18 Ozone
Description
This article is from the Aquaria: Filters FAQ, by Bruce Hallman.
18 Ozone
Ozone gas is highly reactive and is a powerful oxidizer of organic
pollutants, including living pathogens. Another benefit of water
treatment with ozone gas is that it systematically reduces dissolved
organic compounds in the water stream which increases the reserve
capacity of the water to oxidize organic waste throughout the
aquarium. Ozone laden water also improves the ability of protein
skimmers to generate foam which increases their overall performance.
Prior to the discovery of the live rock/protein skimmer "Berlin
Method" style of reef keeping, ozone injection was considered part of
a "state of the art" filtration system, especially among Europeans in
the 1980's. The trend of late is towards the more simple and natural
Berlin Method. Though ozone use remains beneficial, it is being used
less in recent years among reef keepers.
Ozone gas is produced by devices which create a spark in dry air. As
humidity drastically reduces the efficiency of ozone generators most
aquarist choose to pretreat the air for the ozonizer with a
dehumidifier. Ozone gas is highly corrosive, all elements (especially
rubber) which can come in contact with ozone must be made from ozone
safe materials (commonly silicone). Residual ozone can be efficiently
stripped from air by passing the air through activated carbon. Ozone
must not be allowed to enter your aquarium because it can kill your
fish and invertebrates and/or damage the beneficial bacterial in your
biological filter. Also, ozone gas is unsafe to breath and can cause
irritation even in small concentrations.
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