Possible electromagnetic interference

[FisheRare]

Any tips for dealing with orp probe readings that drop every time I turn my skimmer on ?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Make sure the AC supply cords are not near each other.

That said, is the drop instantaneous and sustained, or slow building?

Water trapped in a skimmer turned off may drop a lot in a skimmer before it is turned back on, possibly leading to a real drop.

 

[UncommonSense]

Agreed with above. Power cords crossing, or in large coils can produce stray voltage…— this is obviously different from stray current, which can actually zap you!

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/stray-voltage.684833/

 

[FisheRare]

Make sure the AC supply cords are not near each other.

That said, is the drop instantaneous and sustained, or slow building?

Water trapped in a skimmer turned off may drop a lot in a skimmer before it is turned back on, possibly leading to a real drop.

It's a instant drop ,and a few minute build when it's off.I did a 3-hour cable management program, i separated each cord as best as i could installed ferrites on skimmer Eb832, numerous power cords and probes and still every time i turn skimmer on ORP will be around 225 and drop to 203 in a matter of minutes. i even disconnected it from the eb832 and ran it on a different circuit and still get the drop when i turn it on and the increase when i turn it off. i already checked every other piece of equipment and the skimmer is the only one that changes the orp readings. it's a maxspect sk200 jump series skimmer ive had it like 6 months now

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

It's a instant drop ,and a few minute build when it's off.I did a 3-hour cable management program, i separated each cord as best as i could installed ferrites on skimmer Eb832, numerous power cords and probes and still every time i turn skimmer on ORP will be around 225 and drop to 203 in a matter of minutes. i even disconnected it from the eb832 and ran it on a different circuit and still get the drop when i turn it on and the increase when i turn it off. i already checked every other piece of equipment and the skimmer is the only one that changes the orp readings. it's a maxspect sk200 jump series skimmer ive had it like 6 months now

Here's the experiment I'd to to see if it really is electrical and not actual low ORP water in the stopped skimmer.

After the skimmer has been running for a lengthy period (an hour or more) and the ORP is stabilized, unplug it.

Wait and observe ORP for 5 minutes and see if there's any change. Then plug it back in and again look for a change.

Any ORP change with this experiment means its electric, and lack of any change suggests its a real ORP drop.

FWIW, I'm not a fan of shutting off skimmers for this and other reasons.

Why do you turn it off?

 

[JonasRoman]

Any tips for dealing with orp probe readings that drop every time I turn my skimmer on ?

You can try those small black magnetic caps you wrap around the main cord.

 

[UncommonSense]

You can try those small black magnetic caps you wrap around the main cord.

installed ferrites on skimmer Eb832

 

[FisheRare]

It's a instant drop ,and a few minute build when it's off.I did a 3-hour cable management program, i separated each cord as best as i could installed ferrites on skimmer Eb832, numerous power cords and probes and still every time i turn skimmer on ORP will be around 225 and drop to 203 in a matter of minutes. i even disconnected it from the eb832 and ran it on a different circuit and still get the drop when i turn it on and the increase when i turn it off. i already checked every other piece of equipment and the skimmer is the only one that changes the orp readings. it's a maxspect sk200 jump series skimmer ive had it like 6 months now

Here's the experiment I'd to to see if it really is electrical and not actual low ORP water in the stopped skimmer.

After the skimmer has been running for a lengthy period (an hour or more) and the ORP is stabilized, unplug it.

Wait and observe ORP for 5 minutes and see if there's any change. Then plug it back in and again look for a change.

Any ORP change with this experiment means its electric, and lack of any change suggests its a real ORP drop.

FWIW, I'm not a fan of shutting off skimmers for this and other reasons.

Why do you turn it off?

Yes I tried that numerous times and when I turn skimmer on orp drops at least 20mv and soon as I turn it off orp will go right back up to the number it was at or little lower

 

[FisheRare]

Agreed with above. Power cords crossing, or in large coils can produce stray voltage…— this is obviously different from stray current, which can actually zap you!

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/stray-voltage.684833/

It’s definitely electric.i did some cable management and still had the same problem,i repositioned orp probe to a different location in the sump and it seems to be working .no fluctuations at all

 

[UncommonSense]

It’s definitely electric.i did some cable management and still had the same problem,i repositioned orp probe to a different location in the sump and it seems to be working .no fluctuations at all

I do recall my electrician buddy saying the local code called for spacing high voltage and data cables a set distance apart for parallel runs over 18” long; though having high voltage and data run perpendicular to each-other was acceptable!

Could that aspect of cable management be worth a revisit?

 

[FisheRare]

It’s definitely electric.i did some cable management and still had the same problem,i repositioned orp probe to a different location in the sump and it seems to be working .no fluctuations at all

I do recall my electrician buddy saying the local code called for spacing high voltage and data cables a set distance apart for parallel runs over 18” long; though having high voltage and data run perpendicular to each-other was acceptable!

Could that aspect of cable management be worth a revisit?

Absolutely,but my tank is in a pretty tight spot .i was a rookie then so don’t ask me did i leave enough space to work on the back of the tank

 

[FisheRare]

It’s definitely electric.i did some cable management and still had the same problem,i repositioned orp probe to a different location in the sump and it seems to be working .no fluctuations at all

I do recall my electrician buddy saying the local code called for spacing high voltage and data cables a set distance apart for parallel runs over 18” long; though having high voltage and data run perpendicular to each-other was acceptable!

Could that aspect of cable management be worth a revisit?

Yes I will have to unplug everything and rewire it as neatly as possible,I have built a birds nest over the years and I think it has finally caught up to me