Orp probe

[Michael Gray]

When I first calibrated it it shows like 200 or more. But over time it tanks down to negative. I figured just let it sit in water for 2 weeks maybe it will get its act together. I recalibrated it. And again drops. I figured leave it be. I turned on skimmer finally during my cycle and took all filter socks out and such. It went up in 200s maybe even 300s. But now its negative 100. Again when skimmer is on. I didnt check probe for micro bubbles yet cause the tank is full of them because skimmer and no socks. During cycle. But my salinity probe is 1.0254 and hasnt changed. Its working with all the micro bubbles. But since day one. My orp has ended up negative.

 

[Ditto]

Did you calibrate with the Null Plug?

I know during a tank cycle it could be low but never see - numbers.

@Lasse @kodo28 @WWIII any idea's? (I was thinking if not a bad probe could it be the port configured for PH and not ORP?)

 

[MnFish1]

I don't believe its possible to have a negative ORP

Did you calibrate with the Null Plug?

I know during a tank cycle it could be low but never see - numbers.

@Lasse @kodo28 @WWIII any idea's? (I was thinking if not a bad probe could it be the port configured for PH and not ORP?)

Here is a nice article for you: http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-12/rhf/feature/index.php

If you are getting negative numbers - and your tank looks 'good' - I think its an error/bad probe.

 

[MnFish1]

PS - a quote from another article: The ocean is unbelievably stable, yet the ORP level ranges from -384mV to 450mV. That is a huge range of 834mV! Keep in mind these readings are not from one spot but from different locations in the ocean. The Reefs are generally in the range of 300-450mV, which is much more stable.

I was not aware that in living waters that the ORP could be negative (and my guess is that a negative value would be symptomatic of a problem if true). Maybe @Randy Holmes-Farley can help answer

 

[Michael Gray]

Here is a wrench. I took redox probe out and put it in calibrated solution. Solution is 220 mv (25*c) its reading 230-235. So its calibrated.

 

[Michael Gray]

Just put it back in my tank. 550 now ans dropping.

 

[Michael Gray]

Now its back negative. I wonder if it has something to do with the cycle. High ammonia like 10ppm.

 

[Lasse]

@MnFish1 In general - aerobic condition in the water/sediment -> positive ORP reading: anaerobic condition in the water/sediment -> negative ORP readings. First application of ORP readings was in sediment in order to know if they was anaerobic or aerobic. It was not possible at that time to read oxygen in sediments.

@Michael Gray First - check how your wires from the redox probe and profilux computer run. If they are to close to magnetic fields or other wires with current - you can get a false reading. Stray voltage in the water, probe near a DC or AC pump can affect the readings too. Damage probe can also be an option.

One way to test this is to place the probe in calibration solution but let the wires go exactly the way as normal - if there is a stable reading, rinse your probe thoroughly and place it in a bucket of tank water exactly in the same position as you had it when it was in the calibration solution. Let it be for some days - aerate slowly. If you get the same result - chose another position for the probe - free from all other wires - redo the test. If it still the same - replace the probe.

Sincerely Lasse

 

[kodo28]

If it is really caused by interference, then it must be a huge electrical source.
Normally when interference, the values tend more to fluctuate in wide ranges.

@Michael Gray make sure you have the port set to ORP and not PH.

This is an example if wrong port is set to PH instead of ORP.

Values tend to drop to ultra low and stable.

Any change on the measurement range back to the ORP the calibration must be reloaded from backup or new calibration done.

 

[Michael Gray]

@MnFish1 In general - aerobic condition in the water/sediment -> positive ORP reading: anaerobic condition in the water/sediment -> negative ORP readings. First application of ORP readings was in sediment in order to know if they was anaerobic or aerobic. It was not possible at that time to read oxygen in sediments.

@Michael Gray First - check how your wires from the redox probe and profilux computer run. If they are to close to magnetic fields or other wires with current - you can get a false reading. Stray voltage in the water, probe near a DC or AC pump can affect the readings too. Damage probe can also be an option.

One way to test this is to place the probe in calibration solution but let the wires go exactly the way as normal - if there is a stable reading, rinse your probe thoroughly and place it in a bucket of tank water exactly in the same position as you had it when it was in the calibration solution. Let it be for some days - aerate slowly. If you get the same result - chose another position for the probe - free from all other wires - redo the test. If it still the same - replace the probe.

Sincerely Lasse

I've pulled out the probe held the calibration fluid in my hand and left probe in it for 3 min and it goes to 230-235 in 220mv fluid. Wires are routed the same. Only difference my probes are in water next to my cor 20. But salinity,ph,temp seem to be ok. In the spot. Hmm I'm thinking of just getting rid of the probe. Logging in knowing I'm negative im negative is gonna bother me.

