Blue Acara with Rams?

I'm considering getting an Electric Blue Acara (or 2). I currently have a 25 gal (aware that's too small for acaras) but will be getting either a 55 or 75 in about a month.

Current stock is as follows:

3 GBRs (as of next week will have a m/f pair)

1 ABP (about 1" as of now)

2 Cories (my question will address this)

8 lemon tetras

1 Golden ram (believe male)

My questions are:

1. Do you guys think the acaras and Rams are suitable tank mates? I've read a lot of other random forum posts and "expert" opinions and I'm getting mostly "yes" or "as long as the acara is not aggressive. The ones I'm looking at are currently housed with Bolivians and a teeny baby ABP. I realize that doesn't mean it would be sweet and docile in my tank. Especially if my GBR pair starts to breed. I would likely remove the 2 additional males (golden and GBR) by leaving them in my 25 gal that I will be giving to my daughters

2. Given that my GBRs will likely breed, should I rehome my cories and go with something like upside downs or something similar, or should I go ahead and get a school of 6-8 cories? Some say when the GBRs lay eggs it will cause war in the tank, others say it's fine. (I'm fine with eggs being eaten or fry being born)

3. Would the acara(s) pose a threat to the lemons?

4. 1 or 2 acaras. I'm reading they are difficult to sex so I have no way of knowing if I'm getting males or females or a mix. I'm not finding much on whether they prefer to be in pairs/groups or if they are fine alone.

I know I can (and am) research these things but I respect your guys' opinions as I believe experience often trumps standard "what's on paper" advice.

Thanks!

 

this would work

3 GBRs

1 ABP ?

6 Cories

8 lemon tetras

1 Golden ram

1 or 2 arcas

if you want another type of cat in a 55 you could add 1 more school or 2-3 inch catfish or reg fish

 

Let me add something, frequently acaras are peaceful with those fish. Ok this may be a dealbreaker,maybe not. I looked at your list of tanks and noticed that it contains live plants. I have seen blue acara destory planted tanks. They may not, but it is a risk.

 

Let me add something, frequently acaras are peaceful with those fish. Ok this may be a dealbreaker,maybe not. I looked at your list of tanks and noticed that it contains live plants. I have seen blue acara destory planted tanks. They may not, but it is a risk.

Currently in this tank there is only one little one, I don't even know what it is. I am going to try my hand at a couple hearty ones though, but if he/she ends up tearing them up I won't be mad and I'll just switch to "real looking" fake ones.

 

I got lucky. Petsmart had two in the tank and they were a mated pair! They had eggs. (Electric blue acaras)

 

Apologies if this is a hijack, how big are Lemon Tetras? I've been contemplating a similar acara add to my 55, but I'm worried about my black phantoms (hi-fin serpae-ish)being food. My BPTs are like submarines compared to the normal sized babies in the store though.

 

Apologies if this is a hijack, how big are Lemon Tetras? I've been contemplating a similar acara add to my 55, but I'm worried about my black phantoms (hi-fin serpae-ish)being food. My BPTs are like submarines compared to the normal sized babies in the store though.

Mine are about an inch right now. I believe they max at about 1.5". They school well and are pretty