ORP probe issue

[reefknight]

So , I attempted to calibrate both my ph probe and my orp probe this morning on my ACIII. Ph probe adjusted no problem. I couldn't remember how I had calibrated my orp probe when I first bought it, so I quickly scanned my user guide. Which equates to me not reading much except use ph 4 & 7 t calibrate it. Wrong!!!

I didn't read the part where you had to mix quinhydrone along with the ph solutions. So, now what? Is there a way to solve this problem without purchasing a new probe?

Any help would be appreciated, thanks.

 

[Deleted member 143833]

I'm not sure I understand what the problem is; are you saying that you calibrated the ORP probe incorrectly?

 

[reefknight]

Yes, I did. Checking it against the Pinpoint reference 400mv, its about 100mv low.

 

[aquamanic]

Why don't you just get the quinhydrone and re-calibrate it?

 

[reefknight]

I'm attempting to find quinhydrone in small amounts. All I have been able to find online are large quantities for around $100. At that point its cheaper to buy a new probe.

 

[pyton]

here is a kit for $54.99

http://www.customaquatic.com/estore/control/product/~product=DI-AD65200121

 

[Gordonious]

Even $55 vs the $3 packets from PinPoint. I believe Neptune's are dirt cheap as well compaired to $100/$55. Is there something horribly wrong with them? I have never calibrated my ORP probe and I've had it running for a while now. I already own a couple of PinPoints ORP packets and was about to use them. Is there a reason not to?

 

[aquamanic]

marine depot carries pre-mixed packets. search for orp calibration and you'll find them.

 

[slief]

marine depot carries pre-mixed packets. search for orp calibration and you'll find them.

Which one is the premixed kit? I searched but but they carry a number of different ORP calibration packages.

 

[RussM]

Getting a new probe won't help. "Calibrate the probe" is something of a misnomer. You don't calibrate the probe itself. In actuality, you calibrate the controller to the probe. The calibration process determines the bias/offsets necessary to account for minor differences in probes when compared with reference solutions. The calibration result is simply some numbers stored in the controller.

The "right answer" is to get or mix the proper reference solutions, then re-do the cal process.

You might email Neptune support to see if there is a way to restore the stored ORP calibration values to defaults. With ORP, the actual value of the reading isn't all that important anyway. What matters is the amount of change in ORP.

Since I don't dose ozone, I never worried about ORP much. After a while, I just changed the port to be a second pH probe, and used that to backup my primary pH probe.

 

[reefknight]

Even $55 vs the $3 packets from PinPoint. I believe Neptune's are dirt cheap as well compaired to $100/$55. Is there something horribly wrong with them? I have never calibrated my ORP probe and I've had it running for a while now. I already own a couple of PinPoints ORP packets and was about to use them. Is there a reason not to?

No there is nothing wrong with Neptune or Pinpoints calibration fluids. The fault was all mine, as I didn't read as carefully as I should have. I was in a hurry trying to do multiple things and this is the result.

I'm attempting to find smaller amounts or a kit that has all the needed materials for calibrating the system.

Getting a new probe won't help. "Calibrate the probe" is something of a misnomer. You don't calibrate the probe itself. In actuality, you calibrate the controller to the probe. The calibration process determines the bias/offsets necessary to account for minor differences in probes when compared with reference solutions. The calibration result is simply some numbers stored in the controller.

The "right answer" is to get or mix the proper reference solutions, then re-do the cal process.

You might email Neptune support to see if there is a way to restore the stored ORP calibration values to defaults. With ORP, the actual value of the reading isn't all that important anyway. What matters is the amount of change in ORP.

Since I don't dose ozone, I never worried about ORP much. After a while, I just changed the port to be a second pH probe, and used that to backup my primary pH probe.[QUOTE/]

I was thinking about that very thing this afternoon, as far as you calibrate the ACIII not the probe itself. I'm hoping that Curt would chime in here, but I'll attempt to email him directly.

Thanks to all for the assist

 

[RussM]

Guys, there are two different forms of ORP calibration out there. Neptune controllers use an (arguably) better 2-step / 2-point high/low calibration process. Some other controllers and testers use a single-point calibration. In theory, once calibrated, the Ac3 or Apex ORP feature should be relatively accurate over the entire usable range of measurement. The simpler calibration method used by those other products is only assured to be accurate at values which are at or near the single calibration point (typically 400mv)

The packets of 400mv solution CANNOT be used to calibrate ORP on an AC3 or Apex. The 400mv solution CAN be used to periodically check the calibration though.