So those obscure fish deaths I had last week and the crazy ammonia/pH readings...I think I've figured it out.
My ammonia was fine all along and never spiked. My test kit was faulty. The test kit I purchased last year was a Marine Enterprises International Fresh and Saltwater Ammonia Test Kit. I have no idea when it was manufactured but I got it marked down at a discount pet supply store.
I bought an API Ammonia Test Kit tonight and tested both tanks and tap water with the API and MEI test kits. API said NO ammonia in all readings. MEI gave ammonia readings from .05 - 1 in all three samples.
No more cheapo test kits for me.
I tested my pH again and it is still high in the 18g. My liquid test only goes as high as 7.6 and it is at least 7.6. I also have API test strips (graduated every 0.5) and the 18g reads close to a pH of 8.0.
So I'm going to go with what my LFS told me the other day, that my pH and alkalinity are off the chart high. I'm embarrassed to admit it, but I've been thinking back and I think there is a possibility I fed my fish after I put the cube of dishwasher detergent into the dishwasher. That means there was a possibility I put a few specks of powdered dishwasher detergent into my tank.
This would account for the raise in pH from 7.2 to over 8 (before water change) and the death of 9 of 11 fish.
On the bright side I've got two real troopers who have had the pH ride to remember. 7.2 to over 8.0 into a tank @ 7.2 back into the tank @8.0 and then back to 7.2. No wonder all my fish died.
Two things I've learned:
1. Don't buy old discounted test kits
2. Buy pH test kits with as much narrow detail as possible.
3. Test your pH.
ok, 3 things.
Now that my 18g has no fish I'm going to try and remove all the snails while I get the pH back and steady. Any ideas for killing snails without harming my plants? The copper sulfate does nothing.
My ammonia was fine all along and never spiked. My test kit was faulty. The test kit I purchased last year was a Marine Enterprises International Fresh and Saltwater Ammonia Test Kit. I have no idea when it was manufactured but I got it marked down at a discount pet supply store.
I bought an API Ammonia Test Kit tonight and tested both tanks and tap water with the API and MEI test kits. API said NO ammonia in all readings. MEI gave ammonia readings from .05 - 1 in all three samples.
No more cheapo test kits for me.
I tested my pH again and it is still high in the 18g. My liquid test only goes as high as 7.6 and it is at least 7.6. I also have API test strips (graduated every 0.5) and the 18g reads close to a pH of 8.0.
So I'm going to go with what my LFS told me the other day, that my pH and alkalinity are off the chart high. I'm embarrassed to admit it, but I've been thinking back and I think there is a possibility I fed my fish after I put the cube of dishwasher detergent into the dishwasher. That means there was a possibility I put a few specks of powdered dishwasher detergent into my tank.
This would account for the raise in pH from 7.2 to over 8 (before water change) and the death of 9 of 11 fish.
On the bright side I've got two real troopers who have had the pH ride to remember. 7.2 to over 8.0 into a tank @ 7.2 back into the tank @8.0 and then back to 7.2. No wonder all my fish died.
Two things I've learned:
1. Don't buy old discounted test kits
2. Buy pH test kits with as much narrow detail as possible.
3. Test your pH.
ok, 3 things.
Now that my 18g has no fish I'm going to try and remove all the snails while I get the pH back and steady. Any ideas for killing snails without harming my plants? The copper sulfate does nothing.
