Hey,
I began adjusting my pH levels yesterday. My tap water's around 8.2, and when it spiked to 7.8, I noticed some fin rot issues. I've been using a neutral buffer, which has worked for me in the past. My f1 fish have handled pH 7.8 okay, but they don't seem to like it higher. I've got 3 dkh and very low gh. I brought the pH down to 7.9 and now my fish won't eat - they just stopped overnight. Coincidence? Any ideas? Ammonia and nitrite are 0, nitrates are almost 0 due to all the water changes. My filter's well-established.
Started to lower pH, all fish stopped eating.
Re: Started to lower pH, all fish stopped eating.
Re: Started to lower pH, all fish stopped eating.
Hi Erik, discus are generally more tolerant of upward pH swings than downward. Your fish are showing you this. I'm also concerned that the neutral buffer might be causing pH instability. Monitoring with a pH meter would be a good idea.
Hi Erik, discus are generally more tolerant of upward pH swings than downward. Your fish are showing you this. I'm also concerned that the neutral buffer might be causing pH instability. Monitoring with a pH meter would be a good idea.
Re: Started to lower pH, all fish stopped eating.
Re: Started to lower pH, all fish stopped eating.
Hi Erik, I think you're on the right track with the pH adjustment, but perhaps the speed of the change is what's causing the issue. I was concerned the buffer might be introducing some instability, but you've mentioned the pH is holding at 7.9, so that's likely not the problem. Glad to hear they've started eating again, and I agree, a slower approach might be the way to go.
Hi Erik, I think you're on the right track with the pH adjustment, but perhaps the speed of the change is what's causing the issue. I was concerned the buffer might be introducing some instability, but you've mentioned the pH is holding at 7.9, so that's likely not the problem. Glad to hear they've started eating again, and I agree, a slower approach might be the way to go.
Re: Started to lower pH, all fish stopped eating.
Re: Started to lower pH, all fish stopped eating.
Why alter pH levels at all?
Why alter pH levels at all?
Re: Started to lower pH, all fish stopped eating.
Re: Started to lower pH, all fish stopped eating.
I'm not convinced that a pH of 7.8 - 8.0 is a major issue. My own discus have been doing great in this range, even breeding successfully. Of course, high TDS has its own challenges - the eggs calcify and harden before they can hatch.
In my opinion, stability is key. A consistent pH, whether high or low, is better than trying to force a change.
I'm not convinced that a pH of 7.8 - 8.0 is a major issue. My own discus have been doing great in this range, even breeding successfully. Of course, high TDS has its own challenges - the eggs calcify and harden before they can hatch.
In my opinion, stability is key. A consistent pH, whether high or low, is better than trying to force a change.
Re: Started to lower pH, all fish stopped eating.
Re: Started to lower pH, all fish stopped eating.
I've heard of folks successfully keeping discus in water with pH levels above 8, no issues. Never come across fin rot being caused by low alkalinity levels, though. You've tested your source water for ammonia, right?
I've heard of folks successfully keeping discus in water with pH levels above 8, no issues. Never come across fin rot being caused by low alkalinity levels, though. You've tested your source water for ammonia, right?
Re: Started to lower pH, all fish stopped eating.
Re: Started to lower pH, all fish stopped eating.
Originally posted by Deepsea
Bunch of folks here keep discus in water with pH >8. I have never heard of fun rot caused by low levels of alkalinity. Have you tested your source water for ammonia?
My water parameters have always been stable - ammonia and nitrite at 0. Dieter Untergasser's Handbook of fish diseases mentions high pH as a possible cause for fin rot. A reputable breeder and seller in South Sweden, with 30 years of discus experience, also agrees that high pH can contribute to fin rot issues.
Originally posted by Deepsea
Bunch of folks here keep discus in water with pH >8. I have never heard of fun rot caused by low levels of alkalinity. Have you tested your source water for ammonia?
My water parameters have always been stable - ammonia and nitrite at 0. Dieter Untergasser's Handbook of fish diseases mentions high pH as a possible cause for fin rot. A reputable breeder and seller in South Sweden, with 30 years of discus experience, also agrees that high pH can contribute to fin rot issues.
Re: Started to lower pH, all fish stopped eating.
Re: Started to lower pH, all fish stopped eating.
I was thinking it might be beneficial to test the source water for ammonia to rule out any potential issues. The 8.2 pH reading from your tap isn't extremely high, and the 0.4 increase seems relatively minor, especially if it's been a gradual change. A drastic shift, like from 6 to 8, would be more concerning. I'm just trying to consider all possible factors here.
I was thinking it might be beneficial to test the source water for ammonia to rule out any potential issues. The 8.2 pH reading from your tap isn't extremely high, and the 0.4 increase seems relatively minor, especially if it's been a gradual change. A drastic shift, like from 6 to 8, would be more concerning. I'm just trying to consider all possible factors here.
Re: Started to lower pH, all fish stopped eating.
Re: Started to lower pH, all fish stopped eating.
I was initially off the mark, I realize now that ammonia's toxicity actually decreases at higher pH levels. That said, a sudden 0.4 pH swing could indeed put your discus off their food, but I'm not convinced that's the root cause of the fin rot or burn you're experiencing. It seems you've got a bit of an enigma on your hands.
I was initially off the mark, I realize now that ammonia's toxicity actually decreases at higher pH levels. That said, a sudden 0.4 pH swing could indeed put your discus off their food, but I'm not convinced that's the root cause of the fin rot or burn you're experiencing. It seems you've got a bit of an enigma on your hands.
Re: Started to lower pH, all fish stopped eating.
Re: Started to lower pH, all fish stopped eating.
I'm not convinced pH is the culprit here. My pH is 8.2 as well and I've had no issues. That being said, it's possible there's a water-related issue at play. What's their diet like? Have you wormed them recently?
I'm not convinced pH is the culprit here. My pH is 8.2 as well and I've had no issues. That being said, it's possible there's a water-related issue at play. What's their diet like? Have you wormed them recently?