250 Gallon Starphire tank

Dave C · #1 12-24-2006, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by littlesilvermax

I thought of that too, and have read all about ozone reactors.

IMO s big skimmer is a much better reaction chamber then a relatively small ozone reactor.

I guess. My ozone reactor is 24" tall, 7" in diameter. But it could be much more then just size. A protein skimmer injects ozone into a column of water/bubbles. An ozone reactor injects/disperses drips of water into a column of ozone gas. According to dudes like Randy Holmes-Farley on RC that's the best way to get ozone to do its stuff. I'm not suggesting I'm right, just something to consider.

littlesilvermax · #2 12-24-2006, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave C

I guess. My ozone reactor is 24" tall, 7" in diameter. But it could be much more then just size. A protein skimmer injects ozone into a column of water/bubbles. An ozone reactor injects/disperses drips of water into a column of ozone gas. According to dudes like Randy Holmes-Farley on RC that's the best way to get ozone to do its stuff. I'm not suggesting I'm right, just something to consider.

I considered it (also talked to SWC about it) and don't think it is really worth it, even if with a large reactor it is worth it.

If you have one I will definitely take a look at how it works for you. One of these days we are going to have to check out each others systems.

Skimmerking · #3 12-25-2006, 03:22 AM

PM ed ya on ozone Ben

littlesilvermax · #4 01-01-2007, 12:06 AM

Weird stuff I find out, really weird!

I have always heard this fairly loud snapping sound, kinda like a snap of the jaws or pincers of something.

I only heard it at night with the tank lights out, but never saw any missing fish or tell-tale signs of a Mantis shrimp.

Well, yesterday I am watching the tank mid afternoon, and I hear the noise again, I look up and see the female clown (5+ years old, and 3 inches long) snapping her jaws on what seems to be some sort of food, but I am too late to see exactly what it was. Definitely the same noise, I always was sometimes suspect of my plumbing, my 4-way or something, but I could never pin-point it.

Ever heard of something like that before?

Doug · #5 01-01-2007, 12:41 AM

Ben, My pair of Cinnamon clowns use to make a clicking noise. It was almost a chatter type sound.

littlesilvermax · #6 01-01-2007, 12:52 AM

My CBB also makes a fairly loud chewing/snapping noise at times, but I found that out after I had him for 2 days, not after having a fish for 5 years.

littlesilvermax · #7 01-14-2007, 08:15 AM

Saw my female clown chomping down on one of my unknown pest anenomes, cool, just wish she would eat more of them.

Anyways about time for an update!

On Monday mourning I will start the big tank changeover:

-take out all LR and corals
-get rid of pest anenomes (putting LR in sump causes anenomes to release within 24 hours and easily get them out after that)
-re-arrange LR and corals for more of a Japanese type look
-clean everything up
-install 1 larger return pump
-clean other pumps
-install new ozone unit if have it yet
-make old skimmer into new calcium reactor (from a buddy)

probably other stuff too, but we shall see, that is a lot of stuff for one day!

littlesilvermax · #8 01-26-2007, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave C

I guess. My ozone reactor is 24" tall, 7" in diameter. But it could be much more then just size. A protein skimmer injects ozone into a column of water/bubbles. An ozone reactor injects/disperses drips of water into a column of ozone gas. According to dudes like Randy Holmes-Farley on RC that's the best way to get ozone to do its stuff. I'm not suggesting I'm right, just something to consider.

I got my Ozotec ozone generator, and have yet to hook it up.

FWIW according to Ozotec the best way to inject ozone is in a large skimmer, they say an ozone reactor works, but is not ideal as there is less contact space available.

To me that makes sense from what I know of physics. But I am no expert. I know other "experts" will argue either way.

IMO the only benefit to using an ozone reactor is that it is extremely easy to run the effluent through carbon (which is a point to consider).

I still believe that you don't need carbon with ozone, but when I set-up my ozotec unit I will test for residual ozone and maybe I will find that I need it with a bigger unit. I all I know is I have had fantastic growth and no fatalities in 2+ years of using ozone w/o carbon.

Dave C · #9 01-26-2007, 09:48 PM

I'm not trying to argue, nor convince you that what I'm saying is correct. From my reading an ozone reactor works better then a skimmer, and unlike a skimmer an ozone reactor was designed for dissolving ozone in water. The main reason I bought the reactor was because there is a good risk that ozone will ruin the seals on a skimmer and I spent too much on my skimmer to risk that. Also, if my skimmer fails/leaks I'm down... if my ozone reactor fails/leaks I'm still good to go, just get another reactor. That, IMO is the biggest reason to use an ozone reactor... to save your skimmer. Especially if you plan to push much ozone through the system.

btw, for anyone else interested, here is a great source of ozone info...

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

littlesilvermax · #10 01-26-2007, 11:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave C

I'm not trying to argue, nor convince you that what I'm saying is correct. From my reading an ozone reactor works better then a skimmer, and unlike a skimmer an ozone reactor was designed for dissolving ozone in water. The main reason I bought the reactor was because there is a good risk that ozone will ruin the seals on a skimmer and I spent too much on my skimmer to risk that. Also, if my skimmer fails/leaks I'm down... if my ozone reactor fails/leaks I'm still good to go, just get another reactor. That, IMO is the biggest reason to use an ozone reactor... to save your skimmer. Especially if you plan to push much ozone through the system.

btw, for anyone else interested, here is a great source of ozone info...

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

I hear you buddy.

FWIW I have yet to hear of someone with my style of skimmer have a problem with prolonged ozone use. I have read fairly extensively on the use of ozone reactors, and depending on my readings of residual ozone I may even get one too.

I just thought it was interesting after reading how much better ozone reactors are that Ozotech specifically says that bigger skimmers are better.

I will post up in a few days how Ozotech recommends you dial in your ozone unit logging both ORP and residual ozone, it is very interesting!