PH Way out

[Crookster]

My PH was way too low at nearly 5. I lost my PH kit and couldn't test, so I took a sample down to my LFS where they did it for me.

I've since raised it back 6.5 (over 2 days). The problem i now have is a Ram and a silver dollar seem to have fin rot. It's either that or i have a fin nipper. I think it is fin rot as a result of the PH being out.

Is there anyway to treat this without using medications. i don't like using them anyway and can't get to a LFS for a few days.

Do you think it is fin rot due to the PH? And how can I treat it?

 

[Jaded_Pulse]

That's quite a change in pH even over 2 days (IMO)....I've found that rapid changes & exposure to pHs they're not use to can give fins a ragged appearance (since it effectively eats away at them for a bit). Alternatively, it could be finrot brought on by the stress of such a large pH change.

Rather than playing with pH chemicals, try to figure out (& fix) whatever it is in your tank is making it so low (assuming it's higher out of the tap) - this could be bogwood, driftwood, etc.. If there's something in the tank lowering the pH, adding chemicals will only make it go up & down, stressing the fishies out even more, so try to stabilise that ASAP, preferably without chemicals.

As for finrot - I'm not really experienced with that, but I'd say if you can't make it to the lfs for a couple of days but have melafix on hand, try adding that, see if it helps if it is just from the pH (unless like a whole fin or something's been eaten away, then u need to get meds quickly).

Anyways, goodluck, hope u & ur fishies r feeling better soon

 

[Crookster]

I thought they were stressed b4 I put the PH back up, thats why I checked it.

I have added some bogwood about 2 weeks ago for my plecs, I bet thats done it!

I have some crushed shell, i'll put some of that in.

 

[gixer]

whats you kh?

what is your ph normally?

 

[Jaded_Pulse]

Yep, the bogwood will be your problem Did you soak it before putting it in the tank? If not, it'll have a massive amount of tannic acid still in it - u'll need to take it out & soak it in a (dechlorinated) bucket of water with (dechlorinated) water changes every few days for around a month (or until the water stops turning brown) I believe.

Rather than playing with buffers, you're probably better off getting out as much tannic acid from the wood as possible, and doing small water changes every couple of days until the pH is relatively stable (this is in the tank). Unless you really know what you're doing with the crushed shell, IMO this is just another thing waiting to go wrong.......but I don't have bogwood in my tank, so hopefully someone with it will come along soon & advise you maybe on the shells or whatever. Goodluck.