randomsam1001 Posted November 21, 2012 Report Share Posted November 21, 2012 hey guys, got 6 swordtails and some are gasping, my test kit says a pH of 6.0, so I took some water intomy local pet store and their kit says 7.0. I am using an API master test kit and ammonia is on .25-0. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smidey Posted November 21, 2012 Report Share Posted November 21, 2012 most likely you don't have enough oxygen in your water. running and air stone or have any surface agitation? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmsmith Posted November 21, 2012 Report Share Posted November 21, 2012 I'd say oxygen too. Ammonia could be contributing. I would do a water change and make sure you disturb the surface when you pour the new water in. If you have a filter that has a return that can be aimed at the surface or across the surface, move it so that there's movement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
randomsam1001 Posted November 21, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 21, 2012 i'll turn it on as it was off before because of the plants. might just turn it on while the lights are off Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Godly3vil Posted November 21, 2012 Report Share Posted November 21, 2012 Why did you have it turned off because of the plants? Are you running co2? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
randomsam1001 Posted November 21, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 21, 2012 thanks, i'll do a water change, set a timer for the air stone and angle the spraybar slightly up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
randomsam1001 Posted November 21, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 21, 2012 Why did you have it turned off because of the plants? Are you running co2? nah Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Godly3vil Posted November 21, 2012 Report Share Posted November 21, 2012 Then I would just leave the airstone going 24/7 if I were you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
randomsam1001 Posted November 21, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 21, 2012 Then I would just leave the airstone going 24/7 if I were you. would that affect the plants? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smidey Posted November 21, 2012 Report Share Posted November 21, 2012 i wouldn't do a waterchange, doesn't make sense to me to have them oxygen deprived and battling with a dropping water temp. just crank up the air and splash the surface water around with your hand for a minute or two. what size is the tank? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmsmith Posted November 21, 2012 Report Share Posted November 21, 2012 Your filter has been off? For how long? If it's been very long you could contribute to an ammonia issue if you have dieoff in your filter. If it's your airstone that's off, turn it on. The plants won't mind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
randomsam1001 Posted November 21, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 21, 2012 125 l Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
randomsam1001 Posted November 21, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 21, 2012 BTW filter hasn't been off. the airstone has been though, I'll turn it on. for my test kit problem, any ideas why it is doing this, the petstore also uses the API master test kit :dunno: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Godly3vil Posted November 21, 2012 Report Share Posted November 21, 2012 The only reason not to run an airstone on a planted tank is if you are running co2 injection aswell. Otherwise it will not make much difference to the plant growth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
randomsam1001 Posted November 21, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 21, 2012 thanks guys Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmsmith Posted November 21, 2012 Report Share Posted November 21, 2012 i wouldn't do a waterchange, doesn't make sense to me to have them oxygen deprived and battling with a dropping water temp. just crank up the air and splash the surface water around with your hand for a minute or two. what size is the tank? Mmm, this is a good point. I thought it ammonia was contributing it could help both, but you're right if it's just a dissolved o2 issue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F15hguy Posted November 21, 2012 Report Share Posted November 21, 2012 most test kits are not very accurate, they are best to give you an "Idea" but still 1.0 difference seems a bit strange, any contaminants in the testtube??? also if they continue gasping for too long after the air is back on, they may have ammonia burns to their gills Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
koti2113 Posted November 22, 2012 Report Share Posted November 22, 2012 also if you haven't done so already check your temperature if its too high can cause gasping Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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