Ph Too High

[gmc1]

Well I figured out what's wrong with fish.the ph has shot off the charts.i have no clue as to why.i added a couple of fish a week ago and three Marimo balls but that's it.i have already done a 50% water change.

 

[Byron]

Before we can begin to offer advice, we will need some numbers and data.  What is the pH of your tap water (remember to off-gas the CO2 before testing), and the pH of the tank water?  How long has the tank been running, and was the pH stable previously?  Are there any calcareous substances in the tank?  These would be rock or gravel (or sand) composed of limestone, marble, aragonite, dolomite, lava, coral.
 
To off-gas CO2 from tap water, very briskly shake the water in a jar for several minutes, then test.  You can also let it sit out for 24 hours, but the brisk shaking is quicker and will out-gas the CO2.  This is not done with tank water that should be tested "as is."
 
Byron.

 

[gmc1]

Byron.i re_tested the water and it came in neutral at 7.4 as did my tap water.ammonia 0 nitrite 0 nitrate around 20.phosphate sitting at 1.
This started yesterday when only gouramis in the tank were hiding and sitting low.all fish seem to be spooked but especially the gouramis.i have slate.white silica sand.marsh root and driftwood.one anubias is attached to lava rock.i have around 10 live plants and three artificial.the tank is 300 litres.i do a 20 % and 10% water change weekly.i have trumpet snails turning the sand.
The gouramis are still feeding ok.thanks

 

[Goggy]

from what i can see, the tap water is just too salty. Maybe neutralize the tap water before adding it next time? your natural decorations also maybe the culprits to whats messing the pH, likely the marsh root.

 

[Byron]

Byron.i re_tested the water and it came in neutral at 7.4 as did my tap water.ammonia 0 nitrite 0 nitrate around 20.phosphate sitting at 1.
This started yesterday when only gouramis in the tank were hiding and sitting low.all fish seem to be spooked but especially the gouramis.i have slate.white silica sand.marsh root and driftwood.one anubias is attached to lava rock.i have around 10 live plants and three artificial.the tank is 300 litres.i do a 20 % and 10% water change weekly.i have trumpet snails turning the sand.
The gouramis are still feeding ok.thanks

 
I don't see a pH crisis from this data.  Test the pH regularly, maybe daily, or alternate days, for a period to see if it changes.  Always test roughly the same time of day, i.e., first thing in the morning, or in the late afternoon.  This is because there is a natural pH fluctuation over a 24-hour period that is normal and harmless, but when you want to ascertain other pH changes over time, you need to test when the pH will (or should) be roughly the same every day.
 
To the fish issues.  Which species of gourami?  And are there floating plants?  Floating plants are actually essential for gourami and all anabantoids, as these fish come from very calm swamp-like environments and they need to cruise among floating vegetation.  In open tanks they may be very skittish.  Also, be careful with other fish, as any active species can cause this too.
 
Byron.

 

[gmc1]

Thanks