What would be the better investment?

synthesis · 10/30/2006, 02:41 PM

I know this question will cause somewhat of a debate because each person will have had different experiences. But what im looking for is a general cost to effectiveness.

Im trying to decide on whether to use Ozone or just UV to help sterilize the water. I know Ozone is much more complex then UV. So is Ozone really worth the extra costs?

Im looking to add this to a 90Gal display/75Gal sump system. Goal is SPS corals.

Thought and comments is greatly appreciated.

mthedude · 10/30/2006, 02:53 PM

ozone is more complex but once you get it dialed in it will create a nicer looking display and won't kill your micro organisms like a UV bulb will. Plus you don't have to change or clean your UV bulb.

SCR · 10/30/2006, 03:48 PM

I was told for a system that small you don't need ozone and to use a UV unit for a short period of time , 4 to 6 weeks, when fighting ICK. LOL

meschaefer · 10/30/2006, 03:58 PM

I don't really think that they are interchangeable. They perform different functions.

UV kills things in the water column, and it kills the good with the bad. IMO.... you don't need or want to use UV in a reef tank, unless you have a specific problem such as ick, and even then there are arguably better ways to address the problem.

Ozone, is used to help make your water clear, by breaking down yellowing compounds in the water. You can get very good results using carbon if you don't want to deal with the complexity and the cost.

synthesis · 10/30/2006, 04:45 PM

So really the question is....why do reefers use ozone if it costs alot and carbon could essentially do the same thing?.

Thx for clearing up the difference between the two.

Frankysreef · 10/30/2006, 05:23 PM

I don't use it... and me reef is gorgeous... IMO there is a lot of unneeded bells and whistles in this hobby when it just comes down to good husbandry and stable tank params.

Craig Lambert · 10/30/2006, 05:30 PM

I would not use either. Put the additional money into a high quality skimmer if you are in the planning stage.

10/30/2006, 02:41 PM	#1
synthesis Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Vancouver Posts: 196	What would be the better investment? I know this question will cause somewhat of a debate because each person will have had different experiences. But what im looking for is a general cost to effectiveness. Im trying to decide on whether to use Ozone or just UV to help sterilize the water. I know Ozone is much more complex then UV. So is Ozone really worth the extra costs? Im looking to add this to a 90Gal display/75Gal sump system. Goal is SPS corals. Thought and comments is greatly appreciated.

10/30/2006, 02:53 PM	#2
mthedude Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Des Moines, IA Posts: 549	ozone is more complex but once you get it dialed in it will create a nicer looking display and won't kill your micro organisms like a UV bulb will. Plus you don't have to change or clean your UV bulb. __________________ You........Cake or Death? I'll have the cake please.... ....well we're outta cake! Current Tank Info: 55g Reef Tank, scooter blenny, tail spot blenny, cleaner shrimp, button polyps, fuzzy mushrooms, hammer coral, multi color zoos, 10 gal fuge, Octopus NW150

10/30/2006, 03:58 PM	#4
meschaefer Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Astoria, NYC Posts: 564	I don't really think that they are interchangeable. They perform different functions. UV kills things in the water column, and it kills the good with the bad. IMO.... you don't need or want to use UV in a reef tank, unless you have a specific problem such as ick, and even then there are arguably better ways to address the problem. Ozone, is used to help make your water clear, by breaking down yellowing compounds in the water. You can get very good results using carbon if you don't want to deal with the complexity and the cost. __________________ Matt Current Tank Info: 220 gallon w/ starphire, 120 gallon starphire sump, Skimmer DAS Ex-2, Calcium Reactor Geo 618, Trade Wind 1/2 hp compact Chiller, 2x 250 HQI Lumenarc Reflectors, Vortech mp40w, AC Jr.,

10/30/2006, 05:30 PM	#7
Craig Lambert Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 2,897	I would not use either. Put the additional money into a high quality skimmer if you are in the planning stage. __________________ "Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and he will spend all day in a boat drinking beer." Current Tank Info: 75G Tank, 29G Sump, 100lbs LR, AquaC EV-180, Iwaki MD-20RT return Tunze nano streams 4X54 t-5/Icecap Ballast & SLR's 2x110 vho actinic

10/30/2006, 03:48 PM	#3
SCR Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Central, Fl Posts: 708	I was told for a system that small you don't need ozone and to use a UV unit for a short period of time , 4 to 6 weeks, when fighting ICK. LOL

10/30/2006, 04:45 PM	#5
synthesis Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Vancouver Posts: 196	So really the question is....why do reefers use ozone if it costs alot and carbon could essentially do the same thing?. Thx for clearing up the difference between the two.

10/30/2006, 05:23 PM	#6
Frankysreef Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Newport Beach CA Posts: 3,096	I don't use it... and me reef is gorgeous... IMO there is a lot of unneeded bells and whistles in this hobby when it just comes down to good husbandry and stable tank params.