Just woke up and now its -350

 

[Michael Gray]

If I remember I calibrated it right. I put bull plug on waited for a beep put probe into p4. And then put it in solution started it it beeped.

I read in some directions it had a second part to it but couldn't find the setting. I was reading after 30 min do air calibration? But I didnt see anything of that??*****oh that's the oxygen sensor that I dont have. Redox is the one and i did the null plug and solution. Like I said I can put it in solution and it will be 230. I can try moving it to different part of sump. But I dont have a seperate holder to put it

 

[Michael Gray]

I just moved all 4 on other side of return section. A little further from cor 20. Otherwise its gonna have to go in skimmer section and I read skimmer section isnt good cause possible bubbles.

I wonder if its linked to the cycling of my tank my ammonia is through the roof at 8+rpm. It will be interesting to see if it goes back to a positive after a cycle.

If it doesnt I'm just ripping the dang thing out the back and tossing it. Lol

 

[MnFish1]

I just moved all 4 on other side of return section. A little further from cor 20. Otherwise its gonna have to go in skimmer section and I read skimmer section isnt good cause possible bubbles.

I wonder if its linked to the cycling of my tank my ammonia is through the roof at 8+rpm. It will be interesting to see if it goes back to a positive after a cycle.

If it doesnt I'm just ripping the dang thing out the back and tossing it. Lol

Key point (I think at least) - dont worry about ORP while cycling. Its a non-issue. ORP is only useful as a day to day monitor (once its stable) and then drops suddenly (a dead fish, etc). During cycling I can easily picture a negative ORP, @Lasse?

 

[Michael Gray]

Key point (I think at least) - dont worry about ORP while cycling. Its a non-issue. ORP is only useful as a day to day monitor (once its stable) and then drops suddenly (a dead fish, etc). During cycling I can easily picture a negative ORP, @Lasse?

Thanks. I'm not chasing numbers for orp on my cycle. I just wanna know my equipment is good and working correctly. I moved it on other side of return. I'll give it a few days to see where it goes it. It dropped slightly. I took it out and out it in solution and immediately 230 which solution is 220mv. I'm new and have no idea what orp is and what it does. But I should just let it sit entire cycle and see if it changes over course of cycle. Because other probes in exact area,wires ran together are reading stable. So it will be interesting if super high ammonia in water changes orp. I guess I can be the test dummy lol. Once cycle is done if it's still negative then I'll be concerned.

But right now ammonia is sky high.

 

[MnFish1]

Thanks. I'm not chasing numbers for orp on my cycle. I just wanna know my equipment is good and working correctly. I moved it on other side of return. I'll give it a few days to see where it goes it. It dropped slightly. I took it out and out it in solution and immediately 230 which solution is 220mv. I'm new and have no idea what orp is and what it does. But I should just let it sit entire cycle and see if it changes over course of cycle. Because other probes in exact area,wires ran together are reading stable. So it will be interesting if super high ammonia in water changes orp. I guess I can be the test dummy lol. Once cycle is done if it's still negative then I'll be concerned.

But right now ammonia is sky high.

Yep... It might be negative with cycling. Especially when its positive in the 'normal' solutions....

 

[MnFish1]

Yep... It might be negative with cycling. Especially when its positive in the 'normal' solutions....

PS - I would totally ignore ORP during the cycling process. Leave your probe in the tank - in a place with no bubbles - and wait - It will likely rise. PS - surprised your ammonia is >8

 

[Michael Gray]

PS - I would totally ignore ORP during the cycling process. Leave your probe in the tank - in a place with no bubbles - and wait - It will likely rise. PS - surprised your ammonia is >8

The ammonia so high was accident. I have salifert for cycling I dosed pure ammonia per calculator to get it to 2ppm. Salifert showed 1ppm. I dosed a little more. Salifert tested same. Dosed more. I got salifert to 1.5ppm. The color card has a 2.0ppm. But I couldnt get it to go beyond 1.5. So I kept trying. Then hit the internet and read salifert is known by some people to do the same. Wont go beyond 1.5 no matter how much. So I ordered overnight api ammonia and tested and bam. Color off the charts. Lol. So it's my fault. So I'm just gonna let it take it's time. It may take 3 months to drop lol I dunno. Rookie over here. ROOOOOKIE!!!! *palm you my forehead*

 

[Lasse]

I do not think that the low ORP is caused by the high ammonia level. Not at all. As I said before - levels below 0 indicate anaerobic conditions. If you do not have interference with other electrical devices - IMO - either the probe or the card in the Profilux is broken. @Vinny@GHLUSA - can you help this guy with his problems?

Sincerely Lasse

 

[MnFish1]

Ammonia actually should cause a higher ORP depending on the species. But in any case - forget it while you are cycling.

 

[Michael Gray]

i will dismiss it during cycle... just doesnt sit right $$$$ not working correctly for me.. lol