using Ozone

[andrewsk]

Originally Posted by reeferaddict

Wow you guys are sure making this sound complicated... !!! I just run mine through the skimmer... run the effluent from the skimmer through a bag of carbon I change once a month... and the pressurized collection cup I built lets the air escape through another pack of carbon .... If ozone was this hard I wouldn't be running it!

LOL. You are right. Ozone does not have to be that hard.

That being said though, running it through a pressurized reactor increases contact time with the water in a huge way, bringing along a lot of added benefits.

From ReefCentral:

"Skimmers water and air flow rates, and even their engineering design itself, are optimized for skimming, not for ozone injection and reaction. The longer the ozonated water has to react, the more oxidation of organic molecules can take place. This is not a design criterion with skimmers, where the air/water contact time is maximized, but the water alone is not held for any purpose. If the water's flow rate is too high, and hence its turnover rate too high, the concentration of ozone in the water, and the contact time for it to react with organic materials, may be less than optimal."

If you are going to use a skimmer for Ozone

"Select a skimmer that allows a substantial volume of water to be contained within it, so that the ozonated water is not immediately swept away and passed over the GAC (where the ozonation reactions largely end)."

Here is the full article:

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-04/rhf/index.php

[StirCrazy]

Originally Posted by andrewsk

That being said though, running it through a pressurized reactor increases contact time with the water in a huge way, bringing along a lot of added benefits.

From ReefCentral:

"Skimmers water and air flow rates, and even their engineering design itself, are optimized for skimming, not for ozone injection and reaction. The longer the ozonated water has to react, the more oxidation of organic molecules can take place. This is not a design criterion with skimmers, where the air/water contact time is maximized, but the water alone is not held for any purpose. If the water's flow rate is too high, and hence its turnover rate too high, the concentration of ozone in the water, and the contact time for it to react with organic materials, may be less than optimal."

I don't know about this one.. newer skimmer designs were made to have a long air water contact time and you are seeing reduced flow skimmers coming out. I bet you my new skimmer will hold the water longer that a little pressurized reactor that is sense it will probably hold about 15 to 20 gal and only be supplied by a 200 to 400GPH pump.

but seriously, is it not better to have the ozone in the skimmer so all the crud it nukes can be taken away right there?


Steve

[Ruth]

I think following this thread has convinced me that no way could I ever figure out how to set up an ozone unit properly.

[andrewsk]

[quote=StirCrazy
but seriously, is it not better to have the ozone in the skimmer so all the crud it nukes can be taken away right there?
Steve[/QUOTE]

The thing about Ozone is that it destroys the "nutrients" that make up the "Crud" that the skimmer produces. So essentially, the 2 compete with each other, not compliment. When you use ozone, you should see a reduction in skimate.

I am not really sure about flow through the skimmer. Perhaps some of the new ones are better. I guess what you really want to be sure of is that your water to air contact time is maximized if you do decide to use a skimmer.

Regardless of how you are doing it, there is nothing like the crystal clear water produced with Ozone. It is really amazing.

[littlesilvermax]

Originally Posted by andrewsk

It is really amazing.

Very true indeed!