Why does Amquel lower ORP readings?

[DasCamel]

Added a couple ounces to about 170g of water and the ORP drooped from 280 to 180 on the apex probe. Normal? Cause? Concern?

 

[billsreef]

It does lower O2 concentrations when first added. So not surprising it would lower the ORP.

 

[DasCamel]

It does lower O2 concentrations when first added. So not surprising it would lower the ORP.

Interesting, because it took 48 hours for probe readings to rebound back to normal. In my case around 285.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

When you are measuring ORP, what you are actually measuring is the relative ratio of various redox active metals, such as manganese, iron, etc.

Adding anything that is a reducing agent or an "antioxidant" can skew these ratios and lower ORP.

The primary ingredient in Amquel is a complicated molecule and could have a variety of reactions in seawater that are not clearly understood, even by the original inventor. Those reactions will last for a period until the material (hydroxymethanesulfonate) is depleted.

 

[DasCamel]

Time of measurement.

Time of measurement.

When you are measuring ORP, what you are actually measuring is the relative ratio of various redox active metals, such as manganese, iron, etc.

Adding anything that is a reducing agent or an "antioxidant" can skew these ratios and lower ORP.

The primary ingredient in Amquel is a complicated molecule and could have a variety of reactions in seawater that are not clearly understood, even by the original inventor. Those reactions will last for a period until the material (hydroxymethanesulfonate) is depleted.

I was looking at the graph from Apex, so measuring/charting it constantly. I caught a small ammonia spike from adding fish back into the DT too fast after a 5 week fallow period. Added the Amquel and just noticed ORP drop off quickly.

At approximately 48 hours after it jumped back up rapidly and now fluctuates daily between 320-340. I was more curious about how Amquel works and if it was dropping oxygen saturation of the water.

How does the final reacted molecule leave the system, can the bacteria break it down?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I address it here, but as far as I now, it is unknown. Probably eaten by some bacteria:

Ammonia and the Reef Aquarium
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-02/rhf/index.php