How this happend i have no clue

Fishman1995

Superstar Fish
May 11, 2010
1,341
0
0
North Carolina
#1
I woke up this morning and all my fish in my 10 gallon accept My Acei Mbuna are dead. My pleco was floating, and my catfish are on the bottom. I just have no clue, i did a test and Nitrate Nitrite, and P.H. was high. I have no clue how it go that high.
 

misterking

Superstar Fish
Aug 12, 2008
1,124
0
0
Manchester, UK
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#2
It got that high because it's overstocked, simple. We've been warning you about this for months. What figures is it giving you for Ammonia/Nitrate/Nitrite? Is there anything that could have got in the tank, or that's already in there that may have pushed the pH up?

Sorry for your loss. From here things can only improve. Do a water change immediately to avoid losing your acei (though he's probably enjoying the high pH!).
 

Fishman1995

Superstar Fish
May 11, 2010
1,341
0
0
North Carolina
#3
i added nothing abnormal, just fed them last night at 10:30pm, woke up at 7am and all but him are dead, and readings had spiked from the normal ph of 6.5 to ph of 7.9. could one of the fish dying then being left in there for that long of a time raised it? also the parasite issue, theres alot of them floating in the water and Scooter was eating them.
 

Feb 27, 2009
4,395
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36
#4
i added nothing abnormal, just fed them last night at 10:30pm, woke up at 7am and all but him are dead, and readings had spiked from the normal ph of 6.5 to ph of 7.9. could one of the fish dying then being left in there for that long of a time raised it? also the parasite issue, theres alot of them floating in the water and Scooter was eating them.
If your nitrites and nitrates are high also, your ammonia likely is also. As misterking said, this is the direct result of overstocking the tank, and lack of proper maintainance.

Decay will normally lower not raise pH in an aquarium, so the overstocking issue did not raise your pH. When is the last time you had a 'normal pH of 6.5?' Do you have any shells, corals, white rocks, limestone as deco in the tank?

What is the pH of your tap water?

What 'parasite issue' is Scooter eating?

As already asked, readings of ammonia, nitrite and nitrate would be helpful.
 

Last edited:
Feb 27, 2009
4,395
0
36
#7
Yes i have a planaria issue. And no i have no decorations in my tank you listed. Over-Feeding could be my issue not sure. Although i must say, scooter is more active now, he's exploring more of the tank.
What about the 'normal pH of 6.5'? And the pH of your tapwater?

He's likely more active because a) not with incompatible species and b) less ammonia now being added to the tank.

He still needs a bigger tank.
 

Fishman1995

Superstar Fish
May 11, 2010
1,341
0
0
North Carolina
#8
Im still getting the 30 gallon for him. The Ph was 6.5 yesterday evening around 6pm. I test once a week and yesterday was my testing day. My tap water is closer to the 6.0 level. I didnt add any water though. I did a 25% change sunday and a 25% change monday.
 

Feb 27, 2009
4,395
0
36
#9
Im still getting the 30 gallon for him. The Ph was 6.5 yesterday evening around 6pm. I test once a week and yesterday was my testing day. My tap water is closer to the 6.0 level. I didnt add any water though. I did a 25% change sunday and a 25% change monday.
I suspect your test kit is inaccurate if your tap water has a pH of 6.0. What kind of test is it (brand)?

Do you have well water or city water?
 

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blue_ram

Large Fish
Jun 21, 2008
516
0
0
Florida
#17
Dont worry i want, If mom will let me i may return scooter and restock the tank after i wash it out and rinse the gravel slightly
Do not rinse the gravel, The biological filter lives on everything inside the tank.

I am sorry for your fish loss and I hope your mom approves the 30g because the larger tanks will be more "forgiving" as you learn more about the hobby.

The solution to pollution is dilution. Remember that phrase for as long as you keep fish.