Another Death In The Family

[conks]

Gutted,

We've had another death - a clown barb.

He was with me for around 3 months.

I've asked this many, many times before but I am having amazing difficulty in getting the Ph level in the tank right, this has been like this for around 12 months +.

I have a Juwel 40 gallon start tank with:

2 Plectos
2 Clown Barbs
2 Guppies

The Ph is currently 7.2.

I change water every week. I remove arguably 50% of the water in the changes.

In the past, I used Ph Down & other stuff without success, so, on the advice of other members, decided to "go natural" without chemicals & have been doing that for around 3 months.

I've not been able to get the Ph down now for 6 months ?

I'm worried that the others will also die ?

 

[WILDER]

I would leave the ph alone as messing with it will stress the fish even killing them, they will get used to the tap ph, what is your tap ph.

 

[MinGraphics]

I agree they will get used to the PH, do you have any real things in your tank like coral or driftwood, some of this stuff will alter the PH.

 

[conks]

I have real plants only.

I feed a pinch of Tetra Prima every 3 days.

I empty the tank weekly, around 33% ?

I agree they will get used to the PH, do you have any real things in your tank like coral or driftwood, some of this stuff will alter the PH.

 

[diademhill]

PH 7.2 is spot on for the barbs, a bit low for the guppies & fine for commoner species of plec. Why have you been trying to alter it?

What are the other water stats?

 

[conks]

As according top the colour chart, the colour should be yellow when it's blue ?

PH 7.2 is spot on for the barbs, a bit low for the guppies & fine for commoner species of plec. Why have you been trying to alter it?

What are the other water stats?

 

[Tempestuousfury]

Generally speaking, you should try to get fish that do well in your tap water, as opposed to getting fish that you want and altering the pH to suit their needs. Also, many fish can relatively easily adjust to different ph levels, provided that the idfference is not too drastic.

And I, too, would like to know why you were trying to lower the pH when it is neutral and seems to be acceptable for your tank inhabitants...

 

[fish_mania]

to your clown barb

 

[conks]

My tap Ph appears to be 7.2 which I guess answers the question as to why I cannot lower the levels.

Still doesn't explain why the Clown Barb died ?

Anyway, have today had another clean out.

Also purchased a Silver & Red Barb but he's not too happy at the moment and I'm worried that something's going to happen to him.

He's lying still, vertically against the filter chamber & hasn't moved from there for around 7 hours ?

I assume he's climatising ?

 

[WILDER]

What was the ph of the store, and how long did you climatise the fish, can we take a look at your stats in ammonia,nitrite,nitrate,and ph.
Plus i would start to post in the correct part of the forum, as you will not get noticed as much over here.

 

[conks]

Not sure of store Ph.


All other levels show zero trace- did this test last night.

The new addition is still with us but is swimming upside down ? He's not moving all that much ?

 

[conks]

Have a look at this small vid clip of the Barb.

he doesn't loo well at all.

I would think that the Ph in the store was around 6.0.

Mine is around 7.2 - 7.4

Click on the link:

http/www.scootai.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/Images/bert.AVI

 

[WILDER]

Ph shock, how long did you climastise the fish for.

 

[conks]

Well, placed him in the tank in his own bag for 20mins, then released.

For future purposes, if th fish shows symptoms like this, what can you do ?

 

[WILDER]

Not alot, if there is a big ph difference when you buy fish it should take hours to climatise them.
http/www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/pfk/...?article_id=392