MDM & Nikki
1. Do you need an air pump to supply air to the ozonizer? If so, how do you size what air pump you need for this application?
Well, I advise to use one. The only other way is venturi action from venturi action skimmers. The issue here is you do not have a clue what the flow rate is. But allot of people do it this way which is fine. The pump size depends on the size of the ozone unit. Go to the Sander's link I posted above, they give ozone unit size base on net water volume and pumps size in l / hr required for each ozone unit they make. I would suggest getting a pump with a control dial on it if you go pump.
2. Can you use a brass tee to tee in the ozone with the skimmer air inlet? Would brass be harmful? If so, where can I get a durable tee fitting for this application?
Yes you can but it is not the greatest thing. I just addressed this on our chem forum and Grim threw some things in. I also posted some links on what zone affects. This is the thread in short.
My ozone gen melted my last plastic tee (which was sold as ozone safe) and until I can find some better ones I have used a brass tee and brass hose barb. Will the ozone / air mix flowing thru the brass cause a copper problem ?
Thanks
Carson
I am assuming you are using a Tee to sidestream feed your existing skimmer air intake with pumped ozone (not sucked).
Get oversized tees, they need to be large enough to fit your ozone tubing (teflon, neoprene, tygon, etc) *INSIDE* the tee snug. What you do is slip the ozone feed into the perpendicular leg of the tee, slip the airline feed for the skimmer into one of the other legs, the airline feed of the skimmer should also be made of ozone resistant tubing. Be sure when you fit the tubing inside the Tee you don't block off any other end of the tee.
Also, standard Nylon tees should last relatively long when used with ozone, are you using some kind of aquarium airline tee?
Grim
After reading that article from Boomer, it is a wonder that there is anything left that is not melted. I printed the list of ozone compatibility and will try to find some fittings that should be ok.
Grim in your reply you mentioned that the ozone supply was pumped not sucked. The way I have it now is the hose from the Venturi goes in the bottom of the tee with the ozone being sucked in the side fitting of the tee and an needle valve on the top. With the air free flowing thru the ozone gen I still have control of the fresh air going thru the needle valve. This configuration seems to be working (should it not ?)
Also the way I read your idea is that the tubing is to go inside the tee and not on the outside of the tee where the barbs are. Is this correct, I would assume that this would reduce the area of the tee exposed to the ozone ??
The plastic tees that melted were sold to me as polycarbonate which should be good as per the chart from Boomer but I have no way to know if it actually was that material.
Thanks for the help
Carson
Boomer
Here is more on the reaction of ozone with various materials. As far as the corrosion of brass goes and entering the aquarium it may depend on air flow and can small pieces maybe "blown" into the water through the air line. A post brass fitting air filter should stop this
Materials affected by ozone
http://palimpsest.stanford.edu/waac/wn/wn07/wn07-3/wn07-302.html
A list of ozone materials and their rating. PLEASE check all the links on this website there is lots there on ozone, ie., air flow, diffusers, venturi, ozone chemistry, etc, etc,.
http://www.ozoneapplications.com/info/ozone_compatible_materials.htm
Nickle plated metals are also inactive to Ozone. There are lots of ozone companies that use brass fittings but it is all not that good
Spood
-Cleaner water (Im sure the SPS will enjoy that) - but does that mean better polyp extention?
YES, WHICH GIVES BETTER LIGHT PENETRATION
-better oxygen exchange
NO, NO REALLY. O3 DOES NOT EFFECT THE O2 ALL THAT MUCH
-less DOCs
YES BUT GAG CAN DO THAT ALSO, SAME FOR CLEARED WATER
-more active skimmer
YES TO A SLIGHT DEGREE BUT IF THE OZONE IS CRANKED UP TO MUCH IT WILL BE LESS AS THE SURFACE TENSION WILL CHANGE
-anything else?
how does one size the 03 to the tank size? I have 250 gallons of water which unit should i be looking at?
GO TO THE Sanders LINK I POSTED UP THE THREAD IT IS ALL THERE.
All of you should think about a ORP controller. Make sure you use an air dryer and post treat all water with GAG. Make sure all fittings leaving the ozonizer can not be knocked off and are protected from you, kids, dogs, cat etc.. Use the right materials, start slow with the unit. Inspect all connections once a month. Ozonizers also have to be cleaned. Sanders units come with such cleaning equipment. Make sure there is a GAG cup on the skimmer air vent.
Here is the Sander's link again
http://www.aqua-sander.de/index.en.html
A note;
Ozone dial settings are based on net gals. The range of that is .2- .5 mg / gal Ozone. Meaning if you have 90 net gals, then .2 x 90 t0 . 5 x 90 or the dial should be set from 18mg - 45 mg. But remember that temp, moisture and air flow are at ideal so usually the level is bumped up at tad. Reason for a controller , so YOU KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING
You do not want to EXCEED 450 mV ORP
