How to really "measure" Ozone?

[areze]

normally ORP is your reading right?

trick here is that my tank runs an orp of 450 without ozone, a reading that most would not dare run WITH ozone...

Ive verified my orp probe btw, it is reading correct. How you ask? well, a massive euroreef skimmer rated for 800+ gallons, and 5 small fish in 400g of volume.

so the question. My understanding that high ORP is not bad, but rather, high ozone is. so I SHOULD be able to still run ozone, and get all that much cleaner water above and beyond my already high baseline, as I would run the same "amount" of ozone as anyone else normally would.

problem is, I dont know what to set my orp at.

I have 400gallons of water volume, and I run it through an MTC PRO120D ozone reactor, pressurized at 4PSI.

about all I can think of is to just set the ozone generator to a set output and leave it. but what to set it at?

anyone have anything to say about any of this?

 

[rckrzy1]

If your ORP is that high and your load is that low what are you trying to clean ?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Well, ORP is not the goal, and does not indicate clear water, so using ozone can be useful whether the ORP is naturally high or low.

But, I'd check that ORP reading by calibration as it seems at the high end of what you'd ever get without ozone.

This has more on measuring ozone etc.:

Ozone and the Reef Aquarium, Part 1: Chemistry and Biochemistry
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-03/rhf/index.php

Ozone and the Reef Aquarium, Part 2: Equipment and Safety
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-04/rhf/index.php

Ozone and the Reef Aquarium, Part 3: Changes in a Reef Aquarium upon Initiating Ozone
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-05/rhf/index.php


ORP and the Reef Aquarium
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-12/rhf/feature/index.php

 

[itZme]

I was looking into running ozone myself and after calibrating the ORP probe I still get high readings and had the same question. What number should I be aiming for and is it safe to run a small amount of ozone even though my ORP is already so high? I thought for sure it was off from the readings of 420-455 without and ozone added.

Ironically I also have a very large skimmer on my system. It is 12"dia X 48" high with two Sedra 9000 meshwheels. I thought the abnormally high ORP levels would have been due to the already clean water but would like to clean it more if possible. I have all T5 lighting and would love to get some more penetration for SPS/clam growth.

Randy, I have read your excellent although somewhat confusing articles on ozone (and other chemistry articles).
I thank you for the work you have done to help us understand the complex reef tank beasts that we attempt to tame in our homes.

-- Kevin

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

How did you calibrate your ORP probe? Is it kept in the dark somewhere? An ORP probe that grows algae will give false high readings due to the O2 and other oxidizing species produced right onto the sensor during photosynthesis.

 

[rckrzy1]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14252295#post14252295 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Randy Holmes-Farley
How did you calibrate your ORP probe? Is it kept in the dark somewhere? An ORP probe that grows algae will give false high readings due to the O2 and other oxidizing species produced right onto the sensor during photosynthesis.

My ORP probe is in the sump and needs cleaned weekly as the ORP will gradually rise. My ORP can read 375 then right after cleaning be back to 325.

 

[areze]

how do you clean your probe? mine is in my sump, I tested it in orp solution, calibration seems... impossible, as the required testing solutions are not sold. but all the same, I put it in some ORP 400mv solution and the reading was 407, so close enough I think. Ive never cleaned it though... I thought I wasnt supposed to touch that tip. what would you clean it with? mine does climb over time till it levels off after a week at about 450, I thought the climb over the first week was normal though.

 

[areze]

btw, since I changed it, running at a low level of about 80/hour, my orp hasnt risen from the 450 level for whatever reason. only been about 3 days though. the orp varies, but doesnt overall rise.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Such probes are cleaned from some sorts of deposits by soaking them in acid.

 

[areze]

thinking vinegar or something stronger like muriatic acid? chances that youd need to clean an orp probe in mostly shade after 1 week though?

 

[rckrzy1]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14266306#post14266306 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by areze
thinking vinegar or something stronger like muriatic acid? chances that youd need to clean an orp probe in mostly shade after 1 week though?

A toothbrush and RO/DI works for me. I believe what you are removing is just a film of algae.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Either straight vinegar or 1:10 muriatic acid diluted into water are fine.

 

[areze]

Ill give it a go, cause Im at 480 sans ozone... and well I just dont believe it lol. hopefully it will drop to something reasonable.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

That does seem unlikely to me, but I suppose it is possibly accurate.

Good luck and let us know what you find on initiating ozone.