Lighting effects on Ammonia and pH

[Aqua-Digital]

The image below illustrates the interaction between pH, NH3 and light. The data is from an account where the NH3 was increasing and decreasing on a daily basis – The question is why?



Notice that the light levels recorded by the seneye match the peaks and troughs of both NH3 and pH. This is because algae photosynthesise during the day (removing CO2) whereas at night CO2 builds up. CO2 forms carbonic acid, which lowers the pH. This creates the peaks and troughs in the pH reading.

So why does the NH3 level change with pH? PH affects the equilibrium point the NH3 is converted into NH3. As the pH increases, Hydrogen Ions are taken from NH4 and NH3 is created. This is why the increase in NH3 mirrors changes in pH.

This is why we believe that constant monitoring of parameters is crucial to heath of you fish. Understanding the relationship and interaction between the different parameters really helps to understand filter performance over time and potential issues in fish welfare.

Seneye monitoring is a cheap but highly reliable tool for keeping your fish and tank health in check.

For more info email sales@aqua-digital.com

Happy fishkeeping