Help. Fish Dying Rapid Breathing. Unexplained deaths.

[RyanFish]

Thank you for your advice! And thank you everyone else.

One more quick question. How does high phosphates or high alkalinity affect fish?

 

[Humblefish]

One more quick question. How does high phosphates or high alkalinity affect fish?

Yes to the latter (I wouldn't go over 11-12 dKH); but high phosphates shouldn't cause any issues unless possibly they were insanely high.

 

[RyanFish]

Hmm. So what would happen if the phosphate was insanely high or alkalinity was 25. I’ve had both of these before.

 

[Humblefish]

Hmm. So what would happen if the phosphate was insanely high or alkalinity was 25. I’ve had both of these before.

How were you testing? A sudden swing in alkalinity can cause swim bladder issues, and I think I read somewhere that high alkalinity can turn ammonia more toxic.

But honestly, this is more of a @Randy Holmes-Farley kinda question.