Racf wrote:

The pH was fine, in fact the only reason the fish was alive.
I cannot figure out all the pH hooey

The bacteria responsible for ammonia to nitrite and nitrite to nitrate
conversion are reported not to do very well at pH lower than 6.

http://www.bioconlabs.com/nitribactfacts.html

Might also want to google pH crash or old tank syndrome.

-D
--
"When you've lost your ability to laugh, you've lost your ability to
think straight." -To Inherit the Wind