Super High pH - Page 2 - Aquarium Advice

rkilling1 · 09-12-2006, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fishyfanatic

Don't worry about the pH. A stable pH is better than a perfect pH. What kind of test kit are you using? How old is it?

I agree, a steady Ph is great, but his tap water is neutral and therefore everytime he does a PWC he is going to stress the fish. His question was why is his TANK Ph so high. (maybe something interfering with the test kit?)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Speakerman

Well 3 months is plenty of time to get an established tank going...but it sounds to me like it's going through a minicycle. This can happen when you remove A LOT of the water from the tank or if you clean the filters thoroughly...or something of that nature to remove most of the good ammonia converting bacteria...

Removing A LOT of water will do nothing to very little to the bacteria. Most of the bacteria live on the surfaces of the aquarium and the filter not in the water.

Speakerman · 09-12-2006, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rkilling1

Quote:

Originally Posted by Speakerman

Well 3 months is plenty of time to get an established tank going...but it sounds to me like it's going through a minicycle. This can happen when you remove A LOT of the water from the tank or if you clean the filters thoroughly...or something of that nature to remove most of the good ammonia converting bacteria...

Removing A LOT of water will do nothing to very little to the bacteria. Most of the bacteria live on the surfaces of the aquarium and the filter not in the water.

Really, I've got a 150 gallon tank that I did a total water change...within 2 days I had .2 ammonia and then came the green water...

rkilling1 · 09-12-2006, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Speakerman

Really, I've got a 150 gallon tank that I did a total water change...within 2 days I had .2 ammonia and then came the green water...

Yeap, really. there is a difference between A LOT of water and a TOTAL water change. removing all the water you risk losing most of the bacteria in the tank due to the surfaces not remaining wet.

green water is normally caused by high light and an imbalance in dosing ferts.

SHIFT_Unique · 09-12-2006, 01:57 PM

well thanks for he information guys. hopefully i make it through this cycling process without losing my 4" black sailfin molly

he is massive

*UPDATE*

i fixed the pH its now at 6.8 and holding

the ammonia is back to 0ppm
the nitrite is at .05ppm

i just did a 20% water change with me free RO water at the petco i work at.

should put the nitrites nearly non-existant. my bio-wheels are browning very quickly so i think im in the green now.

will keep a close eye on it and do RO water changes every other day.

until its completely cycled again

cake walk.

**Fishyfanatic** · 09-12-2006, 11:36 PM

What kind of test kit are you using? What kind of decor is in your tank?

SHIFT_Unique · 09-13-2006, 02:31 AM

using the jungle 5 in 1 test strips

i have fake lava rock and 3 peices of driftwood

and live plants

toddnbecka · 09-13-2006, 02:44 AM

Trash the test strips, they aren't accurate even when they're fresh, old strips are worse yet. Do yourself a favor and get an Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Master Test Kit. The indicator solutions are MUCH more accurate and reliable than dip strips.

**Fishyfanatic** · 09-13-2006, 09:28 AM

Get a liquid reagent test kit such as the one mentioned by Todd. The strips are junk. You don't have any seashells or other types of rock? Limestone?

7Enigma · 09-13-2006, 12:15 PM

They sell the AP test kit at your store. Pricematch your store's website at the store to get a much cheaper price.

Also stop, or severely reduce your feedings for a couple of days.

Also check and make sure you have not missed a fish/large snail death. These can cause ammonia even in a fully cycled tank.

Do you work in the fish department at your store?

SHIFT_Unique · 09-13-2006, 02:20 PM

petco doesnt match online prices. the store prices are higher because there is a labor fee added.

yes i just became a aquatic specialist, but im not the lead specialist, he knows a great deal more than me.

i actually just found a dead cory. thats the 2nd one recently...

i will look into the liquid tests, thanx

09-12-2006, 11:36 PM	#15
Fishyfanatic Aquarium Advice Addict Community Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Illinois Posts: 10,303 Images: 15	What kind of test kit are you using? What kind of decor is in your tank? __________________ Vote for Aquarium Advice 10 Gallon Lake Malawi Cichlid Fry 29 Gallon Community 55 Gallon Community 55 Gallon Lake Malawi Cichlid Fry 150 Gallon Lake Malawi Cichlid

09-13-2006, 09:28 AM	#18
Fishyfanatic Aquarium Advice Addict Community Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Illinois Posts: 10,303 Images: 15	Get a liquid reagent test kit such as the one mentioned by Todd. The strips are junk. You don't have any seashells or other types of rock? Limestone? __________________ Vote for Aquarium Advice 10 Gallon Lake Malawi Cichlid Fry 29 Gallon Community 55 Gallon Community 55 Gallon Lake Malawi Cichlid Fry 150 Gallon Lake Malawi Cichlid

09-13-2006, 12:15 PM	#19
7Enigma Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Havertown, PA Posts: 2,624 Images: 5	They sell the AP test kit at your store. Pricematch your store's website at the store to get a much cheaper price. Also stop, or severely reduce your feedings for a couple of days. Also check and make sure you have not missed a fish/large snail death. These can cause ammonia even in a fully cycled tank. Do you work in the fish department at your store? __________________ 20G High -Currently in tank: 1 checkered barb, 1 cory, 1 BN pleco, MTS, variety of platy (fry, juvi, adult), lots of plants. http://www.photolocker.net/images/7Enigma/milfoil2.jpg

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09-12-2006, 01:57 PM	#14
SHIFT_Unique Aquarium Advice Activist Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 148	well thanks for he information guys. hopefully i make it through this cycling process without losing my 4" black sailfin molly he is massive UPDATE i fixed the pH its now at 6.8 and holding the ammonia is back to 0ppm the nitrite is at .05ppm i just did a 20% water change with me free RO water at the petco i work at. should put the nitrites nearly non-existant. my bio-wheels are browning very quickly so i think im in the green now. will keep a close eye on it and do RO water changes every other day. until its completely cycled again cake walk.

09-13-2006, 02:31 AM	#16
SHIFT_Unique Aquarium Advice Activist Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 148	using the jungle 5 in 1 test strips i have fake lava rock and 3 peices of driftwood and live plants

09-13-2006, 02:44 AM	#17
toddnbecka Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Cumberland, MD Posts: 750	Trash the test strips, they aren't accurate even when they're fresh, old strips are worse yet. Do yourself a favor and get an Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Master Test Kit. The indicator solutions are MUCH more accurate and reliable than dip strips.

09-13-2006, 02:20 PM	#20
SHIFT_Unique Aquarium Advice Activist Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 148	petco doesnt match online prices. the store prices are higher because there is a labor fee added. yes i just became a aquatic specialist, but im not the lead specialist, he knows a great deal more than me. i actually just found a dead cory. thats the 2nd one recently... i will look into the liquid tests, thanx