ORP Probe issue???

[morpheus1969]

OK... To set the stage, I have been neglecting my tank a bit as far as cleaning goes... Holidays, new job, yada, yada... The point is, I have had unusually high readings from my ORP probe since day one. Recently, the readings have been astronomical 440 to 490... I did a 20gal water change, and full clean on the tank (siphon sand, clean sump, protein skimmer, etc.) last night, calibrated PH and Cond probes, and all is well. ORP registered 373 after water change at 7:30pm. By the time I went to bed, the ORP had crept back up to 420, and when I woke up it was back at 480.

Any suggestions as to what may be causing these ridiculous readings???

My tank by the way is doing phenominal???

Thanks,

~T

 

[swearint]

I am not an expert with ORP, but usually low readings are an indication of poor water quality. High values would result from excessively clean water such as from running too much ozone. Also, ORP runs inversely to pH, what has your pH been during this time. Are you getting really low pH values? How old is the probe?

Todd

 

[morpheus1969]

I also am not an expert with ORP obviously...

Now that my PH probe is calibrated properly, I discovered I am running very low PH. About 8.1 during the day.

I do not run ozone, so other than potential interference from another device, or another probe?

My probes are located in my sump in the same section with my protien skimmer as it is the only section that maintains a consistant water level. They are located opposite the inlet and outlet of the skimmer, just before the baffle to my return section.

 

[CalmSeasQuest]

Might want to check the probe. I learned my reads about 70 low when tested in 400mv fluid. I didn't bother to recalibrate it as I use it only for trend data.

 

[Deleted member 143833]

I discovered I am running very low PH. About 8.1 during the day

Quite normal for most indoor tanks; at night does it drop to about 7.8-7.9; that would be a normal swing.

Wrt the ORP reading; if you are not running O3 I wouldn't worry about the actual number more than watching the trends. As mentioned above if the ORP goes abnormally low then it is an indication that something is going bad in the tank. Since you are nut running O3 I suspect that the probe needs cleaned, calibrated, is getting too much air bubbles from the overflow or is getting cross-interference from something. You didn't metion which controller...

 

[morpheus1969]

I am running an AC3Pro. I am sure I need to clean it as that is probably the only thing I didn't do to the tank last night... I thought all was good when I saw a 383 reading. What is the best method to clean this thing???

It may be getting bubbles, but not likely due to its location???

It is mounted next to my temp probe about an inch and a half away. The manual states within 6 inches of the temp probe as it is the ground reference. On the other side of it is the PH probe also about the same distance.

Thanks,

T

 

[bvoss]

Some probes get dirty and read artificially high. I had one that needed cleaning almost daily. I Q-tip and vinegar fixes it really quick.

 

[Orr2003]

I bought a brand new ORP probe for my AC3 back in March and when I first installed it the probe was reading 112 for the first couple days and then slowly climbed to about 440 on average. The probe always read about 430 to 450 until I cleaned it a few days ago. Now it reads 306 and has been staying in the range of 300 to 319. This was the first time I had cleaned it and I too thought it was reading somewhat high all this time. I am not sure if the reading now is accurate but from what I have read you should not need to calibrate it. I also just use it for trend readings.

 

[morpheus1969]

I appreciate all of the input. I am thinking it needs a cleaning...

I will go ahead and address that this weekend amongst everything else I plan on doing with the tank.

 

[bvoss]

For what it is worth.... The cheap ORP probes are the only ones I have tried that do not need frequent cleaning. Steady as a rock...and cheap.

 

[bvoss]

I meant to mention the source. Bulk Reef Supply