Blue Ram dream turning into a nightmare

[Sab_Fan]

I have wild-caught Ram, so I do use Seachem acid buffer to lower the Ph when I do water changes, I keep the ph around 6.5 ... works fine, and I use such a small amount of the buffer -- about 1/8 tspn -- that it lasts for years

that being said, I'm sure I could stop doing this gradually and the fish would adjust over time ...

 

[koimes]

hey sab_fan

Thats pretty interesting, may I ask what the pH of your tap water is?

Thanks for all the comments people

I don't think my pH is reading 7.5 due to my sand, but I definitely think the pH is reading 7.5 due to my tap water, since my tap water gives pretty much the exact same reading as my tank water. (I tested this yesterday :> ). I do 15% partial water changes every week.

Sorry if this is a nub q but can tap water with a pH reading of 7.5 be changed successfully to a reading of 6.5? or am i doomed with regards to lowering my pH?

 

[gomezladdams]

Ive had 6 for the past 3 years in my hard 8.2 ph water.Theyve bred and still look great.
If you are set on lowering your ph,you need a RO filter.

 

[Sab_Fan]

hey sab_fan

Thats pretty interesting, may I ask what the pH of your tap water is?

my tap is 7.0, and it is very soft (due to a household water softener) ...

that makes it very easy for me to lower Ph to 6.5 (or even lower) using minimal amounts of acid buffer

I'm pretty sure it would be more difficult if my water were harder ... but as is, it is no problem at all ...

 

[Pyramid_Party]

They should be alright. I keep electric blue rams in PH around 7.8 . I also have tetras in the tank too. They will survive but may not breed. Tank bred rams are alot more hardy than wild caught.