Ozone Dosing and Equipment Questions

[ryanuy]

Hi! I have a 1100g total system volume and I'm currently dosing 200mg/h of ozone on my extra Bubble Magus Curve 9 skimmer that I am using just for the ozone. I was reading up and it seems that 200mg/h might be a bit low for my tank size since the recommended is 0.3 - 0.5mg per gallon. I am using ozone for water clarity and it also seems to help keep the nutrients in my tank low.

For those of you guys who use ozone, what size is your tank and how much do you dose in your tank and do you dose it the whole day?

Are you using a skimmer to dose the ozone in your tank? Did your skimmer degrade from long term use with ozone and what if i increased the amount to 400mg/h would still be okay for the skimmer or would it already start to degrade quickly with that amount of ozone?

I have also noticed some of my yellow tangs showing signs of HLLE with ozone. Is this something you guys have seen with your tangs as well? I have only been using it for over a month and that is also when I started to notice the HLLE on some of the tangs.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

My yellow tangs may have had issues with ozone and that’s one reason I stopped using it regularly. In a skimmer application, you are not likely effectively passing the water over GAC to remove the ozone byproducts. For these reasons, I’d suggest using far less, and maybe only use it once in a while.

The benefit is less yellow water, and little more (IMO) and that takes far less ozone that most folks assumed based on the old guidelines.

 

[ryanuy]

My yellow tangs may have had issues with ozone and that’s one reason I stopped using it regularly. In a skimmer application, you are not likely effectively passing the water over GAC to remove the ozone byproducts. For these reasons, I’d suggest using far less, and maybe only use it once in a while.

The benefit is less yellow water, and little more (IMO) and that takes far less ozone that most folks assumed based on the old guidelines.

Thank you for the reply Randy! I have a Triton style raceway sump so I will be moving the ozone to the beginning of the sump so that the excess ozone can still dissipate. I will be setting it at 100mg/h and hopefully that helps it out.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Let us know how it goes! I have three ozone articles in a series in the sticky at the top of the chemistry page. You might check those out if you haven’t already. [emoji3]

 

[David S]

Let us know how it goes! I have three ozone articles in a series in the sticky at the top of the chemistry page. You might check those out if you haven’t already. [emoji3]

Hi Randy
Hope everything is OK by you.

On the subject of ozone for an aquarium, I have considered it in the past but due to the complications as far as setting it up and the health issues, I stayed away.
However, the other day I saw a Youtube video where Sanjay and Mike P discuss ozone use, which Sanjay has (re)implemented on his tank.
I became interested and immediately looked for info and I read your articles which I found quite informative.
However, still have a lot of questions related to how I might implement it given my particular circumstances or whether it should be implemented at all.
First of all, I can tell you right off that as far as my reef tank goes, the only benefit I am seeking from ozone is a removal of any yellow to make my water crystal clear.
The normal clarity in my tank is quite good (except for occasional hazing at the surface of the water) but I've experienced crystal clarity, albeit for short periods, in the past and simply love that look. So if I can attain it, safely, by using ozone, I'm on board.
A few things about my tank:
38 gallon mixed reef: lot of SPS
1 Yellow Tang, 1 Flame Angel, and 1 Melanarus Wrasse.
Assorted snails, red legged hermits & 1 brittle star.
Equipment:
1 MP10 & 1 Nero 5 positioned at opposite ends of the tank.
One HOB Refugium
One HOB CPR Aeroforce Protein Skimmer. This skimmer employs 2 pumps. One is for circulation of water, while the other produces fine bubbles. I circulate water through the skimmer 24/7, but I only run the "bubble" pump for about 6 hours at night. Attached is a photo of the skimmer on my tank.
I know that the conventional way to inject the ozone in a tank is via a protein skimmer or other reactor.
I'm quite leery about connecting it directly to my skimmer. As a matter of fact I emailed CPR asking them if the Aeroforce is ozone safe, but they never replied.
My plan would be to remove the collection cup and attach a ceramic air stone to tubing connected to the ozone generator and place it as far down to the base of the skimmer as possible.
I would place a bag of 0.8 Rox carbon at the surface of the water, beneath where the collection cup normally sits. I would place another bag of this carbon on top of the surface where the cup normally sits.

Based on the info I've given you so far and my concerns about the health of my reef and my wife and I, is this worth pursuing?

I have several other questions but there's no sense wasting your time with them, if what I've described so far sets off red flags, in your estimation.

Thanks for your time

David

 

[rkpetersen]

I use ozone on 2 tanks, each with about 100 gallons circulating water volume.
I run it at 80 mg/hr through my regular skimmer.
However, I only run it for 8 minutes out of every 30 minutes, for a net amount of 21 mg/hr.
This avoids overdosing and allows lots of time for ozone breakdown products to dissipate.
It's sufficient to keep my water clear and looking like freshly mixed saltwater (light blue tint) at water changes.
It also seems to help with nutrient reduction and may reduce the overall level of bacteria in the water.
ORP stays around 400, except after water changes and with certain supplements, which cause it to drop temporarily.
Both water and air output of the skimmer passes through GAC.
Haven't noticed any degradation at all of the skimmer's plastic parts.
However, I have noticed premature degradation of black rubber o-rings on other equipment in the sump compartment.
These have since been replaced with ozone-resistant synthetic red or white o-rings.
Haven't seen any HLLE, and if I did, I would be more suspicious of GAC as the cause than ozone.

 

[David S]

Thanks

 

[Jay Z]

I’m around 88 gallons total between my sump and 3 tanks. I have my set at 60mg/h. Targets 415. I run it 24/7 on 2 controllers. I use the mutiny ozone reactor with the post carbon filter then into the skimmer intake.

