So, while AC was down, I had a bit of an emergency... In one day, I lost two of my Julii Cory cats. At the time, I had 6 serpae tetras and three cories. I couldn't for the life of me figure out what happened. All levels are great (Ammonia - 0, Nitrite - 0, Nitrate - 5~10). Symptoms came suddenly - cory lying on it's side on the gravel, would try to swim and would just spiral around and crash back to gravel. No new things added to water, no new decorations, etc. Finally, I think I figured out what happened... I had done a fairly large water change (30% or even a little more) the night before. I tested my tap water and the pH is MUCH higher than my tank water (probably b/c of the driftwood, I think). My tank water is around 7.2 and my tap is literally off the charts at 8.8. Could I have shocked my cories by adding the different pH water? Also, I want to make sure that I don't do it again with water changes. While the board was down, I made a couple VERY SMALL water changes at a time, only a bucket or so at a time. How can I change my tap water to be at the same pH so this doesn't happen again?
Just to update, the remaining cory made it fine and I recently added 5 more. They swim around in a little school and seem very happy, but I'm still bummed I lost 2 b/c of a beginner mistake.
Just to update, the remaining cory made it fine and I recently added 5 more. They swim around in a little school and seem very happy, but I'm still bummed I lost 2 b/c of a beginner mistake.