Digital ORP Pen Tester, Pocket-Size ORP Meter

Have you ever performed a test of pool water, aquarium water or a water source for drinking and still got confused about the results? The issue here may lie in a lack of oxidation reduction potential measurement as pH measurement alone does not give you enough information. Thus, a reliable Digital ORP Pen Tester, Pocket-size ORP Meter will help you perform a precise test to know water's exact sanitisation potential. This article covers what the ORP measurement tells you, where a small meter finds its application and what you should pay attention to while choosing an ORP meter.

ORP Measurement and What It Tells You

The Oxidation Reduction Potential is the measurement of a sample's oxidizing ability which is expressed in millivolts on your display. The higher ORP reading you get means the more effective sanitization process takes place. That is why pool operators, aquaculture technicians and water treatment specialists use the ORP meter besides the pH test because in some cases ORP measurement is much more important than pH measurement. While the former gives a general estimate of the water condition, the latter allows measuring the oxidative power of a liquid sample directly. In this way, an ORP meter is used together with pH testing to determine the level of chlorine or ozone in a water sample.

The Value of Pocket-Size ORP Meters

Pocket-size ORP meters were designed specifically for such testing tasks as those done by pool maintenance crews, aquarium owners and field technicians. It is impossible to work outdoors or at different sites with a large meter so there are portable ORP testers that have a replaceable probe, digital display and automatic temperature compensation. All these features help you make your work easier and faster if you need to test water samples from a few tanks or pools in one day.

Common Applications to Be Familiar With

Pool and spa water testing is probably the most common use scenario where professionals use ORP to make sure that sanitisers work correctly even when a regular test strip doesn't detect it. Aquaculture and aquarium management is another popular field for using ORP meters, as the health of aquatic animals greatly depends on the oxidisation level in water and the changes in ORP readings usually reveal filtration or aeration issues even before the appearance of some other signs. And industrial wastewater treatment plants use ORP meters for monitoring how efficiently contaminants break down during water treatment.

What You Should Pay Attention to Before Purchasing

Electrode quality is more important than many potential buyers believe, as a bad quality electrode becomes unreliable really fast requiring constant recalibration. The thing is that it's crucial to have a high-quality digital ORP pen with replaceable sensor cap, because a sealed electrode requires too frequent recalibrations. Calibration solutions availability and calibration instructions from the manufacturer are also an important factor to consider, as ORP electrodes become unstable when exposed to air.

Final Words

A proper ORP meter is much more than just a handy device; sometimes, it is actually the key to efficient water quality monitoring. Compare the available ORP meters based on electrode quality and calibration possibilities to choose a durable meter for regular usage.