PH dropping suddenly HELP!!

[UFOsasha]

I have a 10 gallon tank with a dying plant, one goldfish and two of those dark algae eater fish.
I noticed my goldfish's tail fin had a few "torn" like pieces and a scale or two missing on one of his sides.

I checked my tank, PH level around 7.5, ammonia was high- so I did a partial water change, took dying plant out, let the water it sit a couple of hours, and put then ammonia block in.

About 1 day later I again checked the water, PH normal, high ammonia levels, so I added more ammoina block.

3rd day- noticed water temp had risen- ammonia levels dropped some, & PH has drastically dropped also. 6.0 or lower...not sure what to do.
Why did my PH drop? What should I do to correct this?

I think the ammonia levels were high, because of overfeeding, -how much should I feed one goldfish and two algae eaters?

My goldfish always seems hungry, and lately has been moving about more, is that because of the high ammonia levels?


Thanks in advance,
Sasha

 

[black angel]

hi UFOsasha

it could be the ammonia block causing the levels to be read wrong.
stop using it and do more frequent water changes. for a 10 gallon you need to do 50% each week at least. for now though change 40% today with temp matched water and dechlorinator and then tomorrow do 30% and then for the next week do 25% each day. check the levels each day until they are back to normal.
how do you clean out the filter? if its a sponge it should be done in old tank water or clean dechlorinated water.
take the plant away as this can cause nitrate problems and replace it with a couple of new ones or artificial ones so the gf cant eat them.
as you have algae eaters they may not take kindly to the salt, have you anywhere else you can put them for a week?
the fish is sick now because the water has degraded so to help him heal add 1 teaspoon of aquarium salt per gallon and replace with every water change. add it to a bit of boiled water to dissolve first. i'm afraid its going to be a lot of work for a week or so but it will be worth it.

as for feeding, give him as much as he can eat quickly within two minutes and just once a day is fine. also give him a boiled squashed pea as a treat once or twice a week. freeze dried foods such as tubifex and bloodworm in small quantities will give your fish some rhoughage too.
i would also recommend you get a gravel vac for the tank as gf are very messy fish.

 

[UFOsasha]

Thanks for responding!
I use a gravel vac and undergravel filter.
I also have a power filter- with a cloth cartridge with charcoal in the middle.
I have air bubbles running along both sides of the tank, and set up those square charcoal boxes where th air comes out.

I have one question about the salt.
Should I start putting that in today or wait until next week during the 25% water changes?
I bought a separate tank for my algae eaters.
Thanks for the help!!!
I've my fish for about two years now and not many problems until now (we recently moved- so I had to take the tank down).
Sasha