Gravel causing problems?

[midasman714]

yesterday i've added about 30lbs of gravel in my bare bottom tank. shortly after, i noticed my FH scratching/flashing continuosly. i did a PH test and it seemed to be higher.

so my question is, did the gravel raise the PH? i was under the impression that gravel does nothing to the water chemistry. and should i remove the gravel?

 

[nolapete]

What type of gravel?

What's the source of the gravel?

Is the gravel new or was it in another tank at some point?

Did you wash it prior to putting it in your tank?

 

[spiff]

It certainly sounds like the gravel changed your parameters, but its not worth taking it back out. Just restabilize your parameters and go with it. It was probably just a one time change of from the introduction.

 

[nolapete]

I'd be concerned if it was in another tank since it could have contained ich cysts.

 

[midasman714]

What type of gravel?

What's the source of the gravel?

Is the gravel new or was it in another tank at some point?

Did you wash it prior to putting it in your tank?

forgot the brand but it was purchased from a petsmart new, and it was rinsed out a few times before i put it in the tank.

 

[Newt]

Maybe some tiny particles from the new gravel didn't get rinsed away and irritated your fish a bit. If the fish is acting normal now I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[midasman714]

I'll see if he's still scratching when i get home from work.

Anyone think i should do a gravel vac and wc?

 

[haynchinook334]

Yeah....do a 50% water change to be on the safe side. and if it did alter your ph, add a piece of drift wood.