"Donald Kerns" wrote in message
...
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.

Yes, I have heard that before. I also heard that some other
breed/species/(whatever you call different types of bacteria) do well in
lower pH, that do the nitrogen cycle......... I had not heard the pH of
6 as the breakline though.......Seems like the colonization mixes quite
a bit for folks that run in the lower ranges. Like anyone running 8.4
for years with an abrupt drop to 4.5 might have a different situation
than someone like me that tend to run many tanks from 7.2 - 4.2. I am
not saying that I vary mine constantly in that range, but in my
operation thats what happens sometimes. Its gradual and deliberate. My
bio-filters do not die and stop working.....

Thanks for the article....


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