Ozone has been a game changer for my tanks for health (fish, softies, lps).

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Ozone has been a game changer for my tanks for health (fish, softies, lps).

A positive change? What exactly changed? I didn't experience what I would call a beneficial health change. Mostly just less yellowness to the water.

 

[Jay Z]

A positive change? What exactly changed? I didn't experience what I would call a beneficial health change. Mostly just less yellowness to the water.

You didn’t notice huge extension, better coral growth/health and everything in the tank looking better than before? Heck, even my anemone is way bigger around the 400 range.

If you only saw less yellow maybe you didn’t have it high enough. Should be no yellow and the tank water should smell cleaner.

350-375 I can see a small difference. 400-415 noticeable difference. Anything under 350 and I’m walking around the house scratching my head wondering why everything looks so small.

And that softies and lps. In process of adding a pair of sps tank shortly. So I can’t comment on sps difference with ozone yet.

 

[Superlightman]

You didn’t notice huge extension, better coral growth/health and everything in the tank looking better than before? Heck, even my anemone is way bigger around the 400 range.

If you only saw less yellow maybe you didn’t have it high enough. Should be no yellow and the tank water should smell cleaner.

350-375 I can see a small difference. 400-415 noticeable difference. Anything under 350 and I’m walking around the house scratching my head wondering why everything looks so small.

And that softies and lps. In process of adding a pair of sps tank shortly. So I can’t comment on sps difference with ozone yet.

An Update?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

An Update?

I doubt it. He hasn't been on reef2Reef in 4 years.

 

[ravi197699]

Hello guys, Happy Holidays! I have 800-gallon tank and I am setting up ozone generator, below is my code that I am using for apex, I turned the ozone generator on 2 days before but my ORP has not changed, am I doing anythng wrong here, I am using ozone through air intake of my reef octopus ext 9000 skimmer, any inputs on what change should I notice if Ozone is working? Thank you all!

Fallback OFF
If ORP < 370 Then OFF
If ORP > 440 Then OFF
If Output SkimmerPump2 = OFF Then OFF

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Do you know if it is producing ozone?

 

[ravi197699]

Thank you for your reply Mr. Holmes, I can smell the ozone from the output of the ozone generator, this is the ORP reading as of this morning. It is 900 gallons total volume tank and sump included.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I'd let it run as is. The goal of ozone is not an ORP rise, but to reduce yellowing in the water, and it doesn't take much to do that.

Ozone and the Reef Aquarium, Part 1: Chemistry and Biochemistry by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com

Ozone and the Reef Aquarium, Part 2: Equipment and Safety by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com

Ozone and the Reef Aquarium, Part 3: Changes in a Reef Aquarium upon Initiating Ozone by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com

from the second one:

So with all that background discussion behind us, here are my recommendations for ORP monitoring and ozone control in reef aquaria using a properly sized ozone generator that appears to be working, and a properly calibrated ORP meter:

1. If the ORP never seems to rise above 375 mV after initiating ozone, do not worry about controlling the ozone or the ORP. Just let it run full out. Also, do not worry about needing a larger generator, assuming it has driven up the ORP by at least 25 mV above where it was before adding ozone. It is likely accomplishing the necessary tasks (such as making the water clearer). Only if some other aspect of ozone use is unsatisfying (e.g., lack of water clarity) would I look for other options such as a larger ozone generator or a better contact chamber.

2. If the ORP starts above 375 mV, or rises there during ozone use, using an ORP controller would be valuable to prevent the ORP from rising too high. Use the controller to shut off the ozone when the ORP rises too high. Another option would be to shut off the air flow to save the dryer's media, but be sure that water cannot flow back into the ozone generator if the air stops. I would set the ORP target somewhat above the baseline ORP in the absence of ozone - at least 350 mV, maybe 400 mV, but never above 450 mV.

 

[ravi197699]

Thank you for clarifying sir, I will monitor but run the ozone generator, Unit I built is with high quality parts and can produce enough ozone for my tank. I will keep it running at current setting and monitor for water clarity.

 

[iReefer12]

Hello guys, Happy Holidays! I have 800-gallon tank and I am setting up ozone generator, below is my code that I am using for apex, I turned the ozone generator on 2 days before but my ORP has not changed, am I doing anythng wrong here, I am using ozone through air intake of my reef octopus ext 9000 skimmer, any inputs on what change should I notice if Ozone is working? Thank you all!

Fallback OFF
If ORP < 370 Then OFF
If ORP > 440 Then OFF
If Output SkimmerPump2 = OFF Then OFF

I don’t think this code is right, no expert but I’m going through the process to set up ozone as we speak. To me, this code will have the outlet always powered off.

Here is the code I have for the outlet controlling ozone.

Fallback OFF
Set ON
If Time 01:35 to 01:30 Then OFF
If Output SkimmerAbyzz = OFF Then OFF
If ORP > 400 Then OFF

Similarly, this is on a 700g display. Trying to only achieve water clarity, so starting off with a very low dosage. This will turn the Ozotech ON for 5 mins each night unless ORP is over 400, or if my skimmer pump outlet is turned off for some reason. I will ‘decrease’ the OFF time gradually to achieve water clarity.

Also worth looking into picking up an Ozone air sensor, just to make 100% sure ozone is not building up in your house/living space. And also perhaps an ORP Hanna checker to double check the ORP probes are corrrect.

Hope this helps.

 

[ravi197699]

Thank you for your input, tank is sitting in sunroom which is separate from the living space, windows are open and I can't smell ozone other than the output of the ozone generator, are you seeing water clarity in your system or still waiting to see the results,

 

[iReefer12]

I actually haven’t turned it on yet. Need some longer tubing to get it to my skimmer