So it is definitely 8-8.2 that is too high for both your fish and plants. Did they exhibit unusual behavior the past week? Do you have pH swings (you got to test when the lights go on and when the lights go out)? We have to know KH and GH too. IF there is anything in your tank that raises it (rocks, shells, substrate) you have to take it out, it can't be countered by adding low pH water that won't end well.
65 gallon LJ project
- Thread starter Lalo J.
- Start date
Masoratherina ladigesi was swimming strangely days before dying, while the corydoras were less active and when dying they circled on their axis (sometimes) in addition to breathing agitatedly. I have a couple of rocks hidden in the decor, which I'm thinking might be raising the pH. Here is a photograph of one of the rocks:
It's not possible to say whether a rock is safe from looking at it, take it out and put some acid on it if it foams or fizzles it's unsuited for the aquarium. Another test is to take it out, put it in a container of water, and test pH and KH before and after a week.
You did add new fish recently? For how long have you quarantined them?
You did add new fish recently? For how long have you quarantined them?
I'm going to test the rock thing today, I'll do the acid test. The last fish to enter the tank were corydoras, electric blue ram, and a pair of flying foxes, 19 days ago. I have not quarantined the fish, I regret not doing it with the corydoras, in my opinion they are wild. I am going to prepare a 20 gallon tank to quarantine delicate species such as corydoras or tetras, they recommended me to treat them with ciprofloxacin for 5 days because sometimes they can "bring something". What do you think about it?
I'm sorry I could not keep track of all of your fish, did the newly added Corydoras die or the ones you already had? It does not matter whether fish are wild caught or farmed, quarantine them all for 4 weeks.
I am not a proponent of prophylactic treatments, improper use of medications (such as the one you are proposing, it is way too short) has led to "superbugs" in both human and veterinary medicine. It is normal for fish, as well as any other animal, to carry a range of microscopic pathogens. When fish get stressed due to whatever reason, their immune system gets impaired and pathogens can take over. Proper quarantine and water conditions should in most cases be sufficient.
I know most members here will disagree with this as they will say you not only need antibiotics but need to de-worm them as well cause they might have flukes and what not cause that is the 'big pharma' thing to do.
I am not a proponent of prophylactic treatments, improper use of medications (such as the one you are proposing, it is way too short) has led to "superbugs" in both human and veterinary medicine. It is normal for fish, as well as any other animal, to carry a range of microscopic pathogens. When fish get stressed due to whatever reason, their immune system gets impaired and pathogens can take over. Proper quarantine and water conditions should in most cases be sufficient.
I know most members here will disagree with this as they will say you not only need antibiotics but need to de-worm them as well cause they might have flukes and what not cause that is the 'big pharma' thing to do.
Come on buddy, you can't be sorry about that. I had ten albino corydoras, of which 5 died over the months, and I took out the 5 that were left and went with another local aquarist. These corys (loxozonus) arrived on August 7, but three have died in the last 6 days.
I also do not like the idea of medicating if it is not necessary, they only gave me the information, especially for caught fish. What do you think about paraguard? Would it be a good option to use it in the quarantine tank?
The same applies to Paraguard, not necessary if the fish are fine during quarantine. Just observe them, condition them to your foods (one more reason for quarantine, they might be fuzzy eaters initially, and have problems competing in a community tank) and if they come up with something it can be treated.
Well, I have officially changed my water supplier, got new water today and did the pH reading getting the following result, a 6.6 in my opinion.
I'm also going to add a sump, to improve the quality of the water, but since I don't have any drilling, a friend helped me make a siphon, but unfortunately we are struggling with the suction of the water, surely tomorrow we will solve it.
I'm also going to add a sump, to improve the quality of the water, but since I don't have any drilling, a friend helped me make a siphon, but unfortunately we are struggling with the suction of the water, surely tomorrow we will solve it.
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LJ let the water sit for a day and then test the pH again to see if there is any difference. And I would still say you will regret not upgrading lighting sooner when you see the difference good quality fluorescents or Leds can make 
I have no intention of keeping picky plants in this tank, but I do plan to add a third bulb. In any case, I have invested in tanks planted previously, at least three times and frankly I don't like the idea of doing it again, I ended up annoyed and selling everything; Although I do want another tank, about 70 gallons with some medium and low-requirement plants, and I plan to put Leds there, also, fortunately, here I have aquarist friends who are good at electronics and can reduce the expenses to make a Led lamp.
