Thinking of Running Ozone

[MtnDewMan]

Okay, I know this has been talked about before here but thought I would bring it up again ...

After listening to Anthony talk last month, I have been contemplating the use of Ozone in my tank. It has been at least a few months of me stewing on the idea. Now that my tank is full of nice new live rock, the thinking is getting stronger. I know Ozone can really clear up the water, I also know that if used wrong it could be a detriment.

I am thinking about a very small ozone unit, starting at very low levels T'ing the ozone into the air intake of the skimmer and putting some carbon in the outlet side of the skimmer and maybe even in the nasty collection cup area.

Before I do, just wanted some last minute thoughts from the crew here

 

[mojoreef]

After listening to Anthony talk last month

Oh yea it takes Anthony to convince ya?? lol

Should be fine Chuck as long as you run the carbon on the output of the skimmer. You can get a monitor (orp) to watch things if you want more safety. Big thing on the ozone is to make sure you feed it dry air, any moisture and it really retards the ozone production.

Make sure you acclimate your corals to your lights again once you start using it. Alot of folks dont do this and then the clarity of the water overloads the corals with light.


Mike

 

[aquariumdebacle]

If you use a small unit (25mg) you can be assured you are not going to "over do it." if you are looking to make it more effective an ORP controller is a must to prevent overdosing the system. The carbon is also a must in the larger units because of the detrimental health effects associated with ozone. Make sure that your skimmer is compatible with ozone. It is very reactive and will destroy equipment that is not compatible, this includes tubing. You might want to consider an advanced controller that will take care of the pH, CO2, temperature all in the same unit. It can then be put "online" and monitored from the Internet.

 

[MikeS]

Along these same lines, I've seen O3 and UV sterilizers often mentioned in the same discussions...why? Do UV sterilizers somehow produce O3 in the tank, and if so, how?

MikeS

 

[mojoreef]

Do UV sterilizers somehow produce O3 in the tank, and if so, how?

A small amount of ozone is made on the interface of the glass shield that surrounds the bulb in the UV.


Mike

 

[dgasmd]

I use it and like it. However, I do use a ridiculously small amount. Works great for me. I do not use my unit with a dryer, although it is the better way of doing it. The reason is that humidity levels year round in FL are ridiculously high, so I would ahve to re-charge these things daily.

 

[MtnDewMan]

Thanks for the info guys ... So what do you think I would need for my small tank?

25 or 50 mg unit?
Do I need a special controller? I have an aquacontroller already with an orp probe
I guess I need an air dryer
Ozone resistant tubing
T-Connection
airline check valve?

My Deltec skimmer is ozone compatible

Any unit that is recommended?

 

[tamarindthai]

just watch your orp very closely,chuck<410

 

[aquariumdebacle]

I reccomend a 100mg unit for the controller. That will ensure that you have enough to do the job. A small unit (25mg) could probably be left on without monitoring or control but a 50 mg unit might be too much without control. It is between safe and monitored/controlled. I would also recommend that you get a unit that uses electrostatic discharge as opposed to a unit that generates ozone with UV. The air dryer improves efficiancy but needs to be regenerated by baking the media in an oven when it turns color.

 

[kevinpo]

Hi Chuck,
I would recommend the Red Sea 100 mg/hr unit. I run them and they work fine. A unit that size for your tank will not require an air dryer (but it will be more efficient if you supply dry air). I have mine set at 350 on the ORP. Be sure to cut back your photo period for a week or two. Many of my corals turned brown for about 4 months after I first started using ozone due to the increased light penetration.

Regards,
Kevin

 

[jlehigh]

Chuck... I'm in the same boat with you. Anthony said allot of good things about ozone and clear water would be sweet to say the least..

After the meeting in the parking lot I spoke to Anthony in more detail. He highly reccomended getting a commercial generator versus the units made for hobbiests. It looks like Aquatic Ecosystems has some quality units.

Ozone Guys: Has anyone thought of running their air intake from a heater vent? I ask because I would think a gas furnace would dry the air significantly and I also have a high end electronic particle filter that zaps dust/pollen ect ect..

 

[Boomer]

MDM

Go over to our chem foum on RC, in the search type me in and Ozone. It will take you a day or two to read it all Let me know if you have any questions. Wait here is a link if it works for you

http://reefcentral.com/forums/searc...=5255493&sortby=lastpost&sortorder=descending

Any unit that is recommended?

Yes, only Sanders's for me, they have been at it for more than 2 decades

 

[NaH2O]

Well, I'll have to try the link again later on in the day.

