The Redox Potential in Aquariums and How it Promotes a Healthy Aquarium Environment

This article is based on a study about the Redox Potential as it corresponds to humans and all fish and animals. I have found from practical experience and research, that a lot more can be learned from medical studies than from the anecdotal writing of many aquarists. I have found this with medication recommendations too, as many times gram positive medications such as penicillin are recommended with no chance of curing their sick fish. Back to UV Sterilization; UV Sterilization is often trashed by un-informed aquarists who do not really know what UVs can and cannot do, and also the quality and proper installation of the unit also plays a roll in the UV Sterilizers effectiveness.

This pertains to the Redox potential of -300-350 mV that can aided by a properly installed UV Sterilizer along with the correct balance of electrolytes (which can in part be measured by GH). Often aquarium information is inaccurate or anecdotal as to the importance of trace elements/electrolytes in an aquarium or pond. This misinformation also spreads to UV Sterilizers and the lack of understanding of the Redox potential (even if this is not a parameter that needs regular testing, it is still essential.

Over geologic time abiogenic (not biological in origin), biogenic (produced by living organisms) and anthropogenic (processes are those that are derived from human activities, as opposed to effects or processes that occur in the natural environment without human influences) deposits were accumulated in rivers, lakes and seas. Simultaneously there proceeded the self-purification of natural water based on the chemical reactions of oxidation and reduction. Living organisms such as fish are adapted not to "perfectly clean water", such as distillated water, but to ecologically clean water with definite content of organic and inorganic compounds, micro-admixtures, ions and even bacteria or even fungi. The range of mentioned components of ecologically clean water is the integral result of oxidation and reduction self-purification of water.

At the initial stages of this cycle toxic hydrophobic organic compounds (molecules that are repelled from a mass of water) are oxidized to the hydrophilic forms (a molecule or portion of a molecule is one that is typically charge-polarized and capable of hydrogen bonding, enabling it to dissolve more readily in water than in oil or other hydrophobic solvents), which are characterized by the better biological compatibility. Energy of oxidation of degrading organic compounds is absorbed during reduction chemical transformations. Excess of ions of the heavy elements transforms into insoluble, inert, nontoxic forms. Concentration of ions of light elements is stabilized. Just in such water live the water organisms, and land animals drink such water.

Spring waters, which are considered to be the most clean according to the ecological criteria, are filtered through the rocks and subjected to the oxidation and reduction, sorption and catalytic influence. As rule, they are mineralized and include non-volatile organic substances, which are detected by the permanganate oxidability (expressed by oxidability by potassium permanganate and potassium dichromate).

After electrochemical purification water keeps its initial neutral values of pH, but ORP (Oxidation Reduction Potential) of water shifts toward the negative (electrode or reduction) values. The resulting purified water obtains the antioxidant properties with characteristics of pharmacological activity close to the properties of the antioxidant preparations (a -tocopherol, b -carotene, vitamin C etc.). In case of dilution of polyvitamin preparations in electrochemically purified water ORP of mixtures is decreased approximately by 200  400 mV in relation to the control solutions with non-treated drinking water. This partially explains how a proper Redox Potential improves the health of the fish or other aquatic organisms as I have observed. Bringing this back to my observations of goldfish aquariums; All aquariums with the same filtration (canister filter with sponge filter), the same feeding schedule and food, even the same basic goldfish (a mix of ryukins and orandas); The aquariums with the quality, properly installed UV Sterilizers not only had less incidence of disease, but general health, appetite, vigor, growth, and water clarity were all improved.

One final note about the Redox Potential; Before it seems that you must rush out and buy a UV Sterilizer to maintain your Redox Potential, you can maintain your aquarium's Redox Potential through proper water changes with ion balanced clean water, ozone generators, even tubes in the water column with water flowing against a column of air. I have just found that a UV Sterilizer is the simplest and most predictable way to do so.