Can shrimp molting cause drop in pH?

[SuncrestReef]

I'm new to reefing, but learning fast. I added a skunk cleaner shrimp to my tank about a month ago, and since that time it has molted 3 times, usually about every 9 - 12 days. Each time it molted, I noticed my Apex pH probe showing a larger than normal drop in pH overnight. I typically see about a 0.08 - 0.13 drop in pH overnight, but on each of the 3 nights my shrimp molted the pH dropped about 0.20. I did a quick Google search but didn't find any relevant results.

Just curious if anyone else has seen this happen.

 

[Dr. Reef Verified Sponsor]

pH swings are directly related to co2 levels in the tank and have nothing to do with molting itself.

 

[NY_Caveman]

I'm new to reefing, but learning fast. I added a skunk cleaner shrimp to my tank about a month ago, and since that time it has molted 3 times, usually about every 9 - 12 days. Each time it molted, I noticed my Apex pH probe showing a larger than normal drop in pH overnight. I typically see about a 0.08 - 0.13 drop in pH overnight, but on each of the 3 nights my shrimp molted the pH dropped about 0.20. I did a quick Google search but didn't find any relevant results.

Just curious if anyone else has seen this happen.

Shrimp will need elements such as Calcium, Magnesium and Iodine to grow healthy new shells. The amount is insignificant for your tank. It will not affect pH. I agree on CO2.

 

[Macdaddynick1]

Was your door closed on those days ? Did your alkalinity drop during those nights?

 

[Lasse]

I agree that I can't see any realition between molt - > pH drop but how about pH drop - > molting. Can this bee the relation you see?

Sincerely Lasse

 

[SuncrestReef]

I agree that I can't see any realition between molt - > pH drop but how about pH drop - > molting. Can this bee the relation you see?

Sincerely Lasse

I can usually tell when the shrimp is about to molt because it starts to look a little "messy" for a day or two before the event. Its antennae show little tattered sections and parts of the body look almost fuzzy as opposed to the normal sleek exterior. The pH drops I've seen only seem to occur after the molting process. But of course it could be total coincidence since I only have 3 recorded events.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I'm new to reefing, but learning fast. I added a skunk cleaner shrimp to my tank about a month ago, and since that time it has molted 3 times, usually about every 9 - 12 days. Each time it molted, I noticed my Apex pH probe showing a larger than normal drop in pH overnight. I typically see about a 0.08 - 0.13 drop in pH overnight, but on each of the 3 nights my shrimp molted the pH dropped about 0.20. I did a quick Google search but didn't find any relevant results.

Just curious if anyone else has seen this happen.

No, molting shrimp cannot lower pH.

If there is any connection, I think it more likely the environmental conditions (possibly including pH) induced the molting.