ORP at ~400

[Dvir]

No ozone and ORP is at 400-ish, does it make sense?
I understand it's not so easy to calibrate this probe, but about 1-2 months ago I was at 250-300, and been on the rise since.
Can it be probe problems like in the salinity probe?

 

[piranhaman00]

Easy fix, unplug the probe, remove the monitoring from dashboard. All done!

 

[Dvir]

Easy fix, unplug the probe, remove the monitoring from dashboard. All done!

-1

 

[Lbrdsoxfan]

Easy fix, unplug the probe, remove the monitoring from dashboard. All done!

This. The probe will gradually rise as its seasoned and settle at a certain point and cycle up/down throughout the day usually offset of PH. I only use it for trending. Only if there is some rapid & large change do I worry about it.

 

[o2manyfish]

When you feed your tank does the ORP drop 30-50 points - If it doesn't then it might be time for a new probe or taking the time to calibrate.

The ORP usually moves opposite of your pH. It will drop by 150 points when you do a water change - which makes no sense - but that's the way it works.

Dave B

 

[MnFish1]

No ozone and ORP is at 400-ish, does it make sense?
I understand it's not so easy to calibrate this probe, but about 1-2 months ago I was at 250-300, and been on the rise since.
Can it be probe problems like in the salinity probe?

The Apex probe for ORP is a little notorious for inaccuracy. For example your graph shows a huge spike (I assumed you did something) - then a huge plunge (? Did you do something). Then the ORP rapidly increases and decreases - my opinion - its an issue with the probe - as compared to anything going on in your tank - unless - as said above - you did something at those times.

 

[MnFish1]

No ozone and ORP is at 400-ish, does it make sense?
I understand it's not so easy to calibrate this probe, but about 1-2 months ago I was at 250-300, and been on the rise since.
Can it be probe problems like in the salinity probe?

One of the causes of ORP increase - is algae growing on the probe - which releases O2 - and locally increases ORP. FWIW - many people do not use this probe. Hope this helps

 

[vetteguy53081]

I ignore mine as it worked when it wanted and I mentioned this to Neptune at last MACNA and they stated it should be changed as well as salinity probe every 12-18 months.
Wow- Is that cost effective and efficient !! With this recommendation, a $700 unit will cost $1500 in 5 years with annual probe changes.

 

[Lbrdsoxfan]

I ignore mine as it worked when it wanted and I mentioned this to Neptune at last MACNA and they stated it should be changed as well as salinity probe every 12-18 months.
Wow- Is that cost effective and efficient !! With this recommendation, a $700 unit will cost $1500 in 5 years with annual probe changes.

The ORP probe I wouldnt mind if I worried about it, as you can use a pinpoint (as I do) or several other aftermarket brands but the salinity probe is a total racket since its proprietary. When the one I currently use can't be calibrated I'm done with that, period.

 

[MnFish1]

One way you can tell 'if its the probe' - see if it rises and falls inversely with the pH - (again assuming no other acute changes) - ORP probes seem to read higher over time (due to contamination on the probe). Let's put it this way - I do not think you need to worry about an ORP of 400 - IF everything looks good in the tank. PS - a higher ORP is generally considered a positive - the graph you're showing suggests you added/did something to the tank - or the probe is not reading correctly. As others have said - its more important to follow 'the trend' as compared to the absolute value

 

[Dvir]

Did you guys notice the min is 390? the changes there are not big, ~15 in each direction

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

FWIW, ORP is not ever too high on its own, and is of little value if not using ozone, IMO.

The idea that an ORP of 400 is better than an ORP of 200, or that an ORP of 400 means cleaner water than an ORP of 200 has little to no basis in actual evidence.

I discuss ORP is great detail here:

ORP and the Reef Aquarium - Reefkeeping.com