tb19

After researching GBR's and Boliv. Rams, I have come to the conclusion that i will get Bolivians instead. I know they're a bit eaiser to keep. Any tips on how to keep them happy?
Oh and i might add neon tetras to my tank as well...=]

COBettaCouple

Hmm.. I'd wait to see what someone who owns bolivians says, but I think they'd most likely make a meal out of the neons when they got big enough.

neverendingninja

I kind of doubt it. They never seemed interested in eating other fish, really. Granted, I didn't have anything as small as neons, but Bolivians don't have very large mouths.

GBRs are fun fish, too. They aren't too hard to keep, just need stable water conditions.

susitna-flower

Both need pristine, stable water conditions. I would always keep your temp UP, as both are susceptible to ick.
As for compatibility it should be ok. Unless the rams are breeding. If that happens you may want to move the neons.

tb19

well the reason I'm not getting blue rams are because my ph is a bit higher and my water is a bit harder than required for these fish. Though i am careful of keeping my water stable. My 15 gal. water quality is always stable. This raises a question. Do GBRs die becuase of the unability to acclimate to high ph and water hardness? Or do they die because of fluctuating ph...temp...etc.?

neverendingninja

In general, fish can adapt to any pH(within reason...they can't live in a pH of 3.0, obviously, nor could they live in a pH of 10.0) or water hardness. They are, however, adversely affected by pH, hardness and temperature swings. All of these things cause changes in their biology that can be very stressful and possibly fatal to the fish.

pH and hardness go hand in hand, and when they change, it causes in osmotic shift in the fish. That is, the fluid inside the fish tries to equalize with the water outside the body. As I stated, this can be very stressful or possibly fatal to a fish. Lets equate it to you soaking your hand in rubbing alcohol for 30 minutes...take your hand out, and your skin will most likely be burnt, or at least extremely dry and uncomfortable.

So, with that stated, SW cichlids can live in hard, alkaline water, and rift lake cichlids could live in soft, acidic, tannin stained waters. You just have to acclimate them slowly, and be consistent with your water parameters. This is the reason adding buffers/chemical softeners to water is not advised by most knowledgeable fish keepers. It causes your pH to become unruly, and hard to keep a handle on.

This is how I understand it. If I am wrong in the least, someone please correct me.

tb19

Yes that is what I figured that most fish die from. I never use any ph buffers or chemicals like that to adjust the water. The ph and temp. levels in my tank usually stay the same. I hardly have any problems. I just thought that since GBRs prefer soft-acidic water I would not be able to keep them in my 40 gallon tank. I might just reconsider getting GBRs.

Butterfly

Excellent information NEN
tb 19 -Theres also some threads over in the Cichlid board. Read through and see if anything is helpful. http://www.fishlore.com/fishforum/cichlids/
Carol

tb19

Cool Thanx!