Terry, Beth, or Ed please help...

[katherine]

I don't know if you remember my situation, but here it is again. I have had my trunk cubicus and a perc. clown (both about 1")in a 20 gl QT set up to treat ich with hypo. since May 2nd. Both were cured before I had to introduce (May 20)my new fish, a yellow tang and a porc.puffer (given to me as a gift) also infected with ich. All the fish vary between 1 and 1 1/2 inches. I've had problems maintaining a safe pH, it is now below 7.8 (do not know exactly where since the FastTest kit only measures from 7.8).
How do I maintain pH at 8.0-8.2 if I'm using distilled water which I understand lowers pH.
On 5/15 I did an immediate water change (6 gallons) when nitrites reached 0.6 and ammonia 0.1, changed the carbon, added 2 capfuls of Cycle Nitro-bact.; On 5/17 I did another 5 gallon change because ammonia was still at 0.1, and nitrite at 0.3.; on 5/20 I did a 6 gallon change and introduced the new fish that were in the tupperware container, and added 1 capful of Cycle.
Today 5/21, I just checked the para. and readings are:
pH below 7.8
S.G. 1.009
Temp. 77
Ammonia 0.1
Nitrite 0.1
What do I do to increase pH? The fish do not seem stressed, are eating well (I dropped feedings to once a day), swimming around nicely, nice colorations. Yet, it seems that by maintaining the low pH, something eventually will happen to them. I also can't seem to make ammonia and nitrite 0.
Again, I'm sorry it is so long.
Thanks for your help in advance. Katherine
<img src="graemlins//confused.gif" border="0" alt="[confused]" />

 

[katherine]

Ed,
Won't using the buffer cause the ammonia that is already present to become more toxic?
I used the buffer once already on May 14, and the next day was when my trites went up to 0.6 and ammonia to 0.1
I also did not know the Cycle Nitro. bact. was an ammo-lock product. I was told to use it to keep the ammonia and trites down with an immature filter.
Thanks <img src="graemlins//confused.gif" border="0" alt="[confused]" />

 

[beth]

I know this a hassle, but I'd say do whatever you need to do to lower that ammonia...which may mean water changes 2x a day. You can add a cup full of your substrate from the main tank to help with the cycle. Do you have a protein skimmer on the hospital tank? Are you vacuuming the bottom of your tank daily?
The bacteria in a bottle, I don't believe has ammonia-loc in it, but read the back of the instruction panel to see what it does. Raising Ph does not cause more ammonia, it makes the ammonia that exist in the tank already, more toxic, so, attempting to raise Ph at this point, with the ammonia in the tank, is not a good idea. Get that ammonia under control, then slowly raise Ph. Don't ever raise Ph rapidly. Keep in mind that your test kits are likely not 100%. What is your alk level? Don’t underestimate your fishes’ ability to tell you how things are going in your tank. Keep a close watch, the fish will let you know when things are getting uncomfortable. Just be diligent in maintaining the tank.

 

[katherine]

Beth,
I will do as you said and try to perform a couple of water changes daily, if not at least one. I do not have a skimmer on the hospital tank, but I'm in the process of ordering one since I have to keep my fish in there for so long. I am cleaning and syphoning the bottom of my tank daily.
The product The enclosed leaflet says CYCLE "is a biological aquarium supplement that biases the aquarium towards nitrosomonas and nitrobacter, making it inhospitable for invading strains and even algae. The result is faster nitrite reduction, requiring less time to cycle new aquariums. Dangerous nitrite peaks are reduced with less stress on fish. Weekly addition of Cycle ensures proper quantities and types of bacteria needed to solubilize waste, and to remove ammonia and nitrite".
I also do not test for alk.
I will keep you posted on any changes or questions.
Thank you again.
Katherine

 

[beth]

Yeah, the Cycle is what I thought it was, but check the label again as they have exp dates. If you are using old stuff, expired stuff, it may be pointless to use it.
Don't forget, you can add a cup of your substrate from your main tank to also help with the cycle. Since you're not using copper, this won't be a problem.