Live Christmas Trees and Tank Chemistry

[ThunderGoose]

We put up a live Christmas tree over the weekend in the same room as my reef tank. Since then I've noticed my pH dropping dramatically overnight. Anyone else notice this?

My hypothesis is that the tree is putting out CO2 overnight. It's still alive after all!

I know we all think of plants as taking up CO2 but that happens during photosynthesis, which only occurs when there is sunlight. During the night plants respire just like we do (cellular respiration). Cellular respiration is the process of converting molecules like carbohydrates and sugars into usable energy. It uses oxygen and gives off CO2.

It very cool being able to use my tank's pH as a proxy for room levels of CO2 and to witness the effects of having a small tree in a small living room.

 

[NotFishyFishGuy]

Hmmm. Ive always used artificial so never thought about this. @Katrina71 this seems interesting

 

[Katrina71]

I wouldn't rule it out. Drop in an airstone.

 

[nitrodude]

I wouldn't rule it out. Drop in an airstone.

Airstone in this instance wouldnt help unless drawing air from outside-since air inside is co2 saturated.

 

[Retro Reefer]

Interesting... I don’t monitor PH in this biocube but it has snuggled with our tree during the holidays for many years now with no visible stress on the tank

 

[Paul B]

I think you are giving that tree to much credit.

 

[BeejReef]

My powerheads won't go into night mode unless the tree lights are off... lol. Only thing I've noticed.

 

[LARedstickreefer]

Simple solution: Add a live Christmas Tree to soak up the c02.

Bada Bing Bada Boom.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I don’t think this is likely an effect, that even if real, will continue for more than a couple of days.

Other effects will be bigger. Wind outside and colder air both have a big effect on air turnover in houses.