JoeBlog Posted August 2, 2005 Report Share Posted August 2, 2005 Does anyone use ozone in their tanks? I am thinking of adding an ozonizer to my system and just wanted to ask for others experiences. If anyone has one for sale, please let me know as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wasp Posted August 2, 2005 Report Share Posted August 2, 2005 It was a good thing in the days of less efficient skimmers, as a means to increase skimming power, oxidize nasties that were being left behind by the skimmer, and some other lesser functions. Some people still swear by it, others have moved on to more modern methods based on better filtration generally. Ozone may be counter productive to some filtration methods. Others will disagree, but IMO it should be regarded as a means to beef up a filtration system that could use improvement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeBlog Posted August 2, 2005 Author Report Share Posted August 2, 2005 It was a good thing in the days of less efficient skimmers, as a means to increase skimming power, oxidize nasties that were being left behind by the skimmer, and some other lesser functions. Some people still swear by it, others have moved on to more modern methods based on better filtration generally. Ozone may be counter productive to some filtration methods. Others will disagree, but IMO it should be regarded as a means to beef up a filtration system that could use improvement. Very interesting... The whole reason that I considered it is because many of the tanks that I have seen and thought were very impressive on RC were running ozone. This may also be a function of the "Bomber influence" since most of these tanks are associated with his threads and BB. At any rate, what do you mean as far as improving the filtration method? My goal is to simply use a BIG skimmer, very high flow with BB, heaps of rock, ozone and possibly a large UV. The comments that I especially like about the ozone is that it makes your water crystal clear. Everyone that has started using ozone has mentioned in their posts that they "thought" their water was clear until they started using it, and now they can't believe it. I just mention this since I am anticipating everyone chirping in with "well, my water is as clear as it gets...", but they still haven't used ozone on their tanks before to compare. I would like to hear how those that are using or have in the past used ozone thought of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reef Posted August 3, 2005 Report Share Posted August 3, 2005 I have used ozone on my main tank, it really clears the water. But i found that it causes Nitrates. Best to use ozone once a week for a few hours. Ozone and UV also kills all the good bactaria, If you want clear water get some zeolite, make sure it can be used in seawater, When using zeolite the water goes crystal clear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeBlog Posted August 3, 2005 Author Report Share Posted August 3, 2005 I have used ozone on my main tank, it really clears the water. But i found that it causes Nitrates. Best to use ozone once a week for a few hours. Ozone and UV also kills all the good bactaria, If you want clear water get some zeolite, make sure it can be used in seawater, When using zeolite the water goes crystal clear. Nitrates... DAMN. I haven't heard much of that from others, but most of the posts are from new users and may not have run it long enough to experience that negative effect. I've also been thinking about some sort of a "zeo-" system and have been perusing the zeovit website recently just to see what all the hype is about (good and bad, although the information on their site is a bit biased toward “goodâ€). What brand zeolite do you use Reef? Tunze? Is this a Zeovit equivalent? Sorry for such a basic question, but what does the zeolite stuff actually do, i.e. absorb nutrients, break them down for easier removal via skimmer, etc… all of which would lead to “clear†water and healthy, colorful SPS corals? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lduncan Posted August 3, 2005 Report Share Posted August 3, 2005 Sorry for such a basic question, but what does the zeolite stuff actually do, i.e. absorb nutrients, break them down for easier removal via skimmer, etc… all of which would lead to “clear†water and healthy, colorful SPS corals? Surely you've come across all those threads? I would use UV over ozone. It's a lot less risky, but with virtually all the benifits. I will be using UV when I upgrade the tank. Downside is that a UV is more expensive than ozone initially. UV or ozone doesn't kill all the good bacteria. Just the stuff floating in the water. This may also be a function of the "Bomber influence" since most of these tanks are associated with his threads and BB. At any rate, what do you mean as far as improving the filtration method? My goal is to simply use a BIG skimmer, very high flow with BB, heaps of rock, ozone and possibly a large UV. Bomber really makes you think about why you are doing things and what you are trying to really achieve. His methods for keeping sps, make perfect sense to me. Layton Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brianemone Posted August 3, 2005 Report Share Posted August 3, 2005 isnt ozone more expensive? