Fast Alkalinity Adjustment = Gaping Mouth???

[RC Anemone]

Will a sudden change in alkalinity, for example 6.6 dkh to 8 dkh within a few hours using unbaked baking soda, cause fish to develop symptoms?

I noticed the first time I adjusted the alk quickly (1+ dkh within a few hours) one of my clown fish developed negative symptoms. Her mouth was gaping open and the sacks behind her gills became inflamed which made her gills look protruding or puffed up. She also had a small red dot which looked like a blemish near her mouth. I didn't think it was the alkalinity adjustment, so after two days with no change I treated her with Maracyn Two. She got better within 24 hours. Her mouth closed and her gills rested normally against her sides.

Just last evening I made an alkalinity adjustment again using unbaked baking soda. I adjusted the alk from 6.6 to 8 dkh. Now the male clown has the identical symptoms the female had a week and a half ago!

Does anyone have any idea why this is happening? My family really cares about these fish and my daughter is heart broken. Please help.

 

[EMBRYOGUY]

it seems you have answered your own question.

any sudden change is not a good thing for any livestock. coral/fish.

if you really care about your clown, stop making these alk adjustments. if nec., do it with more of a gradual slope.


you also treated the clown and made it better.

i really do not understand your post since you seem to have the answers embedded within it.

your clowns are suffering under your own actions.

most clowns die bec of what there owners do, and less bec of what they do not.

 

[RC Anemone]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8259762#post8259762 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by embryoguy
i really do not understand your post since you seem to have the answers embedded within it.

So it is common for clowns to display these symptoms when an alkalinity adjustment is made of 1.5 dkh? The PH took a dip of only .1 and returned to 8.3 and the BS mixed with 1 cup RODI was added 1/2 at a time in the eve 2-4 hours apart from one another. And according to your assumption, Maracyn Two is effective in treating fish who display symptoms from a quick alk change? Doesn't sound wholly right, which is why I ask.

 

[LesMartin]

Did you pour the solution directly into the tank ? Could it possibly be that the solution was directed towards your fish by currents in the tank before it had chance to mix fully ? If so then the fish may have had a concentrated solution blown over them ?

 

[prance1520]

Most swings in concintration of most chemicals in a reef tank will cause most fish stress/sickness, not just clowns.

Just like if someone put you in a room and injected a bunch of (oxygen, nitrogen, co2, etc), you'd probably feel a little strange/sick.

Drip it (into a sump/fuge if you have one), don't pour it. Getting your levels perfect is much less important than avoiding giant swings in water chemistry.

 

[Doni]

Using Unbaked baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) would have also impacted the PH (lowered it). Any sudden change in PH is very stressful... did you monitor the PH before/after the soda?

It is always best to make gradual changes.