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I'm planning on getting my 10 gallon ready for a pair of rams. I am nearly done moving all the fish out of it and into a 29 I will probably get blue rams, but I will take what I can get as I rarely see them. I was wondering what kind of environment rams like? what kind of substrate? I have heard that they like to dig, so would they like something sandy? if so should I leave some of my existing gravel in there at the bottom to keep the nice bacteria? do rams like lots of plants? or just some or few plants? or do they prefer something more rocky? do the like to have caves? do they like open swimming water? lots of Q's haha... but I'm setting this tank up special for them so I want to make them as comfy as possible It will just be the rams and 3 otos.

Lots and lots of plants, sandy substrate, warm soft water (81/82F). If you swap the gravel for sand I wouldn't worry about the bacteria, as their filter will be mature so there will be enough to deal with just the Rams and Otto's.
You might not have enough light in a 10g to keep lots of plants alive, so it might be an idea to get a mix of false plants and some live plants who can cope with low light levels.

x

[font color="#000080"]With the substrate go with sand/or fine gravel.

With the plants provide densely planted shelters, as well as open areas with a few flat stones to rest or spawn on.
You can put caves in as well if you want.

Hope this helps.
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Some good dithers for them wold be glowlights. I keep glowlights with my rams as dithers and they make the rams come out. The glowlights also bring some good contrast to the tank.
I suggest black sand because it will let the rams bring out their colors and the blues on them will look awesome against a black substrate and so will the glowlight's orange.
Good water quality is a must and a low pH and soft water will play a huge roll in spawning and their over all health, good luck!

Dustin

Glowlights are an awesome idea for dithers, they'd look fantastic with the rams

Good luck and pictures of the tank once it's setup would be greatly appreciated.

edit: I'm not sure but I think three otos might be too much for a 10g...you may want to post that question in Bottom Feeder Frenzy.

Last edited by Theresa_M at 16-Oct-2004 15:21

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There is water at the bottom of the ocean

ok... so sandy substrate, check. dense planting, check... I dont think I will have a problem with plants getting as the location of the tank gets SO much indirect sunlight that I have an algae problem anyway!

do I even have space for any dither fish in a 10g w/otos?

and so far I have heard that otos should be in groups of at least 3... would 2 be ok? I dont want any more than I really need. I do have a lot of algae though.

No, you don't have any room for any more fish in there. Rams grow to between two and three inches, so no dither fish would fit.
I think two ottos would be fine, as you only have a ten gallon. They are shoaling fish, but you really don't have room for any more than that.

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And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."

I keep two in a 10g and they're quite happy. Otos do a good job with algae and what might seem like a lot of it they'll take care of it no time. Algae wafers, veggies, and algae rocks are good supplements.

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There is water at the bottom of the ocean

cool hehe i shall have to start an otto treat factory on my window sill