ORP monitoring and controlling....

[Pman]

what is the importance of monitoring and controlling the ORP in a reef tank? Is it a must? I am looking to add a calcium reactor to my system adn will be controlling it with a PH controller..probaby a Milwaukee brand( any input on these controllers?) adn wonder if I should opt for the controller with ORP controls as well. Thanks in advance!

[SPasse]

Pman,

ORP is one of those parameters that is somewhat useful if you monitor trends as opposed to chasing after a particular number.

Back when ozone injection was more prevalent, this was more of a concern, as too much ozone would exhibit itself as “too high” of an ORP reading.

I use Aquacontrollers so ORP readings are available to me but nowadays I don’t bother with keeping my ORP probes in working order.

A protracted downward trend in ORP is often indicative of excess organic decay in an established system.

Monitoring ORP is certainly not necessary in a reef system, most people do not monitor it, they just watch the “visual” signals of their critters to determine the overall health of their systems.

Regards,

Scott