getting new rams and have a few questions

ive read several of the threads on rams in here and found some great info but had a couple more questions/make sure I got some things straight.

first off, I'm getting bolivian rams. I thought about german blue rams but seeing how I'm new to aquariums and read that bolivians are more hardy I'm sticking with them. I have a 47 gallon bow front. I got some tetra safe start tablets that ill put in and run for a few days before I get the fish. I'm putting down black gravel with neon gravel mixed in.

questions are
1) the tank mates will be 1 angelfish, some dalmation mollies, either glofish or black phantom tetras. what ph/temp should the tank be?
2) as far as diet goes for that rams, bloodworms, ciclid pellets and flake for them? is there any that really brings out the color? I assume all fish will eat worms and flakes. is there any other suggestions for food for the fish listed?
3) glofish/tetras which would be the better tank mate for the fish listed?
4)how heavily planted should the tank be? we will have 3 structures in there also tallest one being like 8 inches tall with multiple holes, a structure like some ruins, and another small barrel like structure to hide in.
5) since I'm using safe start, should I wait a few days then add some fish food for a few days also before adding fish?

any advice to really get the colors out of them is greatly appreciated. I just want a happy tank for all

 

Tetra SafeStart is a bottle of liquid, not tablets. You set your tank up, add the bottle, and (according to the instructions, I believe) wait two hours then add the fish. The fishes' waste produces the ammonia that the bacteria need to survive.

Unfortunately I know nothing of Rams, so I can't help you there. Best of luck with your new tank!

 

I have 2 bolivian rams q german blue 4 tetras 3zebra loaches and some panda garras and one koi angel(soon to be finding a new home) in my 34 gal. My bolivan rams don't bother any of the fish. The like lots of places to hang out. Terra cotta pots work really well and my tank is planted moderatly. I don't see u having problems with the rams. They are pretty peaceful

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Welcome to Fishlore!

TSS is, as mentioned, a liquid. I'd use the "up to 75 gallon" bottle. All of it. Here is an article with a lot of useful information about TSS. https://www.fishlore.com/aquariumfishforum/threads/q-a-with-tetra-about-tetra-safestart.58116/. Make sure you follow the directions exactly or it might not work!

So for the questions:

1) Your regular pH is fine. The fish will adapt to your pH and live fine with it. It's worse for them to chase after a certain pH and bounce all over than for them to live in a pH other than what is listed as optimal for them. I keep my temp at 79-80.

2) The Rams will stay fairly close to the bottom of your tank. I feed mine Omega 1 Super Color Cichlid Small Sinking Pellets. All of my fish eat these pellets, which is why I like the small ones. They might eat the flakes if they make it to the bottom uneaten. I have Corys in my tank, so I feed shrimp pellets and algae wafers occasionally and the Rams love those too. As far as the other fish, flakes are fine with worms as a treat.

3) I don't have experience with either glo fish or black phantom tetras, however I personally love the look of the black phantoms. Just make sure you have a good sized school (at least 6) of which ever fish you decide on.

4) Heavily planted is always nice. It makes fish feel more secure and replicates nature more. It doesn't have to look like a jungle though. Mine is planted on the sides with a tree structure on one side. I have driftwood in the center and a log to hid in on the other side. If you look at my signature, the tank pictured is the one with Bolivian Rams in it. I'd have some nice tall plants in the back and around the sides with some hiding structures in the middle. With the rams it is important to break up their line of site so that they can make territories in the tank.

5) Once you read the info in the link about TSS you will know the answer to this question!

How many rams are you getting? If you are planning on pairs, keep in mind that it is almost impossible to tell male from female. When you pick them out, look at the ones that have the best color in the tank at you lfs. Once the stress from moving wears off and they get comfortable with their new environment, they should color up nicely for you. Also pick the ones that seem to get along with each other. Pick the ones that seem to hang out together and swim together. Since it's hard to tell the sexes, if you pick ones that appear to get along they may get along better if they all end up being males. If they are picking on each other in the store, they may pick on each other in your tank too. They are pretty fish and they will go great in your setting!

Good luck!

 

Thanks. Its not safe start is start zyme tablets. It has the beneficial bacteria as well. I'm not sure how many rams I need so suggestions?
also I'm planning on getting an upside down catfish since the rams are near the bottom will there be any issues there?
so total bill will be
6 tetras/glofish
4 dalmation mollies ( maybe more)
2 or 4 rams maybe
1 angelfish
1 algae eater/appropriate size pleco

 

If you use a bacteria additive, it needs to be a water bacteria. I believe the only product out there that has the correct bacteria is the TSS. The other products have a land based bacteria which will kick start a cycle, but can't maintain it. These products have to be added weekly in order to keep the tank going. TSS is a much better product. It is used once and that's it. Nothing else is needed except for your water conditioner. As far as numbers go, you could probably do 2 pairs as long as there are plenty of hiding places for them. If you don't want 4, you could always try for 1m/2f.

 

so I need 3 at least maybe 4? also does my list look good for a 47 gallon bow front? like I said it will have black gravel with some neon gravel mixed in with a black background. we plan on putting a good number of plants. they will be artificial to begin with and then maybe move to live plants a lil later on. will there be any issues with the upside down catfish and the rams? I just want something at different levels of the tank. I'm still torn over the glofish/tetras. I'm gonna use the TSS and add the mollies first to see if everything goes well. then the tetras/glofish, then rams, then the angelfish. that way everyone will have some territory marked. there will be 3 structures with plants. one is about 8 inches tall and about 4 inches at the base with multiple holes and stuff so hopefully everyone will be happy

 

You wouldn't need 3 or 4 if you didn't want them. I'd try for a pair, but if you want 3 or 4 that would work too. I think the Upside Down Catfish will work with the rams, but I've never kept them. I think the stock looks good. There will be nice color in your tank and there will be activity on all levels.

 

Id go with a pair for now or go with 2 pairs and add more structures ie small terra cotta pots they are only 50cents and mine love them and lots of plants. I have a lot of bottom feeders and they all get along

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Thanks guys. Awesome info. There isn't anything for them to get in as far as structures. Well maybe while they are small. So I was thinking of putting some driftwood in the middle. Maybe with some overhang so they could get up under that if need be. Ill plant it moderately heavy also. I'm not familiar with terra cotta pots but will google it. There is gonna be another structure in there but the wife and I were gonna geta shipwreck or like some castle ruins in there but sounds like I need something different maybe that's y I asked about the driftwood