Issues with baby Chocolate Cichlids.

[TheNewSeverum]

I recently bought 3 baby chocolates about an inch and a half. I lost one a few days after, and lost another tonight. I have no clue what is going on. They are in a 29G grow out tank with 5 BN plecos, 1 Clown Pleco, and 1 madagascar rainbow. Water changes are done weekly. Up to 90%. Checked the water last night, everything was fine but I did a 20% W/C anyway. pH is through the roof. between 8.4 and 8.6 is what it was at when I tested. I get at least 8.2+ out of the tap. I tried staying away from chemicals. I am adjusting it slowly now. Their diets consisted 90% of Omega One flakes, 5% veggies(mostly pleco food, not sure if they eat it) and 5% frozen food.

I am at a total loss here. I have absolutely no clue what is going on right now. All the other fish are fine. It was just these two. The one who is still alive is sitting in a breeder container away from everyone else to prevent my psycho plecos from eating him too.

If you guys have any idea what so ever, please tell me!

 

[TheNewSeverum]

The last one died this morning.

 

[virgil2090]

Ph sounds high for them,maybe too hard for them to adjust.also in a higher ph,the ammonia if any,is more toxic.add wood,remove shells,you can use a product called ph neutral from seachem.I think 90% wc is too much for young fish.

from cel

 

[Oohoa]

The pH has to be the problem. Wood can lower the pH and so will removing rocks/shells. Before putting wood in the tank, make sure to boil it in water to make it safe for a tank. Try not to add water to the tank as the water will bring it back to 8.2.