PH CO2 Question

Dmckmc · 05-07-2012, 04:34 PM

Does CO2 change ph? I've never really understood this relationship.

Thanks.

**Hoppy** · 05-07-2012, 04:41 PM

CO2 dissolves in water, with a portion of it chemically forming carbonic acid. That portion is a function of the KH of the water. Carbonic acid lowers the pH of the water. Turn off the CO2, and the carbonic acid converts back to CO2, and the pH rises.

Dmckmc · 05-07-2012, 11:55 PM

Thanks Hoppy. So, if I want to try my hand at keeping shrimp or a certain fish that is sensitive to Ph, how do I keep the ph stable if I turn my co2 off at night?

Dmckmc · 05-11-2012, 02:08 AM

Bump anyone?

Thks.

Diana · 05-11-2012, 02:52 AM

Fish do not care about the pH changes that happen when you run CO2.

Fish care about the mineral content of the water.
Set the GH to optimum for the fish.
Make the KH more or less similar to the GH (within 2 German degrees of hardness is near enough)
Allow the pH to do what it will and see what happens.
Some fish from black water biotopes will benefit from peat moss added to the filter.

Dmckmc · 05-12-2012, 02:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diana

Fish do not care about the pH changes that happen when you run CO2.

Fish care about the mineral content of the water.
Set the GH to optimum for the fish.
Make the KH more or less similar to the GH (within 2 German degrees of hardness is near enough)
Allow the pH to do what it will and see what happens.
Some fish from black water biotopes will benefit from peat moss added to the filter.

Thanks. I was thinking about trying shrimp and thought stable ph was necessary?

05-07-2012, 04:34 PM	#1
Dmckmc Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 234	PH CO2 Question Does CO2 change ph? I've never really understood this relationship. Thanks. __________________ 60g Substrate = 50% Florite sand 50% regular Florite Lighting 108W of a 216W T5HO Aquatic Life hood 25" from substrate 8.5 hours daily. Amarath Redroot, Waterhyssop, Brazilian Pennywort, Water Wisteria, Jungle Val, Moss Ball, Riccia, Nana, Java Lace, Cryptocoryne, Pigmy Chain Sword.

05-07-2012, 04:41 PM	#2
Hoppy Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (53/100%) Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 17,206	CO2 dissolves in water, with a portion of it chemically forming carbonic acid. That portion is a function of the KH of the water. Carbonic acid lowers the pH of the water. Turn off the CO2, and the carbonic acid converts back to CO2, and the pH rises. __________________ Hoppy

05-07-2012, 11:55 PM	#3
Dmckmc Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 234	Thanks Hoppy. So, if I want to try my hand at keeping shrimp or a certain fish that is sensitive to Ph, how do I keep the ph stable if I turn my co2 off at night? __________________ 60g Substrate = 50% Florite sand 50% regular Florite Lighting 108W of a 216W T5HO Aquatic Life hood 25" from substrate 8.5 hours daily. Amarath Redroot, Waterhyssop, Brazilian Pennywort, Water Wisteria, Jungle Val, Moss Ball, Riccia, Nana, Java Lace, Cryptocoryne, Pigmy Chain Sword.

05-11-2012, 02:08 AM	#4
Dmckmc Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 234	Bump anyone? Thks. __________________ 60g Substrate = 50% Florite sand 50% regular Florite Lighting 108W of a 216W T5HO Aquatic Life hood 25" from substrate 8.5 hours daily. Amarath Redroot, Waterhyssop, Brazilian Pennywort, Water Wisteria, Jungle Val, Moss Ball, Riccia, Nana, Java Lace, Cryptocoryne, Pigmy Chain Sword.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

05-11-2012, 02:52 AM	#5
Diana Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Contra Costa CA Posts: 5,013	Fish do not care about the pH changes that happen when you run CO2. Fish care about the mineral content of the water. Set the GH to optimum for the fish. Make the KH more or less similar to the GH (within 2 German degrees of hardness is near enough) Allow the pH to do what it will and see what happens. Some fish from black water biotopes will benefit from peat moss added to the filter.