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lduncan Posted August 3, 2005 Report Share Posted August 3, 2005 A UV for my tank would run at least $700. What's an ozone worth? $400 - $600 maybe? Layton Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeBlog Posted August 3, 2005 Author Report Share Posted August 3, 2005 Surely you've come across all those threads? I certainly don't want to start that again!! I would use UV over ozone. It's a lot less risky, but with virtually all the benifits. I will be using UV when I upgrade the tank. Downside is that a UV is more expensive than ozone initially. It's the cost initial cost of the UV that is holding me back from going that route right now. I would imagine that the running costs of the UV would be more as well taking into account replacement bulbs along with electricity, but that is simply a guess. Also, I have a small UV now (16 watt) and the sleeve gets coated with calcium fairly quickly, which makes it useless. The bigger one that I want has the wiper to assist in this, but I don’t know how well that will work against the calcium buildup. Is using ozone really dangerous if you use it with an ORP controller and carbon? Bomber really makes you think about why you are doing things and what you are trying to really achieve. His methods for keeping sps, make perfect sense to me. Hey Layton, have you seen that light as well and going to join the BB crew???? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lduncan Posted August 3, 2005 Report Share Posted August 3, 2005 My tank is BB, and has been since I moved it. With the new skimmer, i'm seeing the whole "rock cooking" process going on in my tank. The amount of detritus the rock is shedding is amazing. The alkalinity used by the bacterial processes is crazy. It is currently dropping around 1 to 1.5dKH every day. Initially I didn't like the look of BB, but it's growing on me. Still, the new tank won't be BB, it will have a thin layer of regularly vacuumed sand. Is using ozone really dangerous if you use it with an ORP controller and carbon? In short yes. Personally i'd use UV, I wouldn't consider ozone. Layton Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeBlog Posted August 3, 2005 Author Report Share Posted August 3, 2005 Where are you going to get your big UV sterilizer from? I have a birthday coming up soon. Since it's basically the only time that I can make the bigger purchases without catching HELL, I better take advantage of it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pies Posted August 3, 2005 Report Share Posted August 3, 2005 Ozone is interesting. GT on UR uses Ozone and his tank is perhapps the nicest on that board (certainly nicer than Tauns tank, which is TOTM on RC this month). I'm not planing on using either, so am not worried, but many swear by it. Ozone units are cheap, can be found 2nd hand for under $200.00. They also do something to plastic, and skimmers made by Deltec are safe with ozone, where others arn't. Not sure which is which though. Pie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeBlog Posted August 3, 2005 Author Report Share Posted August 3, 2005 Ozone units are cheap, can be found 2nd hand for under $200.00. Pie I've asked around to the usual sources, but no luck. You wouldn't happen to know where I can pick one up? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petplanet Posted August 3, 2005 Report Share Posted August 3, 2005 UV or ozone doesn't kill all the good bacteria. Just the stuff floating in the water. It kills them if they are floating in the water being treated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drifty Posted August 3, 2005 Report Share Posted August 3, 2005 I have ozone a swimming pool, it chewed through all the hansen fittings we had, be careful with the fittings you use. I have been reading a bit about bomber and his bb tank lately, while it may work very well I still think it doesnt look good, my new tank has a thin layer of sand which will be regularly vacuumed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lduncan Posted August 3, 2005 Report Share Posted August 3, 2005 Ozone attacks and degrades standard PVC fittings. Acrylic (skimmer plastic) has very good resistance to ozone. Where are you going to get your big UV sterilizer from? I have a birthday coming up soon. Since it's basically the only time that I can make the bigger purchases without catching HELL, I better take advantage of it! I was thinking of something like this http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem. ... uct=AV2313 But I don't know whether they do 240Volt versions. Layton Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faran Posted August 3, 2005 Report Share Posted August 3, 2005 I can get step-down converters (with UK plugs) for about $75 which handle 90W, more than you need for that UV clarifier. Way cheaper than DSE. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reef Posted August 3, 2005 Report Share Posted August 3, 2005 If you use ozone you also need a air dryer otherwise the ozone will not work very well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wasp Posted August 3, 2005 Report Share Posted August 3, 2005 Seems like a lot of money. That kind of money could get you a heckuva lot of zeolite product. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lduncan Posted August 3, 2005 Report Share Posted August 3, 2005 Seems like a lot of money. That kind of money could get you a heckuva lot of zeolite product. But what are you trying to achieve? Layton Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wasp Posted August 4, 2005 Report Share Posted August 4, 2005 Excellent filtration. By the way, I'm still interested to see a pic of your torquois stag under 10,000k lighting, if the hold up is because you are trying to do a lot of other pics, don't worry about it, I'm just keen to see the stag. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kermit Posted August 4, 2005 Report Share Posted August 4, 2005 You've probably read this some where else and really dont want to read any more but o'well. Ozone: http://www.qualitymarineusa.com/drygoods/ozone.html UV: http://www.qualitymarineusa.com/drygoods/uv.html Rob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wasp Posted August 4, 2005 Report Share Posted August 4, 2005 Well I've never read either before Kermit. Good, useful information. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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