20 replies to this topic

[dazzabozza]

Came home today to find a couple of dead young malawis in one of my tanks. No signs or bullying, mouth not wide open.

Checked ammonia(0), nitrite(0) and nitrate(40). All acceptable (did a water change later to address the nitrate).

Checked the pH with my APi High Range (7.4 to 8.8) pH test kit and got a 7.4 reading. A tad low compared to my other tanks and I didn't think much of it....... initially. I pulled out (removed cobwebs) the standard APi pH (6.0 to 7.6) test kit and got a 6.0 reading!!!!!!!! (may have actually been lower than that). As you can imagine a pH of 6.0 and malawis don't mix

I've since done a 50% water change, added limestone and a small amount of pH buffer (up). Got a reading of 6.8 and I will bump it up again later tonight. Fish are already more responsive.

My lesson learned. Hopefully this pays off for someone else


Daz

[Cawdor]

Sorry to hear that Daz. How come the pH got so low though? Don't you have buffer (limestone) in there?

[dazzabozza]

Nopes no limestone rocks and bare-bottom tank. I have other tanks like this too but I have a feeling I put coral pieces in their filters.

This particular tank has quite a lot of juvies in it so I imagine the acid and Co2 output is higher than my other tanks. Water change interval is fortnightly of about 40%. KH is obviously too low. Just caught me by surprise tis all.

Same prob is going to occur once I convert over to sponge filters, I'll have to make sure I'm have some form of limestone in tanks plus add buffer.

[Ivan Sng]

In my other hobby, we use shellgrit to buffer the pH... usually work to control pH above 7.2... I am still new to tropical fishes so not sure if the malawis would be affected by the shellgrit... but just a thought... City Farmers sells I think a 20kg bag for $19 from memory...

[dazzabozza]

Some people use shellgrit for their substrate. These are breeding / grow out tanks that are "bare-bottom". Positive is less maintenance required (no need to gravel clean). Negative is no buffering from the substrate as you mention.

Daz

[golden_dase]

Daz, maybe put some small limestone pieces/crushed corals etc. in a fine-meshed bag for buffering?

[dazzabozza]

In the filter or tank Kev? Most tanks will be air driven sponges eventually. I don't mind adding small limestone rocks to the tanks. Will prob help with territory claim, breeding etc too.

Daz

[golden_dase]

Add to the tank coz you're only running sponge filters. Just like adding a bag of peat-moss to soften water, but opposite...
Go raid your missus's drawers for some pantyhose to use as a fine-meshed bag! LOL!

[dazzabozza]

Go raid your missus's drawers for some pantyhose

Good idea... coz I wouldn't want to use my own ones! lol

[golden_dase]

Yeah, don't waste them Daz. You'll need them for your annual march at the Mardi Gras!

[Fox]

Good idea... coz I wouldn't want to use my own ones! lol

Good come back LOL.

Even better why not use Aquasonic Riftlake salts? Cheap and do the job, Ask Tim, he bought my 20kg bucket from me.

[dazzabozza]

Hey Az

Lake salts are for GH yeah? I need KH. Or does it do both? The Seachem ones are seperate. Dunno about Aquasonic.


Daz

[Krystal]

Im sure we can help you out Daz....

[dazzabozza]

I'm actually all ok for both buffers and lake salts at the moment. The tank above was only dosed with the lake salts as I "assumed" the pH/KH was fine. This is the first time any of my tanks has dropped under pH 7.8.

Buffer is Seachem.

Lake salts are Aquotix's own blend which I'm having good results with (especially in my tropheus tanks).


Daz

[Krystal]

Yes Aquasonics Rift Lakes Salts only do GH.....Their KH Generator does KH

[Mr_docfish]

Lake salts are Aquotix's own blend which I'm having good results with (especially in my tropheus tanks).

When the $eachem buffer runs out, I have perfected the Tang Buffer - same as $eachem - but lots cheaper - using it now with my salts on the cichlid tank display (now has Emperor cichlids in it)... it has taken me a while, but I got it 100% right now.

[Fox]

Price? Quantity?

Your right when you say $eachem, Its costing way too much to dose a 850ltr tank even with staff discount

[Mr_docfish]

Price? Quantity?

I'll let you know when I have it registered and packaged..... for now it is our little secret, don't tell anyone else.....

[golden_dase]

I thought you build tanks at the back, Ollie! Didn't know you also have a chemical workshop back there too!

[Krystal]

He is a madman! He is not called Mr_docfish for nothing.....