ph probs.

Question
I have had my tank for about 2 yrs. I recently moved and have had my tank set up for about two months and i have just lost 1 clown loach, 2 tetras, and 1 guppie.  My eal looking loach dosen't look good.  I tested the water and everything was perfect except the nitrate was on the border line and my ph was 6.2.  I immediately used the ph balance tabs and are hoping for the best. The ph has come up a little, but I don't know what to do I haven't had to deal with this before.  HELP

Answer
Hi Justin. I can't imagine what may have happened either, not in an established tank.  Did you add anything strange or foreign to the tank (i.e. seashell, driftwood, a tree branch, rocks, etc.)? Sometimes these things can send water wacky. Nitrates can rise from overfeeding and poor tank maintenance.

What I would suggest is this.  Take out anything foreign if  you added something. I would go to the pet store and purchase a water conditioner called "Prime" (it is a water conditioner and also helps with nitrates and nitrites...beware, it smells like rotten eggs but it's supposed to), AND aquarium salt if you do not already have it. OR, if you don't want to get the prime, that's fine, just use your regular water conditioner.  THEN I would do a thorough cleaning of the tank, doing a 40-45% water change and thoroughly vacuuming the gravel. When you replace the water, be sure to make it about the same temperature as what you took out.  I would also add the aquarium salt to your tank, using half of what is suggested (i.e.if they say 1 tablespoon per 10 gallons, I'd use 1/2 tablespoon).  The reason I say to cut it in half is because loaches and tetras are a little sensitive to it. But the benefits are greater then the risks to the fish (since you are not putting it in full strength). I have loaches and tetras and I use the salt like this and have never had a problem. Rinse your filter media in the water which you take out of your tank.  You are supposed to do it this way because tap water can kill the beneficial bacteria that you need to stay in the filter media.

After you do this, let your tank sit for about 1 to 1 1/2 hours, then recheck your levels. (I prefer a master test kit to dip strips, as I have seen too big of a difference in the #'s with the 2. The strips are not as good as the master, but will still give you a general idea).

At this point, I don't know why the PH wouldn't be higher when you test it. Just be sure if you have anything weird in your tank that you get it out of there.  If the PH has not come back up, don't use any more of those useless chemical things. Get some baking soda.  You have to be very careful using baking soda because it will bring up your PH without a doubt, but since the ph is so low at this point, you have to raise it SLOWLY so you don't put your fish in PH shock.  You didn't tell me what size tank you have, so I'm going to ask you to write me back and let me know what size tank you have so I can tell you how to add it.  You have plenty of work cut out for you at this point anyway, so there is time. I will watch for your reply and get back to you ASAP.

When you write back with the tank size, let me know if you did put anything foreign in your tank. Or, let me know of anything you did prior to losing the fish that you did. Also, let me know your maintenance schedule on your tank (how often you clean it and do water changes, etc.)

I'll wait to hear back from you.   ;o)