reefrubble
Premium Member
CleveYank , How are you injecting the ozone ? Are you injscting it into the skimmer , using a reactor , or some other way ?
SPS , and Ozone ??
- Thread starter reefrubble
- Start date
CleveYank
20 Years and Over
I am injecting it into the skimmer.
I have used a simple venturi powerhead (hagen 802 I think it was) in a 4 inch PVC tower that had carbon in a couple filter bags in the bottom of it. Think 4 inch PVC toilet knock out (without the knock out knocked out of course) and 1 1/2 inch holes along the sides near the bottom on the vertical of the 30 inch pipe. Works for a reactor in a pinch. I've also used an airstone type with the airstone in the overflow chamber of the overflow surface skimmer (you know the hang on the back overflows to get water back down to the sump). Worked great but, you have to maintain the airstone since the o3 tends to eat the stone up and this with salt and Ca clogging changes the output amount and bubble type rather fast.
My current system that has ozone on it is 3 tanks, a refugium and a sump that totals 330 net gallons so I'm running my ozone uncontrolled since it's underpowered for the setup. A controller is usually the best way to go though. When I get my ozotech repaired (it's a high output real corona spark type) I will have to make sure the controller is hooked up.
I have used a simple venturi powerhead (hagen 802 I think it was) in a 4 inch PVC tower that had carbon in a couple filter bags in the bottom of it. Think 4 inch PVC toilet knock out (without the knock out knocked out of course) and 1 1/2 inch holes along the sides near the bottom on the vertical of the 30 inch pipe. Works for a reactor in a pinch. I've also used an airstone type with the airstone in the overflow chamber of the overflow surface skimmer (you know the hang on the back overflows to get water back down to the sump). Worked great but, you have to maintain the airstone since the o3 tends to eat the stone up and this with salt and Ca clogging changes the output amount and bubble type rather fast.
My current system that has ozone on it is 3 tanks, a refugium and a sump that totals 330 net gallons so I'm running my ozone uncontrolled since it's underpowered for the setup. A controller is usually the best way to go though. When I get my ozotech repaired (it's a high output real corona spark type) I will have to make sure the controller is hooked up.
reefrubble
Premium Member
Kenfuzed
New member
I've run O3 for years. Whether through your skimmer or a reactor make sure both the output water and vented air go through carbon. Just because a skimmer is used to pass ozone through doesn't mean the O3 is used up. Not only can the leftover ozone harm your tank livestock but it can harm your lungs.
reefrubble
Premium Member
" Just because a skimmer is used to pass ozone through doesn't mean the O3 is used up. Not only can the leftover ozone harm your tank livestock but it can harm your lungs."[/QUOTE]
That's why I'm not sure if I really want to run ozone , because of the danger.
That's why I'm not sure if I really want to run ozone , because of the danger.
Big_D
New member
I'm in the same boat reefubble. I've been considering running ozone for some time now, actually I've had a Red Sea deluxe for over a year but have been reluctant to install it. I've got 15 fish in a heavily stocked 180gal mixed reef and some of them are really big dumpers. I'm also in the same boat skimmer wise, I'm way over gunned for my tank size but it really pulls out some nasty nog.
It's odd that there really isn't a whole lot of info on setting an ozone generator up like there is skimmers or cal Rx. I don't plan on running mine through my skimmer. I've got too much invested in it and I have no means of running carbon on the lid to filter what's vented off. I think an ozone reactor is the way to go, but I was also surprised to find that there's really not a lot of them on the market. The Si-Am Ocean unit looks very promising and from what little info I've found on it, it should be reasonably priced... just not sure how long it will be before it hits the US.
Hopefully others that are running O3 will chime in and give us some info on their setup. From my searches here and on other forums, the mystery surrounding the use of it in a reef are usually geared around how to set it up and a general caution about doing so due to it's inherent dangers. I've just recently started to monitor my ORP after installing my APEX and that's why I'm looking into it. It may be due to an old probe, but my ORP is staying in the 260 range.
D
It's odd that there really isn't a whole lot of info on setting an ozone generator up like there is skimmers or cal Rx. I don't plan on running mine through my skimmer. I've got too much invested in it and I have no means of running carbon on the lid to filter what's vented off. I think an ozone reactor is the way to go, but I was also surprised to find that there's really not a lot of them on the market. The Si-Am Ocean unit looks very promising and from what little info I've found on it, it should be reasonably priced... just not sure how long it will be before it hits the US.
