Post by Carl on Dec 2, 2017 10:52:02 GMT -5
I have updated the Aquarium/Pond Answers article "Fin Rot, Bettas & Other Fish"
Here is an excerpt (from the water parameters section):
"The second part of Aquarium Chemistry (GH, KH, pH) that is also important (if not more so) and also missed by many is the need for positive mineral ions (electrolytes) in the water for a healthy Betta (or other fish) immune system.
Often Betta Keepers will use RO, Drinking, or Distilled Water without adding back these ESSENTIAL elements.
Even when tap water is used, often products such as "pH down" or "7.0" are employed, which when used alone can drive out some essential mineral ions.
Further Reference: Aquarium Chemistry; Positive Mineral Ions, GH
The use of too much incorrectly treated RO water can result in Redox stress, although the flip side is attempting to make up for neglect in adding positive mineral ions too quickly which also can add stress (both are similar to rapid pH changes).
Another chemistry stressor is oxidative stress often from un-treated tap water or a too high/unbalanced Redox reading (best measured via relative hydrogen/rH).
Even long term feeding of a diet too high in energy levels can add oxidative stress to a fish that can eventually make a fish more susceptible to causes of fin rot. Diet is often a two edged sword for Bettas, since many Bettas can be difficult to get to eat lower energy diets. But with other fish, in particular Cichlids where they are generally much easier to acclimate to long term healthier diets, I have found, many will continue to feed diets that slowly add to oxidative stress.
Any of these before mentioned stressors can lead to a Columnaris infection that can then in turn lead to a case of Columnaris induced fin rot (which is often a much more difficult to treat fin rot when compared to a minor cases of simply ragged fins)."
Carl
Here is an excerpt (from the water parameters section):
"The second part of Aquarium Chemistry (GH, KH, pH) that is also important (if not more so) and also missed by many is the need for positive mineral ions (electrolytes) in the water for a healthy Betta (or other fish) immune system.
Often Betta Keepers will use RO, Drinking, or Distilled Water without adding back these ESSENTIAL elements.
Even when tap water is used, often products such as "pH down" or "7.0" are employed, which when used alone can drive out some essential mineral ions.
Further Reference: Aquarium Chemistry; Positive Mineral Ions, GH
The use of too much incorrectly treated RO water can result in Redox stress, although the flip side is attempting to make up for neglect in adding positive mineral ions too quickly which also can add stress (both are similar to rapid pH changes).
Another chemistry stressor is oxidative stress often from un-treated tap water or a too high/unbalanced Redox reading (best measured via relative hydrogen/rH).
Even long term feeding of a diet too high in energy levels can add oxidative stress to a fish that can eventually make a fish more susceptible to causes of fin rot. Diet is often a two edged sword for Bettas, since many Bettas can be difficult to get to eat lower energy diets. But with other fish, in particular Cichlids where they are generally much easier to acclimate to long term healthier diets, I have found, many will continue to feed diets that slowly add to oxidative stress.
Any of these before mentioned stressors can lead to a Columnaris infection that can then in turn lead to a case of Columnaris induced fin rot (which is often a much more difficult to treat fin rot when compared to a minor cases of simply ragged fins)."
Carl
