Who uses ozone?

[Brad A.]

Another note on using the Reference solution:

Give yourself a range before you declare the probe is bad.

The reference solution is for verification that the probe is accurate.


1) Clean (soak) probe with special probe cleaning solution or vinegar (10-15 mins).

2) Rinse probe with clean water
3) remove excess water from probe
4) Insert probe into reference solution (see above post) and let it sit there for 5-10 mins
5) an exceptabe RANGE for 470 mv reference solution would be something like 450-490 mv (see bottle for exact range)
6)If probe is OUT of range..clean again and go back to step 1
7) If still out of range.....i dont know...get a new probe or look into calibrating the probe...you need other solutions to calibrate. I usually replace the probe after about 1-1.5 years anyhow.

The above is my opinion and is what has worked for me. If a scientist chimes in and says to do it another way...do it, quess.

Brad

 

[mhurley]

Thanks Brad!!!

Now....let's say my probe is off...Does the Aquacontroller allow you to change the calibration? I've never looked at it because I was told it was self calibrating.

Mike

 

[ldrhawke]

You can go to all of that trouble and expense to calibrate the ORP meter, but really what do you have when you get done, that you don't have by simply cleaning it in vinegar? Vinegar, which has a pH of about 2.7, does the same thing as the calibration solution from a practical aspect. As long as you get the same reading while it is in the vinegar. it is accomplishing basically the same task.

We all acknowledge that ORP is only a relative number anyway that shows trend in your tank. it will vary from tank to tank, and there is no bad ORP or good ORP reading, you just mainly want it repeatable and as high as possible.

 

[mhurley]

Because we're obsessed with the numbers!!!!
pH, Alk, Calcium, Oxygen....I need accurate numbers!

 

[ldrhawke]

http://saltaquarium.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http%3A%2F%2Fwetwebmedia.com%2Fmarphysf.htm

Good redox article by Fenner

 

[Brad A.]

ldrhawke,

No, the vinegar cleans the probe. The calibration fluid is used to check that the probe is accurate. I like to know if the probe is "right on" after I do something like clean it. I've learned over time that the vinegar does not "hurt" the probe. So, I don't test it that often with the reference solution.

I might add--I test the probe on a monthly basis (mostly) and clean the probe with vinegar weekly a must for my tank.

 

[Brad A.]

Mhurly,

The ACII does allow for calibration, but it requires additional calibration fluids. I have never found it neccessary to "calibrate" the ACII ORP probe. I use the calibration fluid only as a reference for accuraccy. I have thrown a probe away (after about 1-1.5 years of use) because the probe was no longer accurate. ( it was giving wacky readings that were way off).

 

[ldrhawke]

ldrhawke,

No, the vinegar cleans the probe. The calibration fluid is used to check that the probe is accurate. I like to know if the probe is "right on" after I do something like clean it. I've learned over time that the vinegar does not "hurt" the probe. So, I don't test it that often with the reference solution.

I might add--I test the probe on a monthly basis (mostly) and clean the probe with vinegar weekly a must for my tank.

Question....what is the final reading on the ORP meter while the probe is being cleaned in vinegar.....compared to the reading in the caibration solution? If I remember correctly, I will clean the probe tonight to double check, my reading in the vinegar was around 450mv.

 

[Brad A.]

ldrhawke,

mine is around 600 and then goes to 450-490 in the reference solution. The ORP of the vinegar would be dependent on the brand/age/vinegar concentration/purity etc...

 

[ldrhawke]

If my vinegar shows 450mv......I am going to put it a bottle and mark it test solution, and use the $19.95 I just saved, in not buying a bottle of calibration solution, to buy a couple of beers.....:strooper:

If my vinegar reads high, I'm going to dilute it with water until it reads 450mv, and buy a couple of beers anyway.....:rollface:

 

[Malcolm_C]

I've been reading this post for 30mins, damn! I'm considering adding ozone, but i have a acrylic tank, I heard that ozone destroys acrylic. anyone her have acylic tank? if so how long have you been dosing, and have you seen any issues. I have around 1000 gallons of water voume.

 

[ldrhawke]

I've been reading this post for 30mins, damn! I'm considering adding ozone, but i have a acrylic tank, I heard that ozone destroys acrylic. anyone her have acylic tank? if so how long have you been dosing, and have you seen any issues. I have around 1000 gallons of water voume.

If you have enough residual ozone left in the water to affect acrylic, I guarantee all of the life in your tank was snuffed out a long time before the acrylic was affected. With the small amount of ozone from and aquarium ozone generator system, you could never have high enough concentrations of Ozone remaining to affect acrylic.

If you have any residual ozone in the water, you are feeding too much.

When they talk about chemical compatability it is normally regarding long term exposure to high concentrations. PVC and Stainless steel construction is widely used, but at elevated tempertures and high ozone concentrations, even they are not recommended.

I have an acrylic tank and use ozone. Acrylic is fine.

 

[Malcolm_C]

for my tank size what size ozone should i get? do you have any brand recomendations? i thought i read something about a red sea device, but I don't remeber.

 

[ldrhawke]

for my tank size what size ozone should i get? do you have any brand recomendations? i thought i read something about a red sea device, but I don't remeber.

Some place to start.......

http://aquariumpros.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=RSOZD200&Category_Code=OZoz&Product_Count=4

 

[ldrhawke]

Another site...saved you $40.00

http://www.mtcnet.com/redseafish/main.htm

 

[Malcolm_C]

they don't mention the size you need for the tank. in the post i read 1mg\hr per gallon was the recomended dosage, I'm not sure i know what that means.

 

[ldrhawke]

That is normally a max input recommended. I use about 1/2 of that and the controller shuts off the ozone feed once it reaches your set point. On the basis of my feed rates the 200 mg size unit should be able to handle your tank. It may be a little undersized, but that is just being conservative.

You should be feeding it into a skimmer, to improve it's removal efficiency. And sizing is based on the size and through put of your skimmer as much as the size of the tank.

I find it I feed at higer rates, closer to the 1mg per gallon foten talked about, some of coral in my tank appear not to like it as well and do not always open fully. But...that is just my tank.

 

[schanz]

I can't believe I made it to the end of this thread. I have never really contemplated ozone. Has anyone used it to successfully defeat hair algae? bryopsis?

I have seen ozonizers made for spas & hot tubs. I wonder if these are similar enough? I haven't seen any of these however that had output control.

My skimmer right now is churning out skimmate great guns. I'd have to cut back air to the beckett if it got any better.

 

[Travis]

What is the difference between a probe and an electrode. A replacement lab grade ORP probe can be purchased for a pinpoint controller for ~$59. However, a replacement redox electrode can be purchased for the red sea controller for $120.

Are these 2 completely different things? Why the difference in price?

 

[moonpod]

They're the same thing. Not all probes are made equal. There are "standard" and "lab grade". 120 sounds steep to me though. A lab grade ORP from Neptune systems is 80 and they typically have high prices.