That pH is a bit low. You can try adding aeration to the tank itself and see if it rises a few points. A pH of 7.9 isn't harmful by itself, but if it is an indicator of high carbon dioxide, then that is a problem. Another way to test this is to measure the Ph of the tank, then remove a gallon of tank water and aerate it heavily for 6 hours. If the pH rises, that indicates a CO2 issue.
No change of pH after 12 hours of aerating the gallon of water. I did add a protein skimmer to the tank the tank has good surface agitation an air stone in the rear sump and now added a protein skimmer. No change to breathing. I changed up his food to see if that was possibly it has breathing doubles after feeding and the same result occurred.
Well, I’ve run out of ideas. If it was breathing less than 150 bpm I’d say don’t worry about it, but 150 is my sort of arbitrary cut off between high normal for small fish and some disease process.
Thanks, but no need. Just pay it forward by being active here on R2R!
Jay if you have the time I do have some more information as this is still not resolved. I do get crazy amount of bacteria growing in my sumps and glass. After thinking about it the longer the lights are on the heavier the breathing. Running an oversized UV sterilizer ATM. My protein skimmer kept overflowing even at 1/4 the recommended water level. Tank is stinky. I’m assuming this is a bacterial bloom. I have done big water changes and more and can’t get it to go away. What really is the best course of action then. I also change my filters every day at this point.
Have you confirmed the growing material is bacteria and not algae?
I would have a photo if I didn’t drain my AIO and clean. It has chunky and when clumped up on the scraper it was red/brown slime. After cleaning and a 30% water change the fish is no better. I did the cleaning late in the night as an emergency as the tang was breathing heavier than before. Phosphate was high at 0.08 before the water change.
