I have a 210-gallon display tank, 55-gallon sump, and an Ozotech Poseidon 200 ozone generator. I've tried running ozone through several protein skimmers and a dedicated reactor, but haven't found a setup that operates reliably without constant adjustments or ozone escaping.
GEO's Reef OZ418R (Gen 2) Reactor
I spent approximately six months trying to get this recirculating ozone reactor working consistently before eventually giving up and putting it in storage. Apparently, according to GEO, there are many running this reactor without issue.
My biggest issues were:
1. Flow Rate: The reactor is advertised for 125 GPH, but anything above approximately 40 GPH caused the gas separator to discharge air/ozone through the bottom water outlet of the gas separator, push water out the top of the gas separator, or both. Water entering the exhaust tubing would eventually saturate the carbon block, creating backpressure and forcing water and ozone out through the bottom of the separator.
2. Moisture Accumulation: Even at 40 GPH, moisture from the humid exhaust would eventually accumulate in the tubing and carbon block, restricting airflow and causing the same backpressure issues. Lowering the flow rate only delayed the problem.
3. Water Level Control: I constantly had to adjust the effluent valve (sometimes multiple times daily) to maintain the correct water level in the gas separator, even with the reactor installed in my sump and an unrestricted discharge. However, I believe I solved the water level issue by removing the effluent valve and installing an external vertical standpipe to maintain a consistent water level. Unfortunately, this didn't resolve the flow limitations, moisture accumulation, or backpressure problems.
I planned on eliminating the carbon block and venting the off-gas outdoors, but I'm concerned condensation could eventually accumulate in the exhaust tubing and cause similar restrictions.
Ozone Through Protein Skimmers
I've also tried introducing ozone through the following skimmers:
Unfortunately, regardless of the skimmer, I can smell ozone within a minute of turning it on, even with the Poseidon 200 at its lowest setting (approximately 2).
What I'm Considering
I'm thinking about putting the GEO reactor back into service, possibly with a redesigned or larger gas separator. Personally, I suspect the existing separator is undersized for the advertised 125 GPH flow rate. I'm also open to purchasing a different reactor if there's a more reliable option.
Ideally, I'd like a system that:
GEO's Reef OZ418R (Gen 2) Reactor
I spent approximately six months trying to get this recirculating ozone reactor working consistently before eventually giving up and putting it in storage. Apparently, according to GEO, there are many running this reactor without issue.
My biggest issues were:
1. Flow Rate: The reactor is advertised for 125 GPH, but anything above approximately 40 GPH caused the gas separator to discharge air/ozone through the bottom water outlet of the gas separator, push water out the top of the gas separator, or both. Water entering the exhaust tubing would eventually saturate the carbon block, creating backpressure and forcing water and ozone out through the bottom of the separator.
2. Moisture Accumulation: Even at 40 GPH, moisture from the humid exhaust would eventually accumulate in the tubing and carbon block, restricting airflow and causing the same backpressure issues. Lowering the flow rate only delayed the problem.
3. Water Level Control: I constantly had to adjust the effluent valve (sometimes multiple times daily) to maintain the correct water level in the gas separator, even with the reactor installed in my sump and an unrestricted discharge. However, I believe I solved the water level issue by removing the effluent valve and installing an external vertical standpipe to maintain a consistent water level. Unfortunately, this didn't resolve the flow limitations, moisture accumulation, or backpressure problems.
I planned on eliminating the carbon block and venting the off-gas outdoors, but I'm concerned condensation could eventually accumulate in the exhaust tubing and cause similar restrictions.
Ozone Through Protein Skimmers
I've also tried introducing ozone through the following skimmers:
- Lifereef VS3-26 Venturi
- Bubble King Double Cone 180
- Bubble King Deluxe 200 Light
- Tunze 9430.005 DC
Unfortunately, regardless of the skimmer, I can smell ozone within a minute of turning it on, even with the Poseidon 200 at its lowest setting (approximately 2).
What I'm Considering
I'm thinking about putting the GEO reactor back into service, possibly with a redesigned or larger gas separator. Personally, I suspect the existing separator is undersized for the advertised 125 GPH flow rate. I'm also open to purchasing a different reactor if there's a more reliable option.
Ideally, I'd like a system that:
- Provides adequate ozone contact time without releasing ozone into the room.
- Vents off-gas outdoors without using carbon, or condensation or backpressure issues.
- Uses a downstream UV sterilizer instead of activated carbon, provided it can adequately address residual ozone and ozone-generated oxidants.
- Operates reliably without constant adjustments.
- Are you using a dedicated reactor or injecting ozone through your skimmer?
- How are you handling humid off-gas and preventing moisture buildup?
- Has anyone successfully modified the GEO's Reef OZ418R to improve its performance?
- Are there any dedicated ozone reactors you've found particularly reliable and low-maintenance?
