Bob: If the pH stays high on its own, leave it be, goldfish don't have any problems with pH up until 8.5 (some even thrive in that). But they do have a problem if it's bouncing up and down, like you said, you're trying to get it down, but the next day it's high again. Try to avoid that!
You can check on the package of the medications if they're supposed to affect the pH. If you're using a mineral salt instead of a medical salt, that could be the problem too. Mineral salts are designed for Cichlid tanks, to raise the hardness and pH of the water.

Most tank lights are fluorescent, so that won't be a problem As long as you keep the lights off during nights so the fish can rest!

Thanks, everyone. I bought a heater yesterday  to warm their toes in the holding tank. Seems to be taking a long time to warm up, though. What is the ideal temp I should be looking at?
The Ph is still high but I will let it go for now. I added a small amount of salt and anti-fungus juice yesterday. The patches remain on one fish's dorsal but I think they are disappearing from his body; and the other fish still has some on his tail. How long can it take to be rid of this pesky thing?
Have a great day. 

Ideal temp for goldfish is ranging between 20-26 degrees They will survive in far colder temps, but surviving doesn't mean "thriving"

A week at least is pretty common for more fierce infections, but just keep treating until all the symptoms are gone!

BigBob: LOVE your avatar!

Why thank you! Lol, hope it's not just because my status says so xD

I do agree with Nicole, the avatar is adorable

This may appear twice! I pressed 'post' but nothing happened. NOW I have to remember what I wrote. 

I'm not sure that there is much improvement this morning but I changed some water and added a teaspoon of salt and some anti-fungus juice. The intrepid duo duck into a far corner whenever I appear  but I see them swimming about a bit when they think they are alone. They are not deteriorating.

Can someone suggest shade-loving plants for my pond? Right now, it receives 2-3 hours but the sun is just above the horizon. In summer, it will get 4-5 hours of direct (Australian!) sun. It's a killa! but I will rig up some kind of shade device if it comes to that. If I were a goldfish, I think I'd LIKE plenty of greenery around me, but I have mostly comets, 2 fantails, and a Black moor.

Otherwise, I'm looking at another (sigh) wet, cold, and miserable Melbourne day.  I hope you are all enjoying better weather! 

hey Bob I was wondering if you have a botanical garden in Melb, we have one here, you can sometimes see what works for them in there ponds, and they have the botanical names as well... also some specialist garden centres and nurseries here deal in pond plants, you might be able to find some there and get their help and advice... one more thing that may look nice in your pond is the common reed you find growing in some lagoons and creeks etc as well as along the Murray River. I had some spring up in some peat moss blocks I bought for the garden, I put them in a pot (with a wide base otherwise they blow over) and submerged them in the pond like you do waterlillies, they grow about 3 feet straight out of the water and they add to the overall theme and the fish seem to like picking at and sucking on them ... because of their slender straight tapering form, you sometimes see interior decorators paint the stems and use them in vases...  Regards > Ron

  nice one Bob also thats great to hear about the fish,  well done... and Melb does have a great climate for gardens, my garden here always looks it best at the end of winter beginning of spring, before the sun burns the sh*t out of it... cheers > Ron.

Really great I'm so happy for you!

its nice to hear of a success... cheers Bob > ron

Yes, pond fish get less active when it's colder, they're cold-blooded animals so their body temperature follows the temp of their water. That's why they sort of go into a hibernation over winter, unless you keep them indoors