| This article is based on a study about the Redox | | | | from a mass of water) are oxidized to the |
| Potential as it corresponds to humans and all fish | | | | hydrophilic forms (a molecule or portion of a |
| and animals. Although not a well known process | | | | molecule is one that is typically charge-polarized |
| among many aquarists, the implications of Redox | | | | and capable of hydrogen bonding, enabling it to |
| for a healthy aquarium are quite far reaching, and | | | | dissolve more readily in water than in oil or other |
| thus important for any aquarist considering | | | | hydrophobic solvents), which are characterized by |
| moving from basic aquarium (or pond) keeping to | | | | the better biological compatibility. Energy of |
| advanced to understand. | | | | oxidation of degrading organic compounds is |
| Redox, also known as Redox Potential, oxidation | | | | absorbed during reduction chemical |
| potential, & ORP (oxidation reduction | | | | transformations. Excess of ions of the heavy |
| potential) describes the ability for the loss of an | | | | elements transforms into insoluble, inert, nontoxic |
| electron by a molecule, atom or ion to the gain of | | | | forms. Concentration of ions of light elements is |
| an electron by another molecule, atom or ion. | | | | stabilized. Just in such water live the water |
| Without this ability to gain electrons many minerals | | | | organisms, and land animals drink such water. |
| cannot be absorbed and properly assimilated. So it | | | | Spring waters, which are considered to be the |
| is very important to keep a healthy Redox | | | | most clean according to the ecological criteria, are |
| Balance via proper dissolved oxygen levels, UV | | | | filtered through the rocks and subjected to the |
| Sterilization, and proper positively charged mineral | | | | oxidation and reduction, sorption and catalytic |
| levels (such as Calcium and Magnesium). A proper | | | | influence. As rule, they are mineralized and include |
| Redox Potential improves the health of humans | | | | non-volatile organic substances, which are |
| AND fish. A Redox Potential in the -200 to -400 | | | | detected by the permanganate oxidability |
| mV range in human studies has been shown to | | | | (expressed by oxidability by potassium |
| have the same affect as anti-oxidant preparations | | | | permanganate and potassium dichromate). |
| such Vitamin C (and many others). | | | | After electrochemical purification water keeps its |
| A UV Sterilizer can help balance the normal | | | | initial neutral values of pH, but ORP (Oxidation |
| oxidizing processes by adding electrons, as more | | | | Reduction Potential) of water shifts toward the |
| and more current research in human studies is | | | | negative (electrode or reduction) values. The |
| bearing out. This shows that the health of | | | | resulting purified water obtains the antioxidant |
| aquarium fish can be maintained by a UV Sterilizer | | | | properties with characteristics of pharmacological |
| not just by the killing of potential disease | | | | activity close to the properties of the antioxidant |
| pathogens, but by the maintenance of a proper | | | | preparations (a -tocopherol, b -carotene, vitamin C |
| Redox Potential. I have been observing many | | | | etc.). In case of dilution of polyvitamin preparations |
| aquariums of such "ordinary" fish as goldfish, both | | | | in electrochemically purified water ORP of |
| with and without UV Sterilizers (keep in mind that | | | | mixtures is decreased approximately by 200 - |
| some UVs are useless by design and installation), | | | | 400 mV in relation to the control solutions with |
| and the goldfish with every other factor equal | | | | non-treated drinking water. |
| that had a UV Sterilizer installed, were generally | | | | This partially explains how a proper Redox |
| much healthier. | | | | Potential improves the health of the fish or other |
| Over geologic time abiogenic (not biological in | | | | aquatic organisms as I have observed. Bringing |
| origin), biogenic (produced by living organisms) and | | | | this back to my observations of goldfish |
| anthropogenic (processes are those that are | | | | aquariums; All aquariums with the same filtration |
| derived from human activities, as opposed to | | | | (canister filter with sponge filter), the same |
| effects or processes that occur in the natural | | | | feeding schedule and food, even the same basic |
| environment without human influences) deposits | | | | goldfish (a mix of ryukins and orandas); The |
| were accumulated in rivers, lakes and seas. | | | | aquariums with the quality, properly installed UV |
| Simultaneously there proceeded the | | | | Sterilizers not only had less incidence of disease, |
| self-purification of natural water on the basis of | | | | but general health, appetite, vigor, growth, and |
| the chemical reactions of oxidation and reduction. | | | | water clarity were all improved. |
| Living organisms such as fish are adapted not to | | | | A few aspects of aquarium or pond husbandry |
| "perfectly clean water", such as distillated water, | | | | that will help maintain a balanced Redox: |
| but to ecologically clean water with definite | | | | (1) Regular and effective water changes (for both |
| content of organic and inorganic compounds, | | | | sides of the Redox equation) |
| micro-admixtures, ions and even bacteria or | | | | (2) IMPORTANT: Proper AND ONGOING |
| saprophyte (any plant that depends on dead plant | | | | mineralization, especially of calcium and magnesium |
| or animal tissue for a source of nutrition and | | | | cations (that is calcium & magnesium that |
| metabolic energy, e.g., most fungi). The range of | | | | has not been reduced and is positively charged). |
| mentioned components of ecologically clean water | | | | (3) UV Sterilization (even correct lighting) |
| is the integral result of oxidation and reduction | | | | (4) Good de-nitrification, plant filtration. |
| self-purification of water. | | | | (4) Keeping the production of nitric acid to a |
| At the initial stages of this cycle toxic hydrophobic | | | | minimum and balancing this out with adequate KH |
| organic compounds (molecules that are repelled | | | | levels. |