learning the hard way

[Oldhead]

Well I lost my first fish. My white comet died last night. Everything seemed normal, they are all eating and acting normal. Picked him out this morning as soon as I found him. No visable signs of damage or disease. So I got to googling. Found that I needed to test for hardness and alkalinity. Just tested everything else(all normal). Well they were both way low, so I guess I'm lucky I only lost the 1 fish. Also found that the floating algea that I been having is a bad sign of the 2 being low. As of now I'm doing the 1/3 cup baking soda per 1000 gal treatment. hopefully in a couple days everything will be within normal perameters.

 

[stroppy]

oh sorry to hear about whitey .... i do hope the others will be allight ...

 

[Oldhead]

Me too. Just was out checking on them and they all look to be happy. Really upset me to lose one. I make it a point to trim the dead plant leaves, test the water, and keep the filter clean.

 

[DrDave]

What did your PH test at? I get some floating algae but only in the heat of the day.

 

[Oldhead]

ph is 7.4 and thats when i get the algea. Goes away over night.

 

[DrDave]

7.4 to 7.8 is about right, give or take a few tenths.
My floating algae is gone when it cools off and the water is pristine in the mornings. Best time to take pictures.

 

[Oldhead]

Yup thats exactly what my algea does. It hasn't been there for 2 days now though.

 

[DrDave]

As hot as it has been mine is clcling up and down.