Peal Gourami and Pressurized CO2

[Manix]

Pearl Gourami and Pressurized CO2

So I've just started the pressurized CO2 yesterday with 2bps. I noticed after a day the Ista CO2 indicator color changed to light blue.

An hour ago I've increased it to 3-3.5bps and now noticed my Pearl Gourami is constantly at the surface. I'm not sure if he's struggling for oxygen or just skimming.

My other fishes harlequin rasboras, galaxy rasboras, and zebra danios are swimming in the middle. So they look fine.

Any thoughts as to why the Pearl would do this?

I'm waiting a few more hours to see if the CO2 indicator color would change more.

Thanks

 

[aqua_chem]

Are you using your ph test kit for the drop checker or the stuff they come with?

 

[Manix]

I'm using the solution that comes with it. I was told by mutilple sources the Ista solution is all I need. They say it already has dkh4 in it.

 

[mfdrookie516]

I never could get accurate readings with the solution that came with my drop checkers. I started mixing my own with 4dkh solution and API pH test solution.

 

[Manix]

So just in case I tested my water parameters and compared it to the CO2 chart.

PH ~7.4-7.6 (I test high PH too, but the color turned yellow. So I'm assuming its too low to be tested...?)
DH: 9


That puts me somewhere between the 7.4 - 11.8ppm zone on the CO2 chart. Still below the preferred level.


mfdrookie516, So you just add the DIY dkh4 with the API Low PH test solution? How much are you adding of each?

 

[aqua_chem]

Two to four drops of the low pH test solution. The stuff that comes with it is garbage. Don't trust the drop or the 4dKH standard.

 

[FastFly67]

Gouramis are anabantoids or labyrinth fish which means they actually breathe air from the surface. I'd be worried if your other fish are gasping for air, not the one who can actually go to the surface to breathe...

 

[Manix]

Gouramis are anabantoids or labyrinth fish which means they actually breathe air from the surface. I'd be worried if your other fish are gasping for air, not the one who can actually go to the surface to breathe...

The problem is the pearl would be at the surface for a very long time. He wasn't like that before the CO2 injection.

And when its off he would go back down.

 

[Manix]

Just a quick update.

Good news. I decided not to turn down the CO2 injection just to see how things go after a day or two. After couple days the Pearl is back to its normal self swimming all over the tank.

Not sure what happened before, but when he was at the surface in one spot for several hours it got me worried.

 

[aqua_chem]

Co2 tolerance is slower to develop than some other acclimation processes. My new fish are usually breathing harder than normal few a few days to a few weeks when they're first in my co2 tank.