scales turning black

the other side.... just as bad.....

anyway, just measured the ph of my tap water is 9.0!!! someone tell me if this is legal....

Originally posted by Hobbit6003


A pH of more than 8.0 seems to point to addition of chemicals like chloramine, which requires a high pH to stabilise in the water.

would appreciate if someone can explain this part

my tap water is constantly in high ranges

[Hobbit6003]

Hi Vil,

THe reason why the pH of the tapwater is raised, is to make sure that chloramine remains stable in the water. This is because chloramine is more easily dissociated at a lower pH.

Thus, pH is used as an indirect inference to the presence of chloramine in our tapwater.

Cheers,

Kenny

Hi Kenny,

On the issue of using AC to prefilter the water during water changes, I was wondering if this will remove beneficial stuff such as trace elements in the tap water. Your advise please. Thanks.

Originally posted by Hobbit6003
Hi Vil,

THe reason why the pH of the tapwater is raised, is to make sure that chloramine remains stable in the water. This is because chloramine is more easily dissociated at a lower pH.

Thus, pH is used as an indirect inference to the presence of chloramine in our tapwater.

Cheers,

Kenny

Thanks Kenny

By the way, how long can small aros like these 5 inchers go without food? It seems that one of the affected has very poor appetite and has not eaten for 3 days I think.

[Ronald]

So putting adequate anti-chlorine during water change is very important. I personally recommend Tetra Aquasafe or Genesis brand. They are more ex than all the others but the effect is there.

From the few pics I see in this thread, it seems to me more like chlorine burn on the scales rather than bruises.

To condition back the aro, I oso suggest to put a bunch of Ketapam leaves in ur tank to make the water really black. Unlike adding blackwater extract, the leaves slowly releases its pigment over time, so ur aro will not get a pH shock. Leave it for a week to two, take out he leaves, and gradually change out the water by 20-30% each time. Your aro should be in much better shape after tat.

[Hobbit6003]

Hi Kray,

Yes, I believe that AC does remove trace elements from the water column. That is why, I'd usually use AC only when I need to, like pre-filtering and medication removal.

Vil,

Haha, if you believe me, I'd say a couple of weeks is alright.

The body is adaptable for a short period of time, so that when the aro is sick and loses its appetite, its physiological function would get temporarily adjusted, and that would help preserve the fish's life.

Cheers,

Kenny

by the way,

besides the recommended treatment of raising salt concentration to 0.3% (combining rock salt and epsom salt 3:1).

I am also currently using a lower than recommended dose of yellow power (befuran i think). Is it safe for prolong medication if the fish takes more than 1 wk to heal?

still got a few things can't understand....

if it's due to the water, y issit that only 3 of vil's aros kena? the rest show no signs at all.... i mean not even milder symptoms....

i've raised no fewer than 20 similar-sized small aros in similar manner.... many even smaller than the one i'm having now..... but this is the 1st time i've ever encountered this problem.....

my percentage of water change is really small.... roughly 1% only, can the results be as drastic as wat's happening to our aros?

kenny, if u know dr chua personally, can help me ask him if there could be any other cause? paiseh to call him cos he's like so busy!!

more info:

this morning measure tap water ph again.... 8.8...

the ph of my tank water when everything happened is 7.9....

(method: filled cap of eco test pen to half, insert the pen until overflow....)