orp reading

[purplesprite]

so hoefully someone can help me out on this one?I recently decieded to hook up the orp probe on my aquacontroller and the orp reading is at 399.steady.sometimes it will drop a little, but not very much.I do run a 15 watt uv sterillizer(spelling?) for about 12 hrs a day.Is this a normal orp level? thanks
-jj

[NaCl_H2O]

What size tank, and how heavy is your bio-load? DSB or BB?

ORP of 399 sounds on the high side to me, close to too high. I run a 200mg ORP full blast 24x7 (500g system) and ORP never goes over about 330. I have always thought 350 was an upper target, and above that you were removing too much organics.

Any chance it might be a probe calibration problem?

Maybe Gary or Todd can offer their thoughts?

[GaryP]

OK, here we go again.

Are your ORP meters calibrated? The same thing applies to them as does pH meters, salinity meters, or any of your other electronic "gadgets." The data you get from them is only as good as the user and the maintenance schedule used on them. I don't mean to be overly critical here but I have seen a lot of people led down a rosey path based on the data they got from uncalibrated, or otherwise improperly maintained instruments.

PS, the fact that the ORP reading never changes leads me to think its not operating properly. There should be some change during the day as plants produce CO2 and O2. Are you using ozone or just the UV?

[NaCl_H2O]

... but I have seen a lot of people led down a rosey path based on the data they got from uncalibrated, or otherwise improperly maintained instruments.

Hey, let's start a list ... put me on it :huh

We can make T-Shirts with a big scarlet "C" on it ;)

[GaryP]

Steve, you are the official trail blazer for the rosey technology path.