If PH is creeping up, is it an indication of high ammonia levels?

[Innesfan]

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We have two fancy lionheads. One is 4 1/2" and the other is around 3"

Actually, you have two Red Cap Orandas, not Lionheads. With long-tailed goldfish such as your Orandas if your water parameters go awry you will see it first affect the caudal fins which will either become ragged or red-streaked when water conditions are compromised.

Regarding your sponge, it should take years for it to degrade so I doubt that is what's happening--if it's actually a sponge and not some other sort of filter media.

 

[MaloK]

I haven't found any sponge filters, other than power boxes...

When you say sponge filter... Most of the time it means an air powered sponge or box... Cant find anything from nicrew under that name....

Keeping up the water changes until you get the ammonia test is the safest way to go.

But... Fish in cycling can become a water changing sport... I did it more than once with larger goldfish than that... And it can take months.

It's long and frequent, but it's worth going trough clean... Having an aquarium deciding how you spend your time for a while, is not fun... but the rewards will be tremendous.

Keep it sane, Don't feed too much... You're not in a hurry getting these to softball size... Let the environment catch up...

Having a small tank with big happy goldfish, Makes others jealous most of the time, loll.

 

[RobVG]

Actually, you have two Red Cap Orandas, not Lionheads. With long-tailed goldfish such as your Orandas if your water parameters go awry you will see it first affect the caudal fins which will either become ragged or red-streaked when water conditions are compromised.

Regarding your sponge, it should take years for it to degrade so I doubt that is what's happening--if it's actually a sponge and not some other sort of filter media.

Thanks for the species clarification. New to goldfish and they were sold as Lionheads.