ozonizers ????

[jg2269jg]

All right guys and girls i have a question about ozonizers. Are they worth the use? Who has them and do they see a difference? What are the pros and cons of using them and what brands make good ones. Any feedback on them would actually be very much appreciated. Thanks Beforehand Jeff

[AQTCJAK]

Personally I dont have any experience with them. I was thinking of utilizing them until a friend of mine had a miss hap with one & it wiped out a very beautifully established tank therefore I have shyed away from them

[Dentoid]

I have a small Red Sea 100mg/hr max. ozonizer on my 90 gallon. As far as water clarity, it's the best. It makes my water so clear and colorless that you don't know there's water in there. That's about where it ends.

I have been running ozone in my tank off and on since I set it up In 2006. I have it T'd right into my Venturi intake tube on my skimmer with no carbon on the skimmer output tube and have no problems. I don't hold much faith in its ability to oxygenate the water or to kill too many baddies though. Also, the samll ozonizers that are made for the hobby like the 100mg/hr models are perfectly safe and there is virtually no way to overdose your tank, unless you run it directly into the main display. It should always be run through the skimmer. There are other models that are more hefty like the Ozotech that goes to 450mg/hr and require more monitoring and have a much higher risk if not properly set up and titrated for the specific tank.

With that being said there are other ways to get clear water such as carbon and UV sterilizers. IMO, you will get a bigger bang for your buck with a UV sterilizer than with ozone. However, using ozone and a UV sterilizer is using the old one-two punch and IMO one can aid the other in helping to cut down on its workload. Or, if you are like me, and like gadgets then get a small ozonizer!

[jg2269jg]

Thanks Dentoid i have one more question do you have a orp controller for it or a dryer on it

[jg2269jg]

also what do you think of a red sea 200 mg/ hr unit on a 110gallon tank and how do you know to control the unit do you have a orp setting you go by

[bluespotjawfish]

The 100 unit is plenty for that size of tank. And yes, you should get one with the ORP controller and dryer.

[Dentoid]

I agree with Lorraine. The 100mg/hr unit is enough. They come with an air dryer. I got the unit that did not have the controller because I have a Aqua Controller III that has its own ORP probe.

At first the ORP readings helps you to titrate the dose. I believe it's best to keep the ORP under 400. The probe readings just let you make sure you don't overdose. However, with a small unit the risk of overdose is next to nil.

ORP readings are best for letting you know when something is going wrong in your tank. When the oxidation-reduction potential goes down, it's time to start looking for the reason.

[tbittner]

Oh boy....

<<<rubbing hands together>>>

Something else for me to spend money on. My wife will be THRILLED I'm sure!

*but honey, my tank really needs this ozonizer! And I also need a really good controller with lab quality probes to monitor it!*

she says
*but the tank looks great now! Why add anything?*

me
*because it will REALLY make it clear and look even better*

she *sighs* and walks away.

[tbittner]

In all seriousness though, does it matter where an ozonizer is plumbed into the system? My fish room is in the basement so does it matter if I plumb it in down there and then pump it back up to the tank?