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I've tried, very unsuccesfully, to keep cardinals in my 46 gallon heavily planted tank. I've finally reached the conclusion that I think my high PH is causing their demise, or at least making them more susceptible to other issues. I've gotten 15 total cardinals from a couple of different sources over the past month or so, and all but 2 have gotten severe ich, a fungus looking something (fish appeared cloudy looking, lost all its color), or just mysteriously died. Initially, they were just dying or disappearing. This latest group is taking longer and actually showing signs of illness. Water changes are done weekly, and all of the readings on the tank are good except for the fact that my ph is very high. In reading today, I now know that the high PH can be a real issue for these guys.
The tank also has 2 dwarf gouramis, 3 cories, 4 ottos, 4 small rams, and a handful of platy fry (parents were moved to a different tank, didn't mess with moving babies), and some yellow shrimp. All are doing fantastic, and the tank is very peaceful. It's just the cardinals that I'm having issue with.
Assuming that the PH is in fact causing my issue, is there a way to acclimate them where they will adjust to the PH, or am I doomed to never being able to keep these guys in my tank?
The tank also has 2 dwarf gouramis, 3 cories, 4 ottos, 4 small rams, and a handful of platy fry (parents were moved to a different tank, didn't mess with moving babies), and some yellow shrimp. All are doing fantastic, and the tank is very peaceful. It's just the cardinals that I'm having issue with.
Assuming that the PH is in fact causing my issue, is there a way to acclimate them where they will adjust to the PH, or am I doomed to never being able to keep these guys in my tank?