Newbie questions about ram cichlids?

[Aquanero]

I had thought of keeping cardinal tetras in the tank, in which case it looks like I would have to go with a planted tank, is that so?

You don't need to have a planted tank to keep Carninal Tetras. Most Cardinals are wild cought unlike Neons that are mass produced in fish farms all over the world (but will not handel the higher temps Rams require). Being wild cought they can be less tolerant of wide flucuations in water chemestry, that combined with the stress of being cought and shipped. It's somtimes best if the LFS has had them a week or two before you buy them so you know your getting the survivors. If they're healthy and living at the LFS water they should be fine in your tank since the water source is most likly the same or at least similar. GL

 

[Agliata45]

I think you'd be fine with rams and angels, and if theres a problem with it at least you learned from experience!

 

[spot]

Excellent... thanks for the tips!

 

[Sidrock]

I had thought of keeping cardinal tetras in the tank, in which case it looks like I would have to go with a planted tank, is that so?

OMG! You seem to be thoroughly confused with all the information overload from those sites you mentioned.

In my experience, Ram Cichlids are pretty easy to keep. However, I have been "blessed" with the fact that the pH and other parameters of the local water supply are perfectly neutral and they use chlorine as opposed to Chloramine.

I think you need to keep at least 6 Ram Cichlids to allow enough "activity" (aggression) in the tank which is evenly distributed to all the fish.

Also, I am glad to read the fact that Neons are compatible with Ram Cichlids.. I am going to get a dozen of these and put them with my Ram cichlids in a 50 Gal tank.

Good luck,
Sid

 

[spot]

OMG! You seem to be thoroughly confused with all the information overload from those sites you mentioned.

Lol I am... I decided to stop reading websites and just go with what I see here...