About 3.5 weeks ago I upgraded from a 10 to 20 gallon tank. I kept filter from 10 gallon on for about 2.5 weeks. New substrate (sand), new water, a few new decorations (rocks from another tank, fake plants).
One week ago I took the second filter off so I could fit on my proprietary hood/light. Tank is eclipse 20 gallon (a gift).
I wanted to use the 20 gallon for a month or 2 as a grow out tank for a new Oscar I want to get while I find a stand for the 75 gallon I got for him and it cycles. So today I go in to LFS to check water in the 20 and it turns out I have something like .2 ammonia, normal nitrites/nitrates, but PH is a dark purple, the guy said something like 8.8.
Just wondering what you think could have caused such a high PH? The only other things I have added to the tank are java moss, black thread to tie moss down and SeaChem stability for 2 days or so after I took off the second filter. Also about 2 weeks ago I lost 1 guppy and 1 lone molly, they just disappeared which means they were lunch for cornelius my shrimp. He has a violent history, has killed at least 5 guppies and 2 mollies in the last 6 months. So maybe some dead organics added to my tank in the last 2 weeks.
Also is it ok to add a baby Oscar with such a PH? I havent found the "right" one yet, looking for a really small one partially because I want to raise it and partially bc it needs to live in my 20 for a month or 2.
Current tank residents of the 20 include: 4 guppies, 2 zebras, 1 spotted pleco, some malaysian trumpet snails (who knows how many really, maybe 10-20), and 1 shrimp. I wouldnt mind if the Oscar thinned out my guppy/Zebra population or even decimated it as I am bored to death of these fish. I love building/fixing/toying with aquariums as a hobby but have not found a fish that I honestly care that much if it lives or dies, besides maybe my pleco. I look at O's all the time at the LFS/Petco and become more attached to them in 5 minutes than all my fish at home combined to be honest. I just want a fish that I think of as a pet, not just a tank.
Sorry this is long but ill sumarize my questions.
1) Any guesses as to why the high PH?
2) Can I add a baby O with this PH?
3) I plan on just letting it settle naturally but what kind of timeline am I looking at if say I do 25% PWC every other day?
4) Will it hurt the Oscar if he eats some malaysian trumpet snails?
5) Is the baby O safe with my shrimp who has a history of being a nighttime/opportunistic predator? Shrimp is maybe 3 inches long, not sure what kind but its clear body, red and black marks, decently long pinchers. (not too worried about the O killing Cornelius as the shrimp probably has it coming)
6) Will an Oscar be lonely by himself in a 75 gallon with only a spotted pleco?
I know 20 gallons is not sufficient for an O for long, but the way I see it they have 10 O's in a 10 gallon in the pet store and there's more space in my tank than that... plus I would be a better owner than the average person who shops in there....
Sorry the long read, any help appreciated.
One week ago I took the second filter off so I could fit on my proprietary hood/light. Tank is eclipse 20 gallon (a gift).
I wanted to use the 20 gallon for a month or 2 as a grow out tank for a new Oscar I want to get while I find a stand for the 75 gallon I got for him and it cycles. So today I go in to LFS to check water in the 20 and it turns out I have something like .2 ammonia, normal nitrites/nitrates, but PH is a dark purple, the guy said something like 8.8.
Just wondering what you think could have caused such a high PH? The only other things I have added to the tank are java moss, black thread to tie moss down and SeaChem stability for 2 days or so after I took off the second filter. Also about 2 weeks ago I lost 1 guppy and 1 lone molly, they just disappeared which means they were lunch for cornelius my shrimp. He has a violent history, has killed at least 5 guppies and 2 mollies in the last 6 months. So maybe some dead organics added to my tank in the last 2 weeks.
Also is it ok to add a baby Oscar with such a PH? I havent found the "right" one yet, looking for a really small one partially because I want to raise it and partially bc it needs to live in my 20 for a month or 2.
Current tank residents of the 20 include: 4 guppies, 2 zebras, 1 spotted pleco, some malaysian trumpet snails (who knows how many really, maybe 10-20), and 1 shrimp. I wouldnt mind if the Oscar thinned out my guppy/Zebra population or even decimated it as I am bored to death of these fish. I love building/fixing/toying with aquariums as a hobby but have not found a fish that I honestly care that much if it lives or dies, besides maybe my pleco. I look at O's all the time at the LFS/Petco and become more attached to them in 5 minutes than all my fish at home combined to be honest. I just want a fish that I think of as a pet, not just a tank.
Sorry this is long but ill sumarize my questions.
1) Any guesses as to why the high PH?
2) Can I add a baby O with this PH?
3) I plan on just letting it settle naturally but what kind of timeline am I looking at if say I do 25% PWC every other day?
4) Will it hurt the Oscar if he eats some malaysian trumpet snails?
5) Is the baby O safe with my shrimp who has a history of being a nighttime/opportunistic predator? Shrimp is maybe 3 inches long, not sure what kind but its clear body, red and black marks, decently long pinchers. (not too worried about the O killing Cornelius as the shrimp probably has it coming)
6) Will an Oscar be lonely by himself in a 75 gallon with only a spotted pleco?
I know 20 gallons is not sufficient for an O for long, but the way I see it they have 10 O's in a 10 gallon in the pet store and there's more space in my tank than that... plus I would be a better owner than the average person who shops in there....
Sorry the long read, any help appreciated.
