Please provide suggestions to the following problem.
Problem Description:
The aquarium has been established for about 1.5 years without any significant issues till now. Recently, a dangerously high ammonia problem was discovered along with a dangerously low PH problem. 20% weekly water changes resolved the ammonia issue. Nitrites and nitrates were well with limits at all times. PH buffer (Neutral Regulator) was used to raise the PH but it was only a temporary solution. The weekly water changes have continued (change water has a PH of 8) along with the addition of neutral regulator for several weeks, but the low PH keeps dropping back towards dangerous levels. Feeding has been limited to once every other day but is necessary due the size and aggressiveness of the fish. Note: There has been no excessive waste detected in the substrate during water changes. However, the water developes a yellowish tint when the PH starts to drop.
Setup:
The aquarium is 220 gal and contains 4 oscars, a red devil, a rope fish, 2 catfish and 2 or 3 smaller fish. A few of the fish are about a foot long but most are well under a foot. The aquarium uses a 300 gal. wet-dry filter system along with a Mag Drive 18 return pump. The aquarium also contains a Hydor circulation pump. The filter itself also has a UV sterilizer with a pump circulating through the sterilizer back into the filter tank. Note: The UV sterilizer was turned off as a part of the troubleshooting effort for this problem.
Problem Description:
The aquarium has been established for about 1.5 years without any significant issues till now. Recently, a dangerously high ammonia problem was discovered along with a dangerously low PH problem. 20% weekly water changes resolved the ammonia issue. Nitrites and nitrates were well with limits at all times. PH buffer (Neutral Regulator) was used to raise the PH but it was only a temporary solution. The weekly water changes have continued (change water has a PH of 8) along with the addition of neutral regulator for several weeks, but the low PH keeps dropping back towards dangerous levels. Feeding has been limited to once every other day but is necessary due the size and aggressiveness of the fish. Note: There has been no excessive waste detected in the substrate during water changes. However, the water developes a yellowish tint when the PH starts to drop.
Setup:
The aquarium is 220 gal and contains 4 oscars, a red devil, a rope fish, 2 catfish and 2 or 3 smaller fish. A few of the fish are about a foot long but most are well under a foot. The aquarium uses a 300 gal. wet-dry filter system along with a Mag Drive 18 return pump. The aquarium also contains a Hydor circulation pump. The filter itself also has a UV sterilizer with a pump circulating through the sterilizer back into the filter tank. Note: The UV sterilizer was turned off as a part of the troubleshooting effort for this problem.
