Topic- OZONE do you need it?

[PelagicMagic]

This topic is about OZONE. Who uses it? and Who dosnt?
SOME PROS-
1) It oxidises nitrite and compounds that will turn into nitrites
2) Improves protein skimmer efficiency
3) kills bacteria and reduces ich outbreaks

SOME CONS-
1)Eats through non approved for ozone rubber and plastics
2)removes trace elements
3)hinders macroalgae growth
4) too much ozone kills fish/inverts and reduce skimmers foam output



Does anyone know if the impact skimmers are ozone safe?

[Grayout]

Large amount of room for error using ozone. You really have to stay on top of that stuff. As you stated, one can really fowl your tank if you overdose and don't export it properly.

I've never used it and think it's overkill.

[Bennihanna]

Anyone want to by a R/S ozone system?

[PelagicMagic]

Yah I have a solution to ozone- Natural sea water changes everymonth at least 50%

[Bennihanna]

I have heard that nothing clarifies water like ozone and that a of public aquariums use it religiously.

[Grayout]

I was working with a marine biologist a little while back and he used it on his system. I just don't think it's necessary with good husbandry and regular water changes. Yes, NSW would be awesome but we aren't the Monteray Aquarium.

BTW, do you know what that clean/crisp smell is when you go outside right after one of our summer t-storms? Yep, it's the smell of ozone. Just a fun little fact.

[PelagicMagic]

Originally posted by Grayout
I just don't think it's necessary with good husbandry and regular water changes.

[mikeatjac]

I have been using ozone for 9 months now. I run it into my skimmer for 2 hours a day. I am not sure how much difference it makes, my tank was clear before.

[PelagicMagic]

any drop in nitrite? How much does a setup cost?

[mikeatjac]

My nitrites are always zero in my tank. All my friends in Atlanta swear its great so I did it.
There are a ton of different ones on the market. The key is have a controller or orp meter.
I think I have about 250 in it.

[robwsup]

I love ozone. Love it, Love it, Love it. It'll clear a cloudy crappy tank overnight. You have to be careful with it, sure. You also have to be careful at the gas station. It's not rocket science, but is best used with a controller.

That said, we'll use a 200 mg/hr unit without a controller on several of our tanks here in the store, or on maintenance accounts overnight.

Benni,
How old is the Red Sea unit? What size, and how much?

[reefkeeps]

I use the Red Sea Ozone 250 Mg, mines set on a controller, have to clean the probe weekly, other than that I love it.

[robwsup]

Yeah, the ORP probes get dirty quick. I'm glad the reading drifts up and not down....

[reefkeeps]

You can say that again, if it worked the other way everyone would need a controller.

[Bennihanna]

Rob it is a R/S Aquazone 100 mg/hr. I got it in a package deal from a guy last year. It has never been used and is stilll in box with the original bubble wrap. I am asking $50.00, but trade is always an option.

[robwsup]

Sold. How would you like me to pay? I can Paypal, cash, or checkcard.

[Bennihanna]

Robert just pm me. We will work out payment options.

[Crusty Old Shellback]

I use ozone on my 400 G FOWLR and I also do 25 % weekly water changes using NSW. It has cleared up my water and keeps it that way. Mine is run on a controller but runs 24/7 as I set my controller at 350 and the ORP usually runs around 300 or so. I have a large fish load in the tank, ie BIG fish. I also run UV on the return lines as well.

The guy I bought the complete setup from ran the ozone for about 3 years with no problems. From what I have found out, it is hard to actually overdose the ozone unless you have a huge generator on a small system.

The output of my ozone injected skimmer goes directly into a live rock filled sump before flowing into a grow out area and then returning to the tank. In that LR area, I have a bunch of different animials living that I've sen so the ozone is not bothering them if it's getting into the sump.

Just an FYI, ozone is just o3 or super saturated oxygen, that's what makes it such a good oxidizer.

[Grayout]

Thought you guys might be interested in following this thread. I'm sure many of the "experts" in the sps forum will chime in.

http://archive.reefcentral.com/forum...hreadid=746212

[Grayout]

Hey guys,

Anyone still contemplating the use of ozone? The "Thumbs up for Ozone" thread in the sps forum gets bigger and bigger. What do you all think?

http://archive.reefcentral.com/forum...hreadid=517084

[PelagicMagic]

I am getting an ozone unit because I now have alot of fish

[Grayout]

I believe that Bioreef will be carrying the Red Sea units shortly. I will let you know if they get them in stock. I am leaning toward the 50 mg/hr unit which will be injected into my skimmer

[PelagicMagic]

i also need to make sure every plastic thing in my tank is ozone ready/safe

[Grayout]

Pelagic,

It's only necessary to make the equipment that has direct contact with the ozone safe. Theoretically, there should not be a large amount of ozone within the display tank. This is the reason for the skimmer. Just make sure your skimmer is ozone compatible or the plastics/ acrylic will become brittle over time.

[Crusty Old Shellback]

I know that the tubing can become brittle over time but how long would it take for the acrylic to become brittle to the point that it becomes a concern? The tubing is in direct contact where as the skimmer is not in what i would call dirent contact like the tubing.

I ask this as I was told that it takes a long time. My current skimmer is a home built acrylic unit by someone else and it has been running ozone in it for about 4 years now. Just wondering if I need to start on building another one.