Ozone Advice before install...

[ckusnierek]

Ok I got my o3 setup this week but am holding off untill the weekend to get it up and running.

I have a 200g total volume heavy SPS tank lightly stocked (but I want more fish)

I got a 200mg/hr redsea generator
500mg dryer (redsea)
air pump
o3 safe tubing
Milwaukee ORP Controller

I run a ETSS 600 skimmer with a waste collector
To my this is perfect for O3. The waste collector already has a GAC filter on it. My concern is damaging the skimmer.

This is a downdraft skimmer and injecting the O3 will be simple. Like I said I'm worried about damaging the down draft tower and bio balls.

Also there are nylon fittings for the venturi o3 safe?

Lastly I have read EXTENSIVELY that the outgoing air and effluent both need to run thru carbon. Not a problem for air but how can I run the skimmers drain thru carbon without restricting flow?


Because of all this I'm considering a DIY O3 reactor. Any suggestions?

[Fat Tony]

Just my personal preference, but I wouldn't let an Ozone generator anywhere near my house or tank. Ozone is extremely toxic to humans and animals.

[ckusnierek]

Tony, I too was hesitant at first but have done much research and the truth is that O3 is no more hazardous then much of the other equipment and additives we commonly use.

Most public aquariums, fisheries and coral farmers utilize the benefits of O3

When combined with a ORP controller and with basic safty measures in place it is no more of a threat then a CaRx is.

TRUST me I would never consider it if I thought there was much of a risk of poisoning my live stock or family.

Actually in one of A. Calfo's writings he compared the chances of any major O3 incident to dropping Klak powder or Ca hydroxide and it getting sucked into you homes central ventilation system.

I sill plan to do as much research as I can and if at any point fell the benifit to teh tank is not worth it I will not hook it up.

At this point I have read articles from:
A. Calfo
B Fenner
R. H. Farly

And the concensus from them is that when monitored and coupled with basic safty precautions it is perfectly save and an acceptable means for exportation of organics.

[jberd]

CK any update on you o3 system? I too am looking at putting one of these on my system. Any advice.

[Loverotties]

I use to run it and loved it my new skimmerI don't think is ozone safe.But if I get one I'll use it again!

[jberd]

Where would I purchase the equipment for the O3

[Hop]

Any of our bigger vendors have basic O3 equipment.

[JohnnyL]

Well this thread raised my attention on O3 once again. I have heard of the pottential for bad things to happen (more concern on outside the tank system) but had not heard such strong concerns as Fat Tonys. CK other than the fact that you noted harm to live stock before family (J/K) just wanted to hear more about the proper safequards for piece of mind.

So far the main things I have seen are carbon on the skimmer Effluant and lid to catch any residual o3 and using a quality orp monitor/controller.

Are there any other reccomended steps that can be taken?

[ckusnierek]

Just what you said and making sure all your fittings/tubing are O3 safe.
There are commercially available O3 detectors but they are not cost effective.

Here is my system
Red Sea Aquazone 200 running at 10%
Fed by a simple air pump thru a dryer
I replace the stock 3/4" nylon barb air inlet to my skimmer with PVC (nylon+O3=no good)
I drilled a 1/4" hole in the pvc fitting to my slimmer and installed the O# in there.
I used Pharmed tubing (I work in the medical industry and had it at work. It's very O3 safe)
I have a large bag of GAC in the skimmer (it's a external skimmer)
And I have a waste collector with a large carbon filter.

It's all controlled by a Milwaukee ORP controller set to 380