Albino axie looking flushed

[cori]

Hi all,
Am new to the forum but have been keeping axies for about 18 months. I have quiet a tall tank and its capacity is 92L i run it at around 85L I have an orange male, pumpkin ( i think never can be too sure ) an albino with clear eyes, axle and another albino or maybe leucistic ( excuse spelling ) with black eyes, pepper... -Photo's coming soon-
Just wondering if anyone can help, occasionally but quiet regulary my albino with clear eyes appears very red, have checked and stabalised ph at around neautral.
Currently running a cascade 100 bio-logical filter (hang on) the other axies don't seem affected or distressed when symtoms occur so wondering if its just her expressing her moods? any thoughts would be greatly appreciated

Regards Eastern_axle

p.s Anyone around melbourne with unwanted axies ( eggs, babies even sick ones ) would be more than prepared to care for.
also looking for someone with an old tank to sell preferably around 100L+ capacity.

 

[joan]

Leucistics have black eyes.

The redness can be caused by poor water quality, or increased activity. Does he look red when he's actively swimming, eating, chasing others, or been disturbed?

What are you using to 'stabilize' the pH? If you're using pH up and down solutions, I would stop. You should also test for other pollutants, like ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates. These are much more important than pH.

 

[cori]

I have the water tested regularly at my local pet shop ( tests for nitratates / nitrites and ammonia never a problem )
I add bottled spring water regularly as my babies seem to love it!

Her redness appears randomly but also when the ph is too acidic, I am using ph up and down... any alternatives?
Also noticed a product called ph neautral that sets the ph at 7 and holds it there.. also claims to remove harmfull pollutants but seem a bit chemically drastic for my liking
I use melafix when adding new fish ( baby danio's and white clouds as a dietry booster ) my axies seem to respond well to melafix.... Any ideas for stabalising ph over a long time? it doesnt fluctuate too much,
also keeping down ammonia & nitrat/ites?

Could go out and buy all the "removal" products but would rather my tank balance a little more naturally.
I remove dead plant matter promptly and am very diligent in cleaning tank.

 

[joan]

Stop using pH up and down. These cause huge swings in pH, and can be very dangerous.

What is your pH naturally? If it's between 6 and 9ish, it's probably ok. If you have a more acidic pH, you can adjust this by using crushed coral in the filter, or in a small net sitting in the tank.

You need to cycle your tank to keep down ammonia and nitrites. Nitrates are removed by plants or by water changes. Have you cycled your tank?

 

[cori]

Thanks Joan!
I have regular water changes in place, with additions of bottled spring water also. I have quiet a few reasonably healthy plants growing in my tank, my ph tends to lean more towards the acidic side so will be investing in some crushed coral as soon as possible!

Regards Eastern_axle