Why does PH drop at night?

Without photosynthesis taking place in algae and other metabolic processes, certain chemicals build up in the water, like CO2 and others, causing the pH to lower, or become more acidic.

This is why most people run their fuge lights opposite (or 24/7) compared to their display lights, so that the pH will remain stable even though the DT lights are off.
 
Also it could be a sign of lower gas exchange taking place, is their more surface agitation on the frag tank than on the display?
It also depends on the amount and size of the coral in the display and the amount of fish that are there.
 
yogoshio said:
Without photosynthesis taking place in algae and other metabolic processes, certain chemicals build up in the water, like CO2 and others, causing the pH to lower, or become more acidic.

This is why most people run their fuge lights opposite (or 24/7) compared to their display lights, so that the pH will remain stable even though the DT lights are off.
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you would need a msassive fuge to have any effect, but in theory it sounds good
 
No, it doesn't have to be huge, just concentrated, which is the whole point of fuges. High amount of photosynthetic macro algaes in one place to counter the widespread micro algae of the DT.
 
It's about the concentration factor though. A large DT with sparse macro algae compared to a fuge with heavily concentrated macro with a sole purpose of growing said macro is going to be effective. And macro algae is also far more efficient at gas exchange than micro. It's not a perfect balance, but its incredibly effective because of the concentration.
 
pH in general is the concentration of hydrogen ions compared to hydroxide ions. The lower the pH the more free hydrogen ions, the higher the more hydroxide.

The pH of any solution impacts the ability of chemicals to adhere, be absorbed, or exchanged across membranes. Free hydrogen ions can affect the ability of enzymes and membrane transports by altering their chemical structure, reducing their efficacy or completely altering their shape. Even slight variations in pH can have drastic affects on how proteins and membranes function on a cellular level. Also, hydroxide ions can have the same affect if there are too many in the solution.

Whether its oxygen, or any trace mineral, or food, the pH of a solution will determine how effectively membrane transport takes place on a cellular and chemical level.
 
yogoshio said:
pH in general is the concentration of hydrogen ions compared to hydroxide ions. The lower the pH the more free hydrogen ions, the higher the more hydroxide.

The pH of any solution impacts the ability of chemicals to adhere, be absorbed, or exchanged across membranes. Free hydrogen ions can affect the ability of enzymes and membrane transports by altering their chemical structure, reducing their efficacy or completely altering their shape. Even slight variations in pH can have drastic affects on how proteins and membranes function on a cellular level. Also, hydroxide ions can have the same affect if there are too many in the solution.

Whether its oxygen, or any trace mineral, or food, the pH of a solution will determine how effectively membrane transport takes place on a cellular and chemical level.
Click to expand...


Show off :)
 
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