ORP is a measure of the oxidation or reduction potential of your water.
An
orp meter is an early warning system for any water problems you may have.
ORP is a direct measure of the pollution index of your water.
In layman's terms ORP is a measure of pollution in your pond water.
In your koi pond you want oxidation reactions to occur.This is because they indicate the breakdown of water products. This means the higher the ORP level, the less polluted the pond and the lower the ORP level, the more polluted the pond.
An ORP meter is only as good as its probe so a replaceable probe option is a must.
Mv meters are the most accurate way of testing for your water quality and bio load, which is very important for judging when to do water changes and to make sure nothing is starting to go wrong.
The higher the reading the ORP reading the better quality your water is and visa versa. these meters are invaluable in knowing the health of your tank or pond.
The ORP water proof pen style meter is designed and made for high accurate precision measurements. Easy to use and read with its large LCD display that shows 3 point reading clearly. the meter also has a hold function so you can note your accurate reading away from the tank or pond.
Due to its replaceable probe there is no reason why this ORP meter can not last a lifetime.
Digital ORP meters are fast becoming the largest selling digital aquatic meter due to the high accuracy and ease of use.
What is
ORP and REDOX?
Redox or better know of short as ORP is eminently important as an indicator not only of a system's capacity for cycling waste, but indeed of chemically supporting fish, plant, and invertebrate life. There are both oxidation (e.g. biological conversion of ammonia to nitrites to nitrates) and reduction (ridding systems of nitrate aka denitrification, bio-phosphate PO3) that must occur readily in a truly closed system to support (macro-)life.
Redox is measured indirectly as the ability of an aquatic system to conduct electricity, in millivolts (mV, 1/1000 of a volt). Hence the term Redox potential, or, if you will, ORP for, you guessed it, Oxidation-Reduction Potential. Testing can be done periodically, but ORP can change so rapidly that in order to fully benefit, most people who are so inclined, check the reading on a daily basis.
Quick Summary of ORP levels as applied to koi ponds:
At readings of below 150, significant improvements to the filtration of the pond should be made as soon as possible to avoid massive fish health problems.
At readings between 150 to 200, fish health will not be marginal, with green water and slime algae a usual occurrence, especially in the absence of UV lights.
At readings between 200 to 250, fish health will usually be okay, but not optimum, and stringy algae or blanket weed will normally be a problem.
Readings between 250 and 400 reflect good to superb water quality, and prevention of fish health problems by water excellent water quality control.
The higher end of this range is preferred over the lower end for dependably good fish health and fast fish growth.
Readings between 400 and 450 reflect the use of either potassium permanganate or ozone to increase water quality by addition of a chemical oxidant to the pond to oxidize the various dissolved organic compounds and solid waste materials on the pond bottoms and in the filter systems.
Readings in this range usually do not harm the useful bacteria in biofilters if the length of time is less than 30 minutes in this range.Readings between 475 and 550 reflect active potassium permanganate levels which should kill fish parasites without harming the fish, and quickly oxidize pollutants, provided the fish exposure is only a few hours per week.
Water with ORP in this range should not be circulated in biofilters since the useful bacteria may be oxidized significantly.
Readings between 550 and 600 should not be continued for more than 15 minutes because of likely damage to the gills of fish.Water with readings above 700 will sterilize a system of all life forms in about 10 to 15 minutes
