Fact Check: 350 mV ORP?

[pluikens]

In the marketing materials for Red Sea's new Reefer Skimmer, they claim that the skimmer will "keep your SPS tank at an ORP or Redox level of at least 350 millivolts" and that this "is a true indication that the skimmer is constantly removing proteins from the water". What I'd like to know is if this is truly an indication of skimmer performance. Isn't this all relative to what I put in the tank as far as feeding/supplementing and the methods implemented for removing organics like filter socks/mats and other mechanical filtration? Is this an indication that the skimmer is constantly removing organics as much as it is an indication that there are relatively low organics in the tank?

I understand that a skimmer can be a great tool to reduce organics in a reef aquarium and that's a primary reason why I use one, but I'm not ready to believe that a specific 350 mV or greater ORP reading is an indicator that my skimmer is functioning at peak performance.

I've added a poll to gauge consumer's belief in Red Sea's statement. Please vote and add your comments below!

 

[Brew12]

In the marketing materials for Red Sea's new Reefer Skimmer, they claim that the skimmer will "keep your SPS tank at an ORP or Redox level of at least 350 millivolts" and that this "is a true indication that the skimmer is constantly removing proteins from the water". What I'd like to know is if this is truly an indication of skimmer performance. Isn't this all relative to what I put in the tank as far as feeding/supplementing and the methods implemented for removing organics like filter socks/mats and other mechanical filtration? Is this an indication that the skimmer is constantly removing organics as much as it is an indication that there are relatively low organics in the tank?

I understand that a skimmer can be a great tool to reduce organics in a reef aquarium and that's a primary reason why I use one, but I'm not ready to believe that a specific 350 mV or greater ORP reading is an indicator that my skimmer is functioning at peak performance.

I've added a poll to gauge consumer's belief in Red Sea's statement. Please vote and add your comments below!

I vote no. ORP is a measure of the balance between DOC's and oxidizers. While a skimmer can impact DOC's, it isn't the only thing that does. I'm sure there are plenty of tanks out there that don't run skimmers and have ORP over 350. Especially those who use peroxide regularly. So no, not buying it.

 

[wesman42]

I don't chase ORP just like I don't chase pH. It's certainly lovely to know what the numbers are for peace of mind, but I'm not losing sleep over it. Tbh, it sounds like a marketing ploy.

 

[KrisReef]

Are they using ozone in that skimmer? That was the old school method of raising ORP back when they first started measuring ORP in reef aquariums. Berlin, bioballs, and ozonizers were the ticket once.

 

[Dr. Dendrostein]

In the marketing materials for Red Sea's new Reefer Skimmer, they claim that the skimmer will "keep your SPS tank at an ORP or Redox level of at least 350 millivolts" and that this "is a true indication that the skimmer is constantly removing proteins from the water". What I'd like to know is if this is truly an indication of skimmer performance. Isn't this all relative to what I put in the tank as far as feeding/supplementing and the methods implemented for removing organics like filter socks/mats and other mechanical filtration? Is this an indication that the skimmer is constantly removing organics as much as it is an indication that there are relatively low organics in the tank?

I understand that a skimmer can be a great tool to reduce organics in a reef aquarium and that's a primary reason why I use one, but I'm not ready to believe that a specific 350 mV or greater ORP reading is an indicator that my skimmer is functioning at peak performance.

I've added a poll to gauge consumer's belief in Red Sea's statement. Please vote and add your comments below!

I setup a system (DT), no skimmer, use a filtration system called Hiatt filtration, heavy feed, close to 32mL of ammonium chloride, every 20 minutes, 24/7, 0 NH3, tank 24 gallon, ORP stays at 350-355. No skimmer. 2 cubic feet tri-carbon, for bacteria surface. Feed DT , sugar base food every 3 days for certain bacteria .