PLEASE help - newbie

[will1974]

someone please can you give me some info, i checked my tank today and noticed that a guppy, a bubblebee fish and my red tailed shark were all dead, i tested the Ph, it was low 4.5-5. I've done a half tank water change. what else can i do to improve now and in the future.

 

[Inchworm]

Hi will1974

Welcome to the forum.

I'm going to move your thread to the Emergencies section so it will get the attention you need.

Meanwhile, it would help us to help you if you could tell us about your tank. What are the readings for ammonia, nitrIte and nitrAte? How big is your tank and what other fish are in there will help, too.

This is a very friendly forum and people will help you if they can.

 

[Angel Lady]

you could add some baking soda it will slowly raise your ph wothout harming your fish and without adding chemicals

 

[suemack]

hi will - welcome to the forum

sorry to hear about your problems

the other thing that would help is to tell us how long the tanks been set up, what sort of filtration you have, is the tank planted and do you have wood such as bogwood as a decoration. Also - could you test the pH of the water out of the tap and post that too please.

In the meantime keep doing w/changes....but not too much at a time - bout 20 - 25% so as not to alter the pH too rapidly. If it changes too quickly the fish can go into shock........oh and can you check to make sure there are no dead fish or patches of uneaten food hidden behind one of the decorations.

keep posting - this is a very good place to come when you have a problem

sue

 

[will1974]

Thanks all for the suport, the tank is a 160 litre tank, it has some bogwood and half a dozen plants (real), i have 3 gourami, 4 mollies, some swordtails now 1 guppy, 3 lemon tetras and a large plec, the tanks been going since August 2003, it has just the normal pump for fitration.
Should i have more oxygen going into the tank ??

 

[suemack]

hi again will

adding extra oxygen certainly may help, and won't hurt, and could take the bogwood out until you get the pH sorted as this can lower pH.

When you say normal pump filter - is that a hang on back filter, internal or what - and what size. It would really help if you could post your water out of the tap pH, source of water - city supply, rainwater etc, tank readings - ammonia, nitrite, nitrate.......and could you describe your usual water change routine - how often, do you gravel clean etc.......and are you running an ugf in the tank.

all these questions....sorry but the answers will help us to understand what is going on in the tank

what was the pH after doing that half tank water change and how did the fish cope with it?

keep posting

sue