Help me please, I'm a beginner and need advice!

[emma09]

Hi, I have a bristlenose that I think has fin rot,I'll try to upload some pictures. Her tail has disappeared somewhat on the top. So far I have treated with melafix and keeping up water changes, is there more I can do? She's in the tank by herself at the moment. 62 litre, filtered and heated. Ph is 7 ammonia is .25ppm is that too high if so how do I lower it? I don't have a gravel vacuum should i get one? Thanks for any help!

[Nabobmob1]

What were the tank mates prior to you moving him? it looks to me like it was nipped.

[emma09]

A male betta. I wondered that but he didn't seem to be bothered with Charlie. But is obviously possible. The two fins on each side (sorry I don't know technical term) look like they are missing fins in between the boney bits though that's what's made me think fin rot? Sorry I sound like such a rookie I should learn the names for the parts of my fish! Thank you for replying

[emma09]

Charlie is now much whiter, do they change colour? She looks sick

[pitbull13]

Take it to your local fish store asap they will diagnose and give you a treatment


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[emma09]

Thanks pitbull13 for your reply, Charlie is starting to look better, I have read up a bit more re colour change and apparently this is quite normal with Bristlenose. Her tail fin has not grown back yet but with regular water changes she is seemingly happier I would however like anyones opinions on API Proper pH 7.0 as it was recommended by a man at LFS (whom I previously told I have live plants in my tank) but upon reading directions on the back it says not to use with plants? Has anyone had experience with this product and live plants? Thanks guys!

[Atmichaels]

As for the API proper ph, why do you want to use it? What is your ph without it? Generally, it's better to have a stable ph than to try and alter yours which could cause wild swings. Ph swings can be very stressful on your fish.

[emma09]

It was 7 but went up to 7.2 so thought I'd need to bring it down or is it better left as is? I emailed the place I got it from and they said not to use it and bring it back.

[wijnands]

7.2 is perfectly acceptable to these. They are well known to thrive and breed in Dutch tap water which is usually around pH 8 and moderately hard.

In general those pH modifying products do a lot more harm than good. Don't use any rocks in the aquarium that react to vinegar and you should be fine.

[emma09]

Awesome thanks so much