Hopefully others that are running O3 will chime in and give us some info on their setup. From my searches here and on other forums, the mystery surrounding the use of it in a reef are usually geared around how to set it up and a general caution about doing so due to it's inherent dangers. I've just recently started to monitor my ORP after installing my APEX and that's why I'm looking into it. It may be due to an old probe, but my ORP is staying in the 260 range.
D
Los
New member
Got to love the APEX. That's the sweeeeeetest controller. I just sent mine up yesterday and it was a piece of cake. Man, that is an easy, yet very powerful controller with pull down menus for pretty much everything and a powerful "advanced mode". I couldn't be happier.
Back on topic, if you find a good ozone reactor, please post your experiences. I've been looking for one too.
Back on topic, if you find a good ozone reactor, please post your experiences. I've been looking for one too.
Big_D
New member
Absolutely... it's incredible and so powerful! In a completely different league than my RKII, I didn't know what I was missing out on.
As far as quality, I've heard that Sanders are the best. They don't have the built in ORP controllers, but with an APEX you don't need it. :thumbsup:
D
cnaegler
New member
Absolutely... it's incredible and so powerful! In a completely different league than my RKII, I didn't know what I was missing out on.
Not to highjack, but does the APEX still use the X-10's and the DC8? Or do you have to re-purchase those things again to work with the APEX? Thanks!
D[/FONT]
I run my ozone gen for only four hours a day, just before the lights come on. I run it quite low, only 30 to 40 mg/hr, only to clear the water on a 300 gal system. So, I don't use any carbon or an air dryer, just T it into my EuroReef skimmer's air line with a small air pump (I can only smell it if I put my face right over the skimmer). I have an ORP controller but at the low level I run ozone it's not needed, my ORP always floats around 320. The water looks super clear when I run ozone and my theory is that it helps add oxygen when the CO2 is highest (at the end of the dark period) and it clears the water before the lights come on. My acroporas seem happier when I run it, better polyp extension, and their colors look better because there's no yellowing to the water at all and they are probably getting more/better light. I use lower Kelvin halides (Ushio 10Ks) and any yellowing in the water is really obvious and looks crappy. I've never gotten this kind of clarity from carbon. I shut down the ozone for a while a few months back and it just wasn't the same without it. My tank just didn't have the usual sparkle.
AgentSPS
New member
When I used to run ozone many many years ago it was in a fairly poorly ventilated room. Could never figure out why I would get migraines when studying until one day the ozone generator died...no more headaches!
In the amounts we generate for these applications, its not going to do any permanent damage (heart attacks) but definitely want to ventilate the room well to avoid sinus irritation.
Another caution is that O3 is extremely corrosive (thats why it works). Many plastics used in the industry are not ozone safe. They will become brittle and crack over time. So pay attention to the materials you use. Ask you skimmer manuf if their units are ozone safe if you are injecting.
Canarygirl
New member
I just started using an Ozone system recently (ozotech poseidon 200mg/hr and MTC 240). I'm so new to it that I'm not positive it's working at optimum levels (ORP raises slowly over a period of days so it may be underpowered for my system). But I do notice that the water is more clear and sparkly after starting the ozone, and the quality of my skimmate is darker and thicker (this is on a BK250 so it's not a sucky skimmer), and that the color and polyp extension on my sps is better when I have ozone going in. So I guess I don't agree that a high-powered skimmer and carbon can do everything that an ozone generator can do.
seafloor09
New member
It's great but not fully understood, in a skimmer the efficiency drops off quite a bit.
The way to do it right is thru a reactor, a good one will have zero residue in the air.
using them for over ten years, my orp is about 375.
Most public aquariums are using them over UV.
The way to do it right is thru a reactor, a good one will have zero residue in the air.
using them for over ten years, my orp is about 375.
Most public aquariums are using them over UV.
Hi, I wanted to know if you skimmer could handle ozone. I have a ASM G-4 skimmer of a 150 gall. tank. I am doing mostly sps. I have heard great things about ozone I just don't have anyone with experience around me who use it. I was hoping you could tell me how you have it piped in, could my skimmer handle it and what equipment do I need to get started? Thanks
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