Co2 and Ph?

[MizTanks]

What is the relationship between Co2 exchange and Ph?


There is nothing like being a REEFER!

[BeakerBob]

What is the relationship between Co2 exchange and Ph?


There is nothing like being a REEFER!

The higher the CO2 levels are (in your tank or in the air), the lower the pH may be. CO2 dissolves in water and acidifies it to a lower pH. A lower pH makes it very difficult for the corals to make their calcium carbonate skeleton. If the pH gets low enough (acidic), it will actually dissolve the calcium carbonate skeletons of the corals.

This is one of the biggest observations/theories as to why vast regions of coral reefs are currently dying. Global warming is causing higher levels of CO2 in the air and water. Interesting enough, eons ago, the atmosphere and water was acidic and no hard corals existed. Then a slow decrease in the CO2 levels occurred allowing nature to develop organisms that could bind calcium and carbonates to build the reefs as we know them today.

[MizTanks]

Ok. I was having a small ph issue and I don't like using chemicals to fix it~I left the hood of my all in one, open all night and by morning my ph had risen. I heard this would work but I don't know exactly why it does. Could you explain this to me. I kind a have an idea :)

[EMUreef]

Ok. I was having a small ph issue and I don't like using chemicals to fix it~I left the hood of my all in one, open all night and by morning my ph had risen. I heard this would work but I don't know exactly why it does. Could you explain this to me. I kind a have an idea :)

Fish breath the oxygen thats in water and they give off CO2 which is released into the air which is held inside the hood and dissolved back into the water.

Why dont you like using chemicals? Also there is a correlation between ph and Carbonate Alk, which is important to corals. Have you tested your alk? I know when my ph was very inconsistent and when i tested my alk was very low.

[BeakerBob]

Atmospheric CO2 levels fluctuate between day and night.

Alkalinity serves as a "buffer" in the water. As a buffer, it helps resist any sudden changes in pH. If your tank has a low alk value, it is more prone to pH swings that may be caused by external environmental factors, such as indoor CO2. It is typical to find higher levels of CO2 in the house during the winter as most people seal up their homes to retain the heat.

[brandeewyne]

additionally, the pH levels in your system fluctuate between day and night .. that's why it's suggested to test multiple times through the day to get a more accurate idea of where your tank is at. an early morning reading will differ from a mid-afternoon reading. a meter (constant monitoring) is ideal.

bob, i love the way you explain water chemistry .. you word it so it's so much easier to understand than many of the sites and various other reasources i've used. thank you!


edit: relative to post correction.

[BeakerBob]

Actually, I have corrected this to read "Atmospheric CO2 levels...."