[Clownloachlover]

Okay folks the power outage is killing my tank...Sorry newbie at this. We were without power for 39 hours...I did what I could to keep the tank warm but not much else I could do. I did a 40% water change twice during the 39 hours which chances are someone is going to tell me it was wrong to do...but too late now. I went downstairs today, the power has been back since 3am yesterday so basically a little over 36 hours. BTW I am running a 220 gallon tank with three FX5 filters. I found 5 tetras, two angelfish and my prize clown loach DEAD and everyone else at the top of tank gasping for air. I lost two Cories and an a couple of red flame tetras yesterday. I checked water parameters and nitrite is at ZERO...Ammonia is at ZERO, Nitrate is at 20 PPM and my PH has crashed to 6.2...normal PH is about 7-7.2. I did not check the pH of my tap water...stupid me...maybe with the recent drought and the fresh storms it has changed my tap PH but it used to be very consistent at about 7-7.2 right out of the tap here is North Surrey.

So what can I do to save the rest of my fish? HELP HELP HELP

 

[MEDHBSI]

Did you have a battery powered air stone?

 

[Clownloachlover]

NOPE! when I added the new water to during the water changes I made lots of splashes to help oxygenate the water

 

[So_lil]

I would rinse out the foam pre filters in your fx 5's having them sit With no power could cause a die off of bacteria as well as possible h2s gas release I believe. My large Nova II for 2k gallons sat for only 6 hrs with power out when I turned gen set on it had that rotten egg odour. Best of luck hope everything turns out better. If you have a reverse osmosis you could set up a drip system and have it constant water change till it stabilizes as well. Someone on here posted a handy diy overflow with a pop bottle and airline.

 

[Dietmar]

I agree with So-lil
Once water flow stops in those canisters, anaerobic bacteria grow. Those are the ones that don't require oxygen. And hydrogen sulphide gas forms. Deadly to fish. Power comes on, deadly water enters the tank!

You could add baking soda to raise ph. Not too fast though.

 

[Geoffrey]

Can you test your tap water again? If your tap is still at 7-7.2, I'd slowly change out the water to raise the pH back to normal.

 

[Xenon]

Don't know if it will help at this point but...
in the future, make sure to have some buffers in your water.
Google and read some articles on Water Chemistry.
Our GVRD water is very soft with 0-1 KH so pH swings happen very easily.
Seachem makes some good buffers.
Cheap alternative- Baking Soda, crushed coral/aragonite.
Recommend some reading because lots of different issues to consider.