Ph Extremely Dark Purple!

[zola]

My fish have been dying a lot, the ammonia and nitrite is nil but the PH is extremely purple, why is this? Is this the cause of multiple deaths?

How can I fix the pv level?

 

[StandbySetting]

What's your Ammonia concentration?

 

[zola]

The ammonia was bad a while ago due to too much feeding but it has all settled again.

I've been testig regularly and doing about 30% water change once a week. All settler for a while but one of my mollies is sitting at the bottom and looks beat.



I have a couple of fish gasping at the top of the water as well at times

 

[StandbySetting]

I'll ask again, what is your ammonia concentration? Ammonia is basic so it is possible that elevated ammonia levels may contribute towards elevated pH levels.

 

[Jinty McGinty]

I'd do a massive water change.

 

[zola]

I tested ammonia a moment ago before water change and it was zero. Nitrite was zero.

 

[This Old Spouse]

It does sound like ammonia poisoning. I'd go ahead and do a huge water change (at least 75% or just so the fish are able to swim upright) and use temp matched dechlorinated water. It might not be the problem but that couldn't hurt.

30% each week is a start, but then once a month I'd do a massive water change and rinse out your filter media in old tank water and vac the gravel or sand.

 

[StandbySetting]

Ok, I'm not familiar with which test kit you're using, what reading are you getting? What substrate are you using and are you using any rocks?

 

[zola]

Using API test kit. Yeah I think it's ammonia poisoning the tank was doing so well until recently.

The guy at the shop said he thought I was doing too many water changes.

Using very small fine substrate which I gravel clean every week

 

[KittyKat]

What décor do you have?

Fluctuating pH and high ammonia levels can cause fish deaths. Stable, but high pH is unlikely to. Water change is NOT advisable unless your tap water pH (after standing for 24 hours) is similar to your tank water pH.

Edit: also, what is your tap water ammonia and nitrite, after dechlorinating?

 

[zola]

Fake plants and just a wee bridge and an Easter island stature.

I used the last serving of dechlorinator with that last water change I did a moment ago. Shops are closed until tomorrow so can't check the tap water until then.

Really gutted about this I have lost 10+ fish in tje last month.

Only got a few left but I don't know how I can recover the tank. Considering not buying any more and stopping when they all go as I mustn't be caring for them properly, even though I have always tried!

 

[This Old Spouse]

I thought that too at one time, but once your tank is cycled and you're in a routine of regular water changes and the fish start thriving, it'll look different to you.

When you get dechlorinator tomorrow, get some Seachem Prime (first choice) or StressCoat (second choice) as this conditions the water as well.

The guy at the shop is an idiot ... there's hardly a way you can do too many water changes. Too few, yes. Too many? Doubtful.

And when you're testing your water, please make sure you follow the instructions to the letter. Shake the bottles as long as it recommends, even longer.

 

[colleen0309]

Water changes are GOOD! The only time water changes are bad is when you have a high ammonia concentration in your tap water or if the pH is alot different than your tank water.