Need advice for German/Asian rams

[Kinokunya]

Hi people,

Thinking of getting a pair of German Blue rams for my Gex Genoah cube tank (approx 5 US gallons). Been reading around the forums, will be getting dither (maybe a school of 6 neon tetras), and maybe 2 otos if they don't add a lot to the bio-load.

My currently setup (originally used for Malawi cichlids) using rocks, caves and a typical Anubias 'Nana' tied on wood-base from the local LFS. For substrate I am using Gex shrimp soil (1.5yrs old).
Please advice if the above mentioned setup would be conducive for rams too.

Understand that to cater for breeding water pH must be ideal. Have yet to measure my water params/ tap water as I was housing my hardy senegalus Bichirs for the past year. How do I lower my water pH to 5-6ish?

Thank you very much.

[Kinokunya]

To add on (I can't edit my post),

Read from online articles and they discourage the use of chemicals to lower pH (fluctuating pHs/ spikes during water change might be bad for fauna).
As I prefer clear waters for photography, Peat moss/more driftwood would be my last resort.
Anyone can share insights on reverse osmosis?

Ty.

[Aquanoob]

Hi there, I have been keeping German Blue Ram for some years and I will just share my experience in keeping them. I kept them in normal black quartz and then currently ADA Amazonia 2, and they will still breed. They don't need cave to breed as they can just lay their eggs on the substrate or on a piece of round rock or the smooth side of the rock. You will need some dither fish but when the female spawn, the male and female will be chasing the dither all around the tank and they will kill them if they can land their bite on them. I lost before guppies due to injuries from the ram bites. The main thing about getting to spawn is feeding them with live food and I strongly recommend Brine Shrimp. They like it a lot and my record with my Ram is within 4 days from their first meal with brine shrimp.

[lucasjiang]

To add on (I can't edit my post),

Read from online articles and they discourage the use of chemicals to lower pH (fluctuating pHs/ spikes during water change might be bad for fauna).
As I prefer clear waters for photography, Peat moss/more driftwood would be my last resort.
Anyone can share insights on reverse osmosis?

Ty.

Reverse osmosis is basically a process to purify water, similar to distilling water, in which salts minerals and ions are removed. In the case of reverse osmosis, this is done by passing water through a selevtively permeable membrane. Water molecules pass through to the other side whereas the minerals gather as residue on the membrane.

If you use distilled/reverse osmosis water for your fish, it lowers the gH of your water, and makes your water more susceptible to pH fluctuations.

[Kinokunya]

So during WC I shall just use tap water with dechlorinator?
Meanwhile I will test the pH of my home taps when I get my test kit.

Think I will get the Amazonia 2 for the substrate too. Thanks!

[Aquanoob]

Get a pair of normal German Blue Ram as they are definitely much nicer than the rest like the Asian Ram or the balloon type of ram. They are quite reasonably priced and will give you lots of pleasure just sitting infront of the tank looking at them. With the right water condition and live food, they will readily breed and you will enjoy the process of feeding the fry and making sure they make it through the vulnerable period.

[lucasjiang]

So during WC I shall just use tap water with dechlorinator?
Meanwhile I will test the pH of my home taps when I get my test kit.

Think I will get the Amazonia 2 for the substrate too. Thanks!

Yup, i think using normal dechlorinated/dechloraminated tap water will be good enough.

[Ecalyte]

A bit OT but does anyone remember those huge german/holland rams c328 used to have? I suddenly have the urge to keep them.. Any idea where i can find?

[Aquanoob]

Ecalyte, I also like those huge German Ram. I saw them in Hong Yang last year and if I recall correctly, it is $14 per piece. The boss said that not very often will have such big ram as they are used as 猪公 in the fish farm and when they are not that productive any more, then they will be sold to the hobbyist, I don't know how true that is. I never see them in C328 before.

[Ecalyte]

Hehe i actually bought 2 from
C328 last year... I gave them away to my friend when i converted the tank to a shrimp tank.. Now i want them again =(

[Aquanoob]

If you see them again, please also inform me. I simply cannot resist the Ram temptation. I should have bought it last year but I don't have the space for them at that time. PM or sms me at 97509878. Thank you

[Ecalyte]

I was there afew days ago and asked the uncle.. He said after that shipment it came a few more times in the months that followed.. But it hasnt been coming for over 6-7 months..

[Kinokunya]

I realised my current Gex S (the fat one, not slim) HOF is very noisy and water current seems to be going strong for my 5 gallon Gex Genoah tank.
Will rams prefer internal filters like the Gex Roka Boy?

Also, some questions on planted tank. I'll be using New Amazonia substrate and dosing excel, going the non CO2-route.
Understand that Gex S/Roka Boy filter pads has activated carbon. Do I have to cut open the pads and pour out the activated carbon to prevent from adsorbing nutrients from Excel?

Read from some source that activated carbon will not release bonded substances back to water unless subjected to extreme pH change, and just function as biological filtration after that.

[Ecalyte]

Just wanted to share a video I took on the German Rams that I purchased from Hong Yang a few weeks ago!



Watch in HD!

[Aquanoob]

Ecalyte, nice Jumbo GBR you have. I haven't get it yet at Hong Yang, maybe this weekend.

[Ecalyte]

Thanks bro!

If I was to purchase normal sized female rams, will they be compatible with each other? Or are these jumbos just a different strain?

[Aquanoob]

i believe they will match, haven't try before yet.

[Eric Yeo]

Just wanted to share a video I took on the German Rams that I purchased from Hong Yang a few weeks ago!



Watch in HD!

Very nice Rams you have there. Thanks for sharing.
How big are they, they are all males? They don't sell female?

I got a normal small pair from C328, in April and have been laying eggs about 10 times now but eggs always turned White and fungus.
My first time keeping Ram, I like them, they are not shy, colourful and from time to time they fight & quarrel maybe over their eggs never hatch, haha!

Hi Aquanoob, what seem the problem of my Ram's eggs always turn White, I have seen the pair going thru the spawning ritual but eggs seem not fertilised?

[Eric Yeo]

I got a big surprise this morning, I saw a school of fry swimming with the mother Ram.
What a happy day.

[Ecalyte]

I got a big surprise this morning, I saw a school of fry swimming with the mother Ram.
What a happy day.

Congratulations!!! Do provide video updates here on the fries!

And to answer your questions.. The shop told me that the supplier dont sell females