Big problem
Okay Matt, Let’s get to the bottom of just what’s going on with your water, so that you can understand it, but I would like to reiterate that pH 7.6 is not unduly high and should be of little concern.
I’ll begin by addressing your tap water. Most well water has a concentration of CO2 which, when you first take a reading of it, will indicate a pH of lower than its “normal” pH level. A “normal” pH level of your well water is when this CO2 has been off-gased. Only adfter that time, will you get a true (normal) pH reading of your water. Before this CO2 is off-gased, your water will always read lower in pH.
Your addition of pH Down broke the alklinity (buffering capacity — KH) of you water, which appears (without having any test results) to possibily be on the low - moderate side. By replacing 25% of this water, you of course removed 25% of the pH Down you just put in, and at the same time increased the buffering capacity of this unit (tankful) of water as a whole (note: not increased the actual buffering capacity of the water, which is constant), since the proportion of the pH down and the tank water is now expotentially reduced. This now raised (rebounded) the pH of the water to above the breaking point of its buffering capacity once again, with the addition of fresh unadulterated water (at its normal alkalinity). Again, please do nor confuse “alkalinity” (buffering capacity) with a basic pH, as has already been clarified.
As you’re now experiencing, this type of stress can cause illnesses in your fish. As they’ve been stressed enough with this drastic pH jump, there’s no reaon to stress them more by added chemicals again. The most effective (and less stressful) way of treating Ich is by using the heat & slat treatment, raising the tempoerature to at least 86 o and adding 1 Tbs. of salt per 5 gallons to the water. Ich cannot reproduce above 86 o, and its population will soon die off. Keep this treatment going for a period of about 10 days — or until 2 days after you see no more signs of the Ich on your fish. Ray
Category: Philippines Internet Koi Society
