Can the ph level be too high?

[sarah19802]

Recently I have been having some trouble keeping the ph level stable, and have been adding buffer. It will drop to 8.0-8.1 and I am told it needs to be at 8.4+. I also was told that if it is too high the ph indicator will just turn purple. So how can I tell if it is too high. I was reading some other messages and calcium sounds like something I should be monitoring, could that cause problems with the ph level? My sailfin tang is not eating, and breathing heavy, not really moving around either. But my very finnicky yellow tang is doing great. What should I do? Also, need to add that my nitrate and amonia levels are good.

 

[oyam1]

STOP putting stuff (chemicals) in your aquarium.
if your fish only then pre-mix your salt, and hold it for few days. 5gal Q week water changes. lots of live rock, good skimmer, and water flow.

 

[sarah19802]

yes it is true i might be grabbing for the buffer bottle too much. Just got an awesome protein skimmer, new powerhead, and filter two months ago. we have had so many fish die from reestablishing our tank that i know by the looks of our sailfin tang that if i don't do something, he's not gonna make it.

 

[oyam1]

focus on tank, make like the fish is dead.
get back to the basics

 

[beth]

sarah, those pH levels are fine, just don't let them drop below 8.0.

 

[sarah19802]

well my fish died this morning, i am not quite sure why. three days prior to this we got more live rock and rearranged the tank a bit....maybe the tang thought it was too crowded (5 other fish) any thoughts?

 

[oyam1]

sorry about fish.
i lost one today to.
3 going back to home tank and out of QT today.
3 still in QT and will do antibiotics today.
if they make it ill have to sell or trade.
to many large fish = to much stress = dead fish.
i feel if fish are eating and labs look good just keep cool and see how they do.
sometimes less is best!!!

 

[joec21]

who told you it needs to be at 8.4+?:scared:

 

[viper_930]

The pH should be between 8.0-8.3. Not 8.4+