Uv

[jusbechillin]

Whats the importance of a UV sterilizer on a FOWLR tank? Mine is dead and I will need to buy a whole new one if I decide it is a priority. Thanks!

also is a 15 watt big enough for a 125?
a buddy will sell me a 15 watt for 60$

 

[ivgonmad]

I have a 15w on my 240, I have seen 9w UV used for ponds so I guess 15w is good enough?

 

[saltyESQ]

I am about to buy 114w for my 210g.
Those small UV's are worthless!

 

[e55MD]

I have 2 80W high output Emporer Aquatics UV sterilizers running on my 400 gallon.

 

[JustinReef]

You can also look into ozone instead...although its more expensive its also a lot more effective. With UV you have to decide whether or not your using it to kill algae or parasites and then keep the bulbs new. Ozone will do both and no need to worry about bulbs.

I have used both and would never set up a tank without ozone anymore.

 

[Recty]

Yep, I was going to say the same thing, I'd rather run ozone. It has the added benefit of keeping the water crystal clear.

Although it is normally more expensive, the unit for my 210 cost about $500 when it was all said and done.

 

[jusbechillin]

So what is needed to run "ozone" in my tank?
I did a search and it looks like they are rated by mg/hr?
Are all units created equal?
I see some for like $65 and well over $500 what do I need to look for?

 

[JustinReef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13304950#post13304950 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jusbechillin
So what is needed to run "ozone" in my tank?
I did a search and it looks like they are rated by mg/hr?
Are all units created equal?
I see some for like $65 and well over $500 what do I need to look for?

Im not sure about different brands but I have always just used the Red Sea ones and never had a problem. I would try to go with a 200 mg/hr unit for your tank but 100 would also still be very effective. 50 would still be useful as well but a bit small.

You then would have to decide how you want to get the ozone into the water. Some kind of DIY reactor would be the cheapest or best way if you don't want to/can't go through your skimmer.

I choose not to go through my skimmer but many people inject ozone right into their skimmer with no problems. Mine is ozone safe but I find it made the skimmer less effective where as I see no difference in skimmer efficiency when I use a separate reactor. Essentially both are doing the same thing, so they do compete a bit.

Ozone will kill any parasites that go through it (like UV) as well as algae (like UV) but ozone does it much, much more efficiently. I only have to clean my glass maybe once a week with ozone running. Every two days without. The other things ozone does that UV does not are breaks down waste and ammonia. So its great for water quality. It also keeps your water INCREDIBLY clear. There is absolutely no comparison in terms of water clarity between a tank running ozone and one without. I know people who thought their tanks were crystal clear until they started running ozone.

I think I set mine up for around $500 as well. To me its right up there with my skimmer as being the heart of my system. I don't think with all the big fish I have that I could keep the water quality up and algae down without it.

 

[Recty]

Yeah, the Red Sea ones you can get everything included in one price for about $500.

The cheap ones you see are just an ozone generator. You'll still need to supply everything else.

The Red Sea model on Marine Depot that costs about $500 is a 200 mg an hour ozone generation rate (you typically want about 1mg an hour per gallon of water) and a ORP probe and a controller. This lets you pick an ORP level, usually around 350-375 and the ozonizer only kicks on when your ORP drops below that level.

This helps keep the water clear, kills everything the ozone touches and keeps the water highly oxygenated. I've always bought a protein skimmer that has an ozone input, it is very easy to hook one up then. As the guy above me said, it does make your protein skimmer react differently but I was still able to get skimmate out of mine. It just was a lot whiter/chalkier than the deep brown sludge I got out previously.

The other nice thing is my protein skimmer really moves a lot of water. I know that a LOT of water is getting cleaned, whereas a UV typically doesnt move near as much water through it, so I feel ozone attached through a good skimmer definitely erradicates a lot more parasites than UV can, unless you have a super oversized UV.

 

[limitdown]

I run both UV and Ozone 24/7.
Just remember that UV sterilizers will add some heat to your water.

 

[jusbechillin]

So to run Ozone I need the following.....

Ozone generator
Redox Controller
Air dryer
Crappy extra Skimmer to use as a reactor
ORP Probe


Right?

