pH

[Pysgodyn]

I've treated my tank (which now, has only 3 mollies and a guppy) with broad spectrum medicine to combat whatever killed off my other 2 guppies. The first dose was yesterday, and I've given them the second this morning.

I've been testing my water parameters daily and the pH has shot up from about 7.2-7.4 to 8.0 by this morning. It doesn't mention pH in the leaflet that came with the medicine. I PRESUME it's the medicine that's caused this alkalinity thingy...but is it harmful to have a pH of 8.0??

 

[isu_guy]

a ph of 8.0 isn't too bad for some fish, it is ideal for others. Mollies and guppies shouldn't have a problem with it. The problem can come from ph changing too fast. If it has been at 8.0 for a day or so and the fish haven't freaked out and died then they are fine.

 

[iggy01]

I don't know what sort of med you are using...... some advise you to increase aeration, which will raise the pH. Have you increased aeration?

 

[Pysgodyn]

Aaaaaahhhh! I HAVE pointed the filter output upwards so it creates a water disturbance - bubbles etc...could that be enough to change the pH? (I don't have an air pump)

 

[OohFeeshy]

A raise in pH is usually caused by...
CO2- Do you use a DIY (or ever proper) system? Also by over aeration
Rocks- Have you got any rocks/shells in your tank?

They are the most common, I don't see why meds could alter pH greatly.

 

[Bignose]

It would be nice if you could tell us what medicine you used, and what you were treating. Not just "broad spectrum" and "whatever killed my guppies."

Please don't take offence to this, but medicating as a shot-in-the-dark hoping to hit something is rather irresponsible. You really need to investigate further the true causes of the deathes.

Was the tank cycled? What were the ammonia, nitrite, nitrate readings? How big of a tank is it? Have you put anything in the tank (decorations, rocks, new peice of equipment) lately? When was the last time you did a water change, and how frequently do you do them normally?

An overwhelming percentage of diseases and problems with fish are caused by poor husbandry. As much as we moan about poor stock and rampant diseases; keeping the fish as stress-free and in clean water will lead to problem free fishkeeping.