"mark Bannister" wrote in message
...
Koi-lo wrote:
snip

You may want to check the PH and Nitrate levels for a start. Is there a
lot of rotting leaves and other debris on the pond bottom?
snip
===============
OK, did what water tests I could. My test strips for Nitrate must have
been contaminated so I couldn't test that yesterday. PH is higher than
normal, a little above 7.8. Typically it runs 7.4 or something like that
and had been very stable all summer.

It's still within safe limits.

No ammonia. Hardness and
Alkalinity are both up a little as well (I forget the exact numbers but
they are in normal range.). Water temp is 56 F. 700+ US gallons.
The veggie filter is a little messy, but nothing horrible I don't think.

You may want to take a closer look to see if a lot of plant matter is
rotting or if something fell in, died and may be decomposing. Is there a
lot of pond "gunk" in the bottom of this veggie filter?

PH in QT tank is WAY off! Very low. I'm trying to rectify that right
now. Ammonia was a little high. I had been doing a better job of keeping
it stable but have been sick lately.

Very low can tie up the ammonia - but also if really low, harm or kill the
fish. You can safely and slowly raise the PH using chicken-grit, crushed
shell or dolomite fishtank gravel. What is the PH of the water from your
tap?

I've unplugged the heater in the QT tank and will allow the water temps to
get closer. It's warm here again (North Alabama) so it may take a while.
Either I couldn't see before or the sick fish has moved his fungus. It's
an oranda of some sort. Smaller fungus patches now around his head only.

Funny thing about the fish that lost his scales. Even his fins have
changed color. The dorsal, caudal and anal fins are all black now.

They should return to their natural color in time. They don't usually
remain black.
--

Koi-Lo.... frugal ponding since 1995...
Aquariums since 1952
My Pond & Aquarium Pages:
NEW PAGE: Aquariums:
http://bellsouthpwp.net/s/h/shastada...ium-Page4.html
http://bellsouthpwp.net/s/h/shastadaisy
~~~ }((((o ~~~ }{{{{o ~~~ }(((((o