BulldogWrestler

Well...got back from El Salvador yesterday and learned that all but one of the glass fish bit the big one, and that another loach died. There are 3 ghost shrimp in there, along with the pleco and Angelfish, 2 X Ray Tetras, 1 Indian Glass Fish, and 2 kuhli loaches.

Not sure what happened, but my wife said the glass fish would just stop swimming and then die. She said she found a loach dead during that time too.

So...I'm at a loss.

I tested the water for the first time since I put in the new bottle of safestart today. 0 ammonia, 0 Nitrites, and 10-20 Nitrates (color didn't quite match either one)

I plan on doing a vacuum/water change today (the tank sure looks like it needs it (so hopefully that will do fine).

I did notice that my pH is very high (as in a very dark blue on the test tube). Not sure if that comes into play. Perhaps I should try lowering it?



I'd like to get everything settled before I restock the tank (probably just go with more hardy fish in place of the glass fish this time around).

Any ideas on what I did wrong here?

Llama

Your water parameters are fine, Nitrates are very safe as long as it doesn't go up too high - less than 20 is allright.

The pH might be a problem, how high is it? Worse than having a high pH, is the pH shifting too quickly, THAT does more damage.

BulldogWrestler

It's a solid dark blue. So I'm assuming off the charts in terms of the API kit.

Llama

Right, so you'll have to lower it GRADUALLY and gently.

Try a 10-25% water change every day until it goes down. Very fast pH changes stress the fish.

Shawnie

also adding a piece of driftwood with the tannis will lower it slowly...only thing I can think of is the ph went high fast as llama said..im sorry for your losses i hope things get better soon!