Here's a question. Someone had ingrained in my head early on when I was learning about reef tanks, that ozone is not good for people that have respiratory problems such as asthma. If there is some that gets in the air, it can irritate the lining of lungs, and potentially cause issues. My little one has asthma, so the thought of making it worse for her because of ozone on the tank scares me. I understand that controllers are the way to go to be safe, but I am curious if I put a small unit on my system - what the chances, when used with a controller, that ozone would get into the air and cause issues? It seems like carbon is a must.. Trying to gather info because I feel my tank would really benefit from its use. Thanks ! And no Mike...it didn't take Chuck or Anthony to convince me...hehehehe

 

[Boomer]

By the way, a couple of guys here said you don't need an air dryer if the unit is small enough. That is not a very bright idea as moisture affects ozone production and leads to the formation of nitric acid. Nitric acid is very corrosive and can react with many things to include self-destruction of your ozone generator . Lastly, N is a big enough problem already so you do not need to be self generating more. Furthermore, normal humidity can decrease its output by +70 %. Also, even warmer air temps around the unit can drop the production.

 

[Boomer]

J

ask because I would think a gas furnace would dry the air significantl

Good thought, but hydrocarbons will lower its production rate, as will the warmer air.

 

[dgasmd]

Well, I'll have to try the link again later on in the day.

Here's a question. Someone had ingrained in my head early on when I was learning about reef tanks, that ozone is not good for people that have respiratory problems such as asthma. If there is some that gets in the air, it can irritate the lining of lungs, and potentially cause issues. My little one has asthma, so the thought of making it worse for her because of ozone on the tank scares me. I understand that controllers are the way to go to be safe, but I am curious if I put a small unit on my system - what the chances, when used with a controller, that ozone would get into the air and cause issues? It seems like carbon is a must.. Trying to gather info because I feel my tank would really benefit from its use. Thanks ! And no Mike...it didn't take Chuck or Anthony to convince me...hehehehe

Nikki:

You ahve to put things into perspective here. You know all of us reefers ultra exagerate everything and make it so it makes no sense whatsoever to anyone but us. Remember, these are the same people that have huge issues with not sealing their starboard to the bottom because it can trap a smidget of dirt on it

Does ozone, or any other corrosive gas for that matter, irritate you respiratory track and can cause lots of medical problems? Yes, you bet it does. So is kalk powder for that matter. However, you must have such gigantic concentrations of this stuff in a sealed home that it will be almost ridiculous for it to happen at the insultingly small doses we use. Put some carbon in the air output of you skimmer (feed your skimmer with it) and you (and your daughter) should be more than fine. Just be diligent at changing the carbon every once in a while.

People are funny about what they don't know much about because they make hard rules and laws out of loose comments of other people that either don't know any better or simply made something up. Then, they go about propagating this stuff in an almost evangelical way. I am not talking about you in particular by the way

Almost the same goes with CO2 tanks in the Ca reactors. Mos tpeople go to great lengths and expense to have a solenoid, but they never stop for one second to really think about why is it for and how would it work. If they did, they would never buy one :lol:

 

[MtnDewMan]

Thanks for all of the info, lots to wade through. Yep, RC has a ton of info over there as well, thanks for the link Boomer ...

Time to read

 

[aquariumdebacle]

I would still error on the side of caution when using ozone. People that are sensitive to it are affected by much smaller concentrations than normal people. I would recommend using charcoal on the effluent regardless of the situation. Especially as it will reduce odors along with ozone. If you can smell the ozone it is too much. Use charcoal made from coconut shells as it is designed to filter air rather than water. Be sure to change it at least bi-weekly if not weekly to ensure maximum effect. Most importantly pay attention to the people that are sensitive as they may not know and or understand the affects until it is causing problems.

 

[plack]

aquariumdebacle _what specifically should we be looking for what can happen I am following along as well and do not know what effects or problems it could cause to people and am very interested in this and very curious I am not planning on doing this soon but do have in mind to do this down the road a bit ?
"People that are sensitive to it are affected by much smaller concentrations than normal people."..."Most importantly pay attention to the people that are sensitive as they may not know and or understand the affects until it is causing problems."

 

[Boomer]

dg

However, you must have such gigantic concentrations of this stuff in a sealed home that it will be almost ridiculous for it to happen at the insultingly small doses we use.

reefers ultra exagerate ......that would be you here A


I think first you need to get a handle on ozone This is nonsense. You seem to forget what may happen if the ozone discharge line falls off most of these units for some reason or a broken or cracked line and they have. Don't be pointing out this stuff unless you are going to cover it and explain it.

People are funny about what they don't know much

Sorry dg but that is you IMHO and I used ozone for 30 years


You need to do some reading about the health hazards of ozone. Ozone is fine to use in this hobby as long as YOU KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING
http://www.airinfonow.com/html/ed_ozone.html

Really sorry if I sound rude but your statments were very unsetting to me so try and forgive me bud