Can I get away without any of those or I need all? Trying to figure out if I can afford to do this now or not.... Also would the following be just about the best buy I can get on the whole deal?



Part Number: OZ-RS32200

Brand Name: Red Sea

Description: AquaZone Deluxe 200mg/hr with built-in Redox (ORP) controller and ORP probe. Includes 250 gram reusable air dryer. When correctly applied to aquarium water, ozone kills bacteria and other harmful pathogens and breaks down ammonia and organic waste materials, raising the ORP to desirable levels. One of the most visible results of ozone as part of aquarium filtration is the change in the water's color from an unappealing yellow cast to a healthy looking natural clear color. Utilizes high frequency switching technology. Designed for use in a humid environment. No regular maintenance required. Automatically controls the flow of ozone according to a pre-set ORP. Easy to read backlit digital display. Easy adjustment of ozone output & desired ORP. Continuous display of current OPR.

ITEM IS IN STOCK
Regular Price: $400
Offer Price $400

 

[Recty]

Yep, that is a decent ozonizer setup.

What is your existing skimmer? You could certainly just use it if it is ozone compatible.

Also, something to keep in mind is most people recommend running the ozonated water through carbon before going back into your display.

I personally never have as the ozone reacts immediately with organics and breaks up, I dont think you need to worry about it making it into the display.

 

[Mike5252]

Interesting thread. I have never considered ozone for my FOWLR, but may look into it now.

I guess I don't understand the concept correctly. No maintenance is required once set up and running? Where does the "ozone" come from and where does the waste go?

I have a 210gal I would consider this for. My skimmer is a Coralife super skimmer rated for 220gal - I'm not sure if it is ozone compatable. I'm not really sure what that means anyway.

Perhaps someone could clue me in?

 

[JustinReef]

You have to make sure your skimmer is ozone safe or the ozone will quickly start to break down your skimmer. You will get crazing and eventually cracks and leaks. I don't think the Coralife skimmers are ozone safe but I don't know for sure.

There is very little maintenance required once the ozone is set up and running. I only change the carbon on the output of my reactor every few weeks to a month. Other than that, nothing. Ozone is generated by the ozonizer. Do a google search for how ozone in an aquarium works and what it is. It can be quite complicated but the basic idea is very simple.

 

[anbosu]

The guy who owns the wholesale store I go to locally recommended a 25 watt UV sterilization kit for my 125 fish only. He said in order to make sure it kills more just slow the water flow down as it comes through the UV sterilizer.

 

[jusbechillin]

As of yesterday my system is running an ASM G2 skimmer (picked it up for $50 and couldnt pass on it)... I would be using an old red sea protein skimmer for the ozone if I do it. Is there any cheaper way to get this done or is $400 considered a cheap way to run ozone?

 

[JustinReef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13314905#post13314905 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jusbechillin
As of yesterday my system is running an ASM G2 skimmer (picked it up for $50 and couldnt pass on it)... I would be using an old red sea protein skimmer for the ozone if I do it. Is there any cheaper way to get this done or is $400 considered a cheap way to run ozone?

I would say thats a pretty cheap way of going unless you can find a used ozonizer. If you go used though be careful because if they are not treated well (kept dry) then they do not preform well anymore.

 

[JustinReef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13314621#post13314621 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by anbosu
The guy who owns the wholesale store I go to locally recommended a 25 watt UV sterilization kit for my 125 fish only. He said in order to make sure it kills more just slow the water flow down as it comes through the UV sterilizer.

Flow rate and the actual bulb will determine what the UV is killing. Thats my problem with UV. It needs way too specific "settings" to be effective and if they change (ie. older bulb) the UV is then basically doing nothing. In the long run UV is more expensive and less effective than ozone.

 

[e55MD]

My understanding is that ozone is toxic if some of it leaks out into your home- probably one of the reasons it is not so popular. Also, UV sterilizers run 24/7 while I thought ozonizers only function at a specific ORP level. Correct me if I am wrong on this.

 

[Mike5252]

Yeah, I think you have to have an ORP probe with a controller to activate the ozone thingy. So I don't think it runs all the time. Just what I've read so far.

I think this may be my next serious upgrade. Most people that use ozone will tell you they wouldn't have an aquarium without one.