Serious Problem!

[Danh]

Gars are pretty strong fish....

Your fish are growing.. and while they do that they start pumping out more waste. It's very possible that your filter can't handle it any more. Like I've told you, I used a cascade 1000 on a 55g with one small turtle and some convicts a long time ago... It sucked....

 

[g_morin]

yeah i know my filter needs replacing im ordering a fx5 this weekend... ok here is what i have back form the lfs with my tank params:

Last Nite
ph. 6.0
nitrate group 10
amonia 0

This morning
ph 6.4
nitrate group 10
amonia 0

so he instructed me to get some crushed coral to try and stabalize the ph based upon my tap water sucking rectum. i also got some tap water conditioner and some filter stuff to replace something that may be passed due for a change in the filter... i hope anyone has some advice....
Also i have 2 peices of driftwood, and i replaced 20 gallons last nite thats why numbers changed... just so you know

 

[Danh]

What is nitrate group?

If you're having a problem with ph like that, crushed coral isn't going to help much. That is also going to raise your ph, which isn't exactly the best for the pbass.

The lower ph is better for them, but since you're having swings like that, you may want to take the wood out.

 

[g_morin]

sorry level 10.... and he said a small bag of crushed coral would be more of a stabilizer than anything... and the driftwood i should take out? i thought driftwood was helpfull?

 

[Danh]

Driftwood is helpful because the tannins lower your ph... crushed coral raises it. If your wood is newer then there could be a lot of tannins in it. Adding coral is battling the tannins from your wood. Just take the wood out and leave the ph alone since you're having problems with it.

 

[g_morin]

yeah i already bought the coral lol... is there anyway to use it and leave once piece of driftwood in? only reaon im pushing for the driftwood is for hiding places for my jurapari, if he has no hiding spots he takes it out on the other fish

 

[g_morin]

oh also my driftwood is def not new one piece is like 6 years old and the other is 2

 

[Danh]

You could leave it all in there, but then I'd think you'd still have a problem with ph. Taking it all out should be a way to stabilize the ph a little. Then with regular/frequent cleanings of the tank and filter and water changes, the water in the tank would hopefully stay the same ph as the tap water.

 

[g_morin]

what is the ideal ph for pbass? just so i have somethign to shoot for? since now i have to keep and eye on my water and i never have before

 

[g_morin]

no the only other question i have is would this ph problem be enough to kill my fish? and if so im glad i have caught it now, however if this is not the ultimate culprate id like to hear what else could be the problem?