Rams & pH

[F 1]

Could I expect Rams to survive and thrive with a pH of 8.2?

I have a 37 gal tall with tigers barbs (3), green tiger barbs (2), albino tiger barbs (3), zebra danios (2) and one firemouth.

The pH is high at 8.2. The firemouth, danios and most of the tiger barbs seems to be doing very well. I've lost a couple of tiger barbs for no visually apparent reason. They get less active, seem to gulp rapidly for some time and then fade away.

Now I'm way off topic and not really talking about cichlids anymore.

Everything I read about Rams says they like slightly acidic water, pH less than 7, unlike most other cichlids I read about.

F1

 

[Rudy2860]

i always thought most ciclids went for lower pH, rams i think can tolerate the mid 7's but any higher than that i think could be a problem

 

[waterwatereverywhere]

I might get some Rams for my new set-up but it will be a soft/acid water aquarium. I think they like low pH because they're South American, whereas the African cichlids prefer hard water with a higher pH. They are apparently quite sensitive to water they don't like so I'm not sure they'd like that high a pH. Also they're pretty timid, I wonder if the barbs would rough them up a bit??

But that's only my understanding - I've never kept them, so hopefully those who have will be able to give you advice from experience.

 

[F 1]

My naturally high pH well water keeps leading me in the direction of cichlids and dwarf species in particular because I'm working with a 37 gal tank.

Kribs are also an option. I just have to watch my stocking level.

The firemouth seems comfortable with the pH.

F1

 

[smileandnod]

If by 'naturally high PH' you mean above 7, then this is not suitable water for South American Cichlids. THey come from acidic water with a oh of less than 7, and in some cases as low as 4.5!

IIRC some types of African Cichlids would do well in high ph water.

Ian.