There are other ways to get lower pH, I believe peat moss lowers it some, but I guess that depends on what your normal settled pH is. I have the perfect water for Rams, and only due to lack of research have I not thought of getting them prior. Believe it or not, my local Petsmart has better lookings Blue Rams than my lfs. Plus my lfs sells the balloon belly rams, which is a hybrid deformation, so I am against that, and they just look weird and uncomfortable, poor guys. $2.50 isnt bad. If I do the puffers, I am going to have to always keep frozen food on hand verses just flakes, so I know what you mean with the whole commitment thing for the fish. I hope it all works out nicely for you, keep me posted!!!