FishProfiles.com Message Forums

Hi

have lost 3 fish - have done water tests and found it is the ph - its very low

i have an interpet ph up kit - but have lost the instructions - is there anywhere i can download this info from
or
can i use bicarbonate of soda or is this only for saltwater adjustments

thanks

Well how big is your tank? You could add a couple shells and that would bring it up. How low is your ph anyway and what are you trying to keep?

my tank is 100 gallons

i have 6 silver sharks
and 4 tiger barbs
and 2 cherry barb

my 2 talking catfish died and 1 silver shark

the ph is 4

i think the low ph might have been caused by the wood i have in there - should i remove this or could i put shells or limestone in to compensate once i have the ph ok again

wood can change the acidity of water at unexpected periods due to the uncertain nature of its decomposition , which can release pockets of ph changing material from its structure- to be safe i would remove the offending article in favour of something synthetic, and try wood again purchased from a different shop or source.

Adding oystershell can release ph changing compounds too slowly to make the immediate affect required , and if you powder the shell you might alter the chemistry too radically.And if the wood causes a rapid ph change on another occasion , the oystershell will act as a small buffer, but it depends on the quantity and rapidity of the release.

Either that or boil the wood to clean it and pass it on to to a herpetologist who will appreciate the gesture
The only safe answer is to strip the tank of offending material and choose to use totally inert materials like plastics and inert rocks like slate. When your chemistry has normalised you can think about adding bogwood etc, but it should be noticd that experienced aquarists will often soak wood in running or filtered water for months before using it. This can be done with nothing more than a bucket and a small filter or powerhead like a fluval 1, and will save you many such worrying moments and the lives of your fish.

Decorations are not more important than saving your fish's lives. Make the radical decision to strip the tank early , and make sure all wood has time to wash clean and leech out its contents before putting it in the tank and you will have far more long term success. Most fish (apart from the very shyest species) can survive perfectly well in a tank with no decoration or even gravel for an indefinate time as long as the water chemistry is ok and the filter working properly. Granted its much nicer to have a well planted, nicely decorated tank, but this should never be done at the risk of fishy health, so dont be afraid to throw the offending piece of wood straight in the bin.

Last edited by longhairedgit at 31-Aug-2005 10:54

Last edited by longhairedgit at 31-Aug-2005 10:56