Ozonizers

[mark d]

OK folks - would like some advice on this one!

Planning to try using ozone on my system as a means of improving water clarity and to see if it can help shift some stubborn cyano.

Intending to suck it through my deltec APF600 skimmer and into my 100g reef.

Would appreciate anyone's hands-on experience / opinion of the ozonizers out on the market before I take the plunge.

Current candiates include the Sander Certizon C50 and the rather large looking Monitors Direct 300mg/h unit.

Would welcome hearing your views

cheers

Mark

[SteveS]

hi mark, funny you should post this as i was in an lfs yesterday and the owner recommended a shot of ozone in my tank to cure stubbon cyano. i had a read up on the net last night and it can be deadly to humans if you get the dosage wrong, think ill lump it with the cyano

keep us posted

steve

[Kev]

Mark

Eric may be able to comment, I know he has run such equipment in the past.

Kev

[Paul P.]

They are both good models and although the Monitors Direct model is a bit of a lump it is good value for money, the built in timer allows good control over the amount of ozone added and if run with an ORP controller you can`t go wrong
the only problem I found with it was because it has a built in pump it can restrict the flow of air into your skimmer but this is easily sorted by adding a T piece into the airline to allow your skimmer to suck more air in.

As far as ozone safety is concerned, if you use the right size ozoniser for your set up and especially if you use an ORP controller it`s perfectly safe, 450 Mv is the recommended maximum level so if you use a controller you can set this as your maximum and the ozoniser will get switched off once this level is reached but most set ups run around the 350-400 Mv range, a level of 700Mv will totally sterilise the water thus killing everything in the tank but with ozonisers for domestic set ups it`s practically impossible to reach this amount

ozone is very unstable once exposed to air and quickly dissipates so as far as safety for the fishkeeper is concerned the risk is minimal as long as the correct ozoniser is used in conjunction with an ORP controller

imo. fishkeepers are probably more at risk from electrocution when putting their hands in their tanks if they haven`t got an earth probe than they are from overexposure to ozone

get in touch with Michael at Monitors Direct at sales@monitors-direct.co.uk and i`m sure he`ll be able to put your mind at ease

[mark d]

Thanks for that Paul.

I had a look at the Monitors Direct unit when I visited Fishman's Frags (he is using one with the controller on his frag tanks) and like you say it is a big 'un!

Know what you mean about the tee piece idea. Only concern would be whether the pump is stronger than the skimmer suction and thus end-up forcing excess ozone out of the open end of the tee.

But it does seem to have a high degree of functionality for a very cheap price. I'll try and contact Michael as you suggest.

cheers

Mark

[mark d]

Been waiting to give you a definitive update on this one!

Invested in an Ozonizer & controller (Red Sea Aquazone 100 unit) and configured it to be sucked by my APF600.

And what do you know - my cyano completely disappeard over the course of two weeks :eek:

As you may know I have suffered with cyano over many months in my well established reef (about 8 years old). I undertook a major refresh of live rock, refreshed my chaeto (thanks Gillybaby), restocked my clean-up crew - but no improvement. No issues with usual suspects of flow or nutrients either (two streams and no measurable phosphate / nitrate).

Ozonizer was my last desparate attempt!

ORP initially measured 250mv. Dosed at 50mg/hr and have slowly raised to 350mv.

I have now been cyano free for 2 weeks - and I love my reef again :)

oh, and my water looks nice and clear too!

Mark

[Tangman]

Hi Mark. You seem to have it sorted but just to add if you suddenly get a bad headache turn your ozone off as this tells you its leaking into the room. The best way to run it is after it comes out of your skimmer i run it through a container with carbon in so that it can absorb the excess ozone.HTH. Eric PS Also keep an eye on your fish as if you put to much in it will and can burn your fish.

[mark d]

Hi Mark. You seem to have it sorted but just to add if you suddenly get a bad headache turn your ozone off as this tells you its leaking into the room. The best way to run it is after it comes out of your skimmer i run it through a container with carbon in so that it can absorb the excess ozone.HTH. Eric PS Also keep an eye on your fish as if you put to much in it will and can burn your fish.


Thanks for that!
I have actually taken the steps as you suggest - skimmer water outlet runs through carbon - also (more important imo) carbon used over hole in lid of skimmer cup where air escapes.

So far - no headaches - no ozone smells (although I'm not sure what it actually smells like).

Mark

[Tangman]

Hi Mark you will know what it smells like when you smell it, its like smelling the air after a thunderstorm. If you can leave a window open near your tank it will help to get rid of any smells of ozone. HTH. Eric

[Chris, Reef Ranch]

Hi,

For the sceptics out there to the following information, I was taught ozone regulation by the curator of the National Marine Aquarium in Plymouth. I have also had many a conversation about ozone with Mark Wilson of New Era Aquaculture Ltd. He built the hatchery at TMC that still prduces most of the tank bred clowns we see today.

Don't use a mV computer on it. They are all very inaccurate unless you spend big bucks (approx £5,000). The hobbyist’s ones can be as much as 100mV out!!! You need a much smaller ozoniser. One the starts at 2mg/hr. I think the one you have there is 100mg/hr NOT 100g/hr. Large commercial ozonisers are usually only 4g/hr.

You then need to set it at its lowest setting (2mg/hr) and use a DIGITAL timer to apply minutes in every 24 hours. We use one on our 500 gallon reef. I apply ONLY 1 minute every 4 hours. If the system is set up right then around 4 minutes in every 24 hours is about right. If you need any more then there is a problem inherent in the system or the way it is run.

Ozone can be very useful when used correctly but it should never be used to put a huge plaster of a gapping wound! Fist ensure your system is right and run right then apply a tiny amount to bring the oxygen levels up to those found in the wild.

If you email me chris@reefranch.co.uk I can mail you an article on ozone, recently published in Marine World Magazine.

Chris

[Macca]

Chris would it be possible to add some articles to the sites Articles section. I for one loved the coral diseases you sent me. If we gave credit to the author etc or do you think it with conflict copyright laws. I know others can add articles as long as it is referenced accordingly.

Please reply

James


PS Members would love to read some of the information you have.

[Chris, Reef Ranch]

Articles.

Hi James,

Thank you for you kind words. I own copyright on the articles, but I also wish to support the magazine as much as possible. Back issues are available and simply posting them on the web would I am sure, affect back issue sales. I don't mind including some specific extracts from articles when I think it would help a particular person. If people visit the store and I think that someone will gain great benefit in reading a particular article, I am then willing to email the article to them on the day.

Chris

[Chris, Reef Ranch]

Replies

Speaking about replies James,

I am still not getting the emails that prompt me when someone has posted a reply. If I am not the only one, this would affect traffic on the site!

Chris

[Tangman]

Hi Chris, are you not getting an email to say when people have posted a reply to you. if so you can alter that by going to the bottom of the page when you do a posting in additional options and select a notification type. HTH.Eric

[lenny]

hi i use the monitors direct one and get no problems with running it through my apf600. use the tee piece idear and even when the pump is on it still sucks down the open side of the tee so i put the original tap on this side so still have some adjustment. hope this helps. also if you can smell ozone it's on too high. lenny