Anyone running Ozonizers?

[reefsic]

I was just handed down a RedSea Ozonizer setup from a friend and was debating whether or not to set it up. My current setup is a 190g/220g Total volume SPS Dominant Tank.

Can we see some FTS shots of any hobbyists out there running ozone in their systems? SPS/LPS/Softie Tanks....Pros/Cons if you will?

 

[reefsic]

19 Views and nothing? Hmmmm, guess I shouldnt set it up!

 

[SDguy]

I run ozone.

Lots of good info from Randy in the archived Reef Chemistry Forum articles.

 

[RickMartin]

I have in the past and will on my next tank use ozone. Lots of pros, very little cons. It has been used on reefs for years and years. Like SDguy said plenty of documentation on it already.

 

[allsps40]

Waste of money IMO. Plus there are several cons. Ozone can kill everything in your tank and even people if it is not hooked up right. All it really does is help break down organics in the water to be skimmed out. IMO a good quality skimmer will be more than enough pair with water changes and good husbandry. The cost to benefit just doesnt seem worth it to me. I have seen and maintained several reef tanks with ozone and never saw a major difference with or with out it.

 

[SDguy]

Waste of money IMO. Plus there are several cons. Ozone can kill everything in your tank and even people if it is not hooked up right. All it really does is help break down organics in the water to be skimmed out. IMO a good quality skimmer will be more than enough pair with water changes and good husbandry. The cost to benefit just doesnt seem worth it to me. I have seen and maintained several reef tanks with ozone and never saw a major difference with or with out it.

Many things we use on our tank can kill everything in it. A moot point. If it's not something you want/need on your tank, that's fine.

I personally use it because I keep a very high fish population in my tank, therefore "All it really does is help break down organics in the water to be skimmed out" is a really good reason for me to use it

I defintiely see a difference with and without it. But I have a very specific reason for running it. Not sure if the OP does?

 

[RickMartin]

Waste of money IMO.

If he has it already for free, how is that a waste of money? Maybe if you had spent your money on an ozonizer instead of additives like potassium, you wouldn't be having the problem with cotton candy algae and bubble algae

 

[Nanook]

[moved]

 

[sirreal63]

I have used it for years and will continue to use it for years. It is safe, effective and unlike so many products on the market, actually does what it is supposed to. One of the beautiful things about it, it removes the compounds in the water than affect clarity, the more clarity you have, the more efficient your lighting is. You do not have to go overboard with the dosing either. Even a small dose is effective.

It may not be for everyone, but it does work. Read and understand Randy's articles on it's use and you will be fine.

 

[unbreakable]

do you have to run GAC with ozone? Also, is it safe to run ozone in ozone safe skimmers? I have a BK mini 180 and wasn't sure if it would break down the skimmer over time. sorry for the hijack

 

[RickMartin]

Even ozone safe materials break down over time. Run it through a cheap skimmer or a cheap reactor. I wouldn't run it through my expensive skimmer
Not using GAC is not a good idea. GAC will catch the particles that have been broken down by the ozone along with neutralizing any residual ozone that may not have had time to react with the organics.

 

[reefsic]

Alot of good point here! Thank you all for your feedback on ozonizers!

 

[vapourmike]

I run Ozone and would highly recommend it ... there are a lot of benefits ive come across

1. It improves water clarity
2. It increases oxygen levels in the water
3. It tackles organics too small for a skimmer to handle
4. It helps control pathogens (e.g. whitespot)

Since running Ozone my tank is clearer, less algae growth, fish seem more active and I get less 'problems' e.g.pathogen based illness, or algae blooms etc. Im running the Reef Scientific unit on a timer and in regards to 'visible' difference, it's probably my best purchase to date.

Only downside to Ozone is that it can be harmful to humans, for this reason mine runs for 3 hours every night whilst the room it is in is empty, theres no critical evidence to back this up or anything but it makes me feel a bit easier.

 

[Uncle Salty 05]

Can some people post pics of their ozone set ups?
I have never used it and was under the impression that it was only used with skimmers but read the other day that some people use "reaction chambers" other than skimmers.
I am intrigued.

 

[RickMartin]

Something new I just read about might weigh in on your decision to use ozone
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1231262&referrerid=6012