Aquascaping for Discus and German Blue Ram

[DoctorTopher]

I'm new to the forum, sorry if this isn't the best place to ask this. I have a 125 gallon that I'll be using to keep discus, rams, and various tetras. Anyway, I'm planning on using a white sand, lightly planted, and using driftwood. I know rams like having caves and holes to swim in. What would you suggest using to give a natural and authentic look? Would large pieces of driftwood be cave like enough for the rams?
Thank you!

[danotaylor]

In my limited experience (only kept Rams in the 80's) they're a substrate spawning cichlid that likes cover, but not necessarily caves. They're like a mini-geo, meaning they like to dig a little and will spawn near cover but not necessarily in caves as such. They will use the plants and wood in your tank as cover, but they do spend quite a bit of time in the open.

[Mattgoanna]

No caves needed. Best to use a thin layer of sand and plants you can grow on wood (anubias, java fern etc) and use corydorus sterbai to stir up the sand and keep it clean.

[Larry Bugg]

+3. Ram's don't hang out in caves. The like a nice flat surface on the floor of the tank to breed. I've found that an upside down terracotta flower pot saucer works best. The ones that are around 4" in diameter.

[brewmaster15]

+3. Ram's don't hang out in caves. The like a nice flat surface on the floor of the tank to breed. I've found that an upside down terracotta flower pot saucer works best. The ones that are around 4" in diameter.

Agree with Larry and the others here, Those upside down terracotta flower pot saucers do work great, I also have used the flat pieces of River stone and Bricks.

al

[Adam S]

Grab several of the 4" terracotta saucers so you can make some bristlenose caves, too. Never hurts to be prepared.

[lastflea]

I had a ram spawn on an amazon sword leaf. I've only had them for a few weeks, but they definitely spend a lot of time in the open, and their colours are really popping, so must be happy...

[Oldcabin]

I have a very similar setup, but 110 gallons. I'm keeping rams, cardinal tetras, sterbias and discus.
Keeping it simple is usually the best bet.....low maintenance plants and a few pieces of wood (IMO).

Excuse the mess -- just before a water change:
http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x110/oldcabin/7E530059-17E1-48FD-900B-A36F0DB2DDB9_zpsssbkgr51.jpeg (http://s180.photobucket.com/user/oldcabin/media/7E530059-17E1-48FD-900B-A36F0DB2DDB9_zpsssbkgr51.jpeg.html)

Freshly planted:
http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x110/oldcabin/IMG_13941_zpssxdqhr3o.jpg (http://s180.photobucket.com/user/oldcabin/media/IMG_13941_zpssxdqhr3o.jpg.html)