So what the heck is ORP?

F

Frogspawn

ORP;

I keep seeing the reference with the acronym but not enough information to explain it. Help me out here eh!

Thanks
 
Oxydation Reduction Potential

Loosely put, it could be a way of measuring oxygen content, but, there are so many variables to water chemistry, chemically and biologically, even good readings could have issues with oxygen content. So not entirely reliable as a way to measure oxygen content.

It is an accepted way to measure a balance between oxidizers that break down waste products and other compounds needed for the life cycle of the tank. In this balance you don't want ORP to be to high (or so pure that nothing lives), or, so low that the tank is polluted.

here is the link that was provided to me a month ago - very good reading
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-12/rhf/feature/index.php

Pete
 
One of the more interesting statements in the article:

So is ORP measurement and control recommended for nonscientists who also happen to be reef aquarists? My suggestion is no. There are interesting things to learn by measuring ORP, and I recommend that everyone with any interest read the following sections to better understand it and decide for themselves if it is worth doing or not. Nevertheless, I have not measured ORP in my aquarium for years, despite having the tools at hand. It is simply not very high on the list of things that one can usefully do to maintain a high quality reef aquarium, in my opinion.

Although like much of this hobby it's an opinion on value.
 
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