I bought a master test kit thus past march. I tested the ammonia, nitrates, nitrites, ph and high ph and the high ph was the only one high, all others were 0 ppm and the ph was 6.8 so that's why I am baffled. I don't know whats going on.
I need help,my fish are acting weird
- Thread starter MatthewC73
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I bought a master test kit thus past march. I tested the ammonia, nitrates, nitrites, ph and high ph and the high ph was the only one high, all others were 0 ppm and the ph was 6.8 so that's why I am baffled. I don't know whats going on.
Well the normal Ph test should be what you go by. The high Ph is the same test only at a higher range. You would use the high Ph test for like Africans or something that would live in a Ph range that is higher then the normal test kit range.
If you test the water and it is at the highest value of your normal kit. Then theoretically it could be even higher outside the kits range. Then you would use the high range kit to get the actual Ph.
The Ph scale runs from 0 to 14. 7 is neutral.
If you test the water and it is at the highest value of your normal kit. Then theoretically it could be even higher outside the kits range. Then you would use the high range kit to get the actual Ph.
The Ph scale runs from 0 to 14. 7 is neutral.
its my understanding that ph swings is not so much the problem but what is causing them. TDS swings are a big problem is the swings are large enough and can cause issues with fish.
also keep in mind each fish can tolerate things differently. some are more sensitive to changes while other won't flinch.
also keep in mind each fish can tolerate things differently. some are more sensitive to changes while other won't flinch.
I've looked often over the years and have never found a study showing that pH swings between 5-10 kills fish. That's 5 to 10, which is far outside the range of any aquarium that I've seen anyone post here or anywhere.
Studies have shown that trout can handle a pH from 3.3-10.7. Bluegill sunfish 3.6-10.5. Perch 4.6-9.5. Goldfish can survive rapid increases of pH from 7.2 - 9.6. Bass from 6.1 to 9.6. Rainbow trout 7.2 - 10.0. Catfish from 4.4 - 8.5. If pH in aquariums alone killed fish, we wouldn't find innumerable species living in waters below 5 and above 10.
That isn't to say pH has no effect over the long term, nor that species eggs might not be abnormal or fail to develop. Nor is it saying that some species don't react slightly differently to pH. Nor is it saying that species haven't evolved in different pH.
It's just saying that (I've yet to find) evidence that it's remotely like ammonia, nitrite, chlorine or many other chemicals as far as being a rapid killer of fish doesn't seem to be out there.
However, what does kill fish are chemicals (e.g., ammonia) or metals, which become much more highly dangerous at 8.6 than at 7.4 that are in tanks and have been tolerated by fish until a rapid climb in pH makes those same chemicals lethal.
Studies have shown that trout can handle a pH from 3.3-10.7. Bluegill sunfish 3.6-10.5. Perch 4.6-9.5. Goldfish can survive rapid increases of pH from 7.2 - 9.6. Bass from 6.1 to 9.6. Rainbow trout 7.2 - 10.0. Catfish from 4.4 - 8.5. If pH in aquariums alone killed fish, we wouldn't find innumerable species living in waters below 5 and above 10.
That isn't to say pH has no effect over the long term, nor that species eggs might not be abnormal or fail to develop. Nor is it saying that some species don't react slightly differently to pH. Nor is it saying that species haven't evolved in different pH.
It's just saying that (I've yet to find) evidence that it's remotely like ammonia, nitrite, chlorine or many other chemicals as far as being a rapid killer of fish doesn't seem to be out there.
However, what does kill fish are chemicals (e.g., ammonia) or metals, which become much more highly dangerous at 8.6 than at 7.4 that are in tanks and have been tolerated by fish until a rapid climb in pH makes those same chemicals lethal.
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I just tested everything again and everything tested good and my ph is now 7.0 so I cant figure them out. I will keep a close eye on them. They still get up and move around some but it worries me when I see them laying down like that, its not normal behavior. I will keep everyone updated. Thanks for the help
A pH swing up to the 8s, should not have an effect on managuense (unless there is something else going on with the water in the tank). The lakes they come from in Nicaragua can have pH near 9, yet in the rainy season in smaller bodies of water they inhabit, can drop significantly. I used to add low pH rain water to my tanks to induce them to spawn (my normal pH was in the high 7s, low 8s)
Where i used to live (near Lake Michigan), pH and alkalinity would often skyrocket in spring during lake turnover when certain nutrients sequestered in the substrate over winter were disturbed and released.
You may wonder, how this relates to an aquarium.
Have you disturbed the substrate lately, after a long period of calm?
Vacuumed the substrate, after not vacuuming in a long time?
Have you added aragonite or a calcium based rock, something like Texas Holey?
These both could contribute to elevated pH.
A "good" pH is relative fr the fish you keep. Just because its 6.8 doesn't;t make it good, or bad.
If the water in your tap is 7.4, but drops down to the 6pH range, that may "not" be good.
It may be that the fish urine i(uric acid) n the tank is overwhelming the new waters buffering capacity to maintain 7.4, and you need more frequent water changes to maintain stability.
Where i used to live (near Lake Michigan), pH and alkalinity would often skyrocket in spring during lake turnover when certain nutrients sequestered in the substrate over winter were disturbed and released.
You may wonder, how this relates to an aquarium.
Have you disturbed the substrate lately, after a long period of calm?
Vacuumed the substrate, after not vacuuming in a long time?
Have you added aragonite or a calcium based rock, something like Texas Holey?
These both could contribute to elevated pH.
A "good" pH is relative fr the fish you keep. Just because its 6.8 doesn't;t make it good, or bad.
If the water in your tap is 7.4, but drops down to the 6pH range, that may "not" be good.
It may be that the fish urine i(uric acid) n the tank is overwhelming the new waters buffering capacity to maintain 7.4, and you need more frequent water changes to maintain stability.
