Ozone generators, expensive reef made options or cheap generic?

[SaltyShrimpy]

The ozone generators made for reef tanks are several hundred bucks. Yet I can buy generic 'ozone generators' off amazon, which claim to be considerably more powerful, for a few bucks each.

Is there really much difference between the types of units? If I plug them into an apex outlet and control them on a timer, with ORP probe readings for the safety factor?

 

[CasperOe]

As with all things, you typically get what you pay for! :-) With the more expensive "aquarium options" you can change parts inside them when they brake (which they will!) such as the conora discharge etc.

Whether this unit will work, I can't tell you. I use an AquaMedic ozone generator. It was not expensive. It has been solid for a couple of years now.

 

[taricha]

How do we know that $40 plastic box actually generates ozone and in what amounts?
In a reef context - people measure and monitor ORP etc.
People wanting some ozone in their homes (?!?) are unlikely to measure the output of such a device, so how would they know if it works?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

How are they claiming to be more powerful?

 

[Haim Bengelsdorf]

The ozone generators made for reef tanks are several hundred bucks. Yet I can buy generic 'ozone generators' off amazon, which claim to be considerably more powerful, for a few bucks each.

Is there really much difference between the types of units? If I plug them into an apex outlet and control them on a timer, with ORP probe readings for the safety factor?

 

[Haim Bengelsdorf]

don't worry i am using the same .
working very nice just use orp prob.

 

[taricha]

don't worry i am using the same .
working very nice just use orp prob.

does this Ozone generator raise the ORP by the expected amount?

 

[Haim Bengelsdorf]

does this Ozone generator raise the ORP by the expected amount?

yes

 

[gbroadbridge]

The ozone generators made for reef tanks are several hundred bucks. Yet I can buy generic 'ozone generators' off amazon, which claim to be considerably more powerful, for a few bucks each.

Is there really much difference between the types of units? If I plug them into an apex outlet and control them on a timer, with ORP probe readings for the safety factor?

I just use one manufactured for use with a spa bath.

From memory about $35 on Amazon.

Works perfectly fine without the reef tax.

 

[jduong916]

I honestly don’t think the ozotech poseidon is high quality at all. It’s not even built well. I just replaced the corona discharge and the thing still isn’t producing ozone, I’ve only had the unit for 1.25 years. The corona discharge cost over $100, I’d rather buy a a new $40 dollar unit than replace the corona discharge every year. And how do I know if it’s producing ozone, easily, I put my face up to the skimmer and sniff.

But seriously, I don’t get why people say ozotech is such quality. Have they ever picked it up, it the lightest cheapest feeling item piece of equipment I have. And on top of that the one replacement part is more expensive than two cheap units.

 

[Biff0rz]

The expensive and difficult part of ozone isn't the ozone generation....it's how you deal with it after it's made and introduced to the tank.

 

[scotty333]

Mine was half that even from AliExpress or Temu
! 1000mg/h on a 400 ltr tank , orp rises slow (on 3 hours a night on a timer ) Milwaukee pro probe is a must but 4 months on and this does the job

 

[zoomonster]

Just a couple thoughts... Hey if it works and cheap try it. Over the years I have gone through numerous junk hobby units starting with the original Saunders. Personally, I prefer the Ozotech Poseidon. My first one lasted probably 9+ years with little or no maintenance. I would have replaced the discharge but by that time the whole thing was shot from wiring, fittings and tubes and just tossed it and on a second unit.

Just to clarify a question by OP "If I plug them into an apex outlet and control them on a timer, with ORP probe readings for the safety factor?"

If you have an Apex use it and the probe. Running with a timer is fairly useless in controlling ORP. I have always run on Apex using the probe to keep ORP in 350-375 range. When it does run its going to be much less than using a timer. Kind of like the uselessness of turning off your central air when not home. Takes more time and energy to get it back where you want it vs. short runs to maintain.

I just use some carbon filter material on top the skimmer lid along with a bag of carbon on top. And of course, I always run a bag of rox carbon in sump.

 

[scotty333]

Just a couple thoughts... Hey if it works and cheap try it. Over the years I have gone through numerous junk hobby units starting with the original Saunders. Personally, I prefer the Ozotech Poseidon. My first one lasted probably 9+ years with little or no maintenance. I would have replaced the discharge but by that time the whole thing was shot from wiring, fittings and tubes and just tossed it and on a second unit.

Just to clarify a question by OP "If I plug them into an apex outlet and control them on a timer, with ORP probe readings for the safety factor?"

If you have an Apex use it and the probe. Running with a timer is fairly useless in controlling ORP. I have always run on Apex using the probe to keep ORP in 350-375 range. When it does run its going to be much less than using a timer. Kind of like the uselessness of turning off your central air when not home. Takes more time and energy to get it back where you want it vs. short runs to maintain.

I just use some carbon filter material on top the skimmer lid along with a bag of carbon on top. And of course, I always run a bag of rox carbon in sump.

It’s always nice if you have money for an apex but the op isn’t asking the optimal way to run ozone but I understood on the cheap , correct me if I’m wrong
Personally I don’t trust orp probes enough to not have a fail safe such a timer , I mean it just take a stomatella to park its butt on the probe and boom 700mv “ nuked” time
Anyway, I’ll let the op decide cos I don’t know if he’s loaded or not

 

[zoomonster]

It’s always nice if you have money for an apex but the op isn’t asking the optimal way to run ozone but I understood on the cheap , correct me if I’m wrong
Personally I don’t trust orp probes enough to not have a fail safe such a timer , I mean it just take a stomatella to park its butt on the probe and boom 700mv “ nuked” time
Anyway, I’ll let the op decide cos I don’t know if he’s loaded or not

The OP did say he had an Apex and ORP probe. And LOL ozone does not work that fast and never had a problem in something like 20 years of using ORP probe with Apex and ozone. I keep my 200mg unit on about 100mg and even if the probe gets fouled never a real problem. Even at 200mg an hour it would be hard pressed to get the ORP of my 200g heavily stocked tank to 400mv. Might be a different story if using a high output unit meant for hot tubs or pools.

 

[scotty333]

The OP did say he had an Apex and ORP probe. And LOL ozone does not work that fast and never had a problem in something like 20 years of using ORP probe with Apex and ozone. I keep my 200mg unit on about 100mg and even if the probe gets fouled never a real problem. Even at 200mg an hour it would be hard pressed to get the ORP of my 200g heavily stocked tank to 400mv. Might be a different story if using a high output unit meant for hot tubs or pools.

Just messing with ya , no rush to reach 400 anyway , mine reaches 340 or so but I’m not pushing anything because over 250 you’ll get what you want if it’s clarity , I don’t see any other improvements above running carbon but changing media in a reactor is a pita but it is on for the same schedule as the ozone to catch any bipeoducts
And I’m with you on the carbon ontop of skimmer, totally works
Happy reefing

 

[gbroadbridge]

I honestly don’t think the ozotech poseidon is high quality at all. It’s not even built well. I just replaced the corona discharge and the thing still isn’t producing ozone, I’ve only had the unit for 1.25 years. The corona discharge cost over $100, I’d rather buy a a new $40 dollar unit than replace the corona discharge every year. And how do I know if it’s producing ozone, easily, I put my face up to the skimmer and sniff.

But seriously, I don’t get why people say ozotech is such quality. Have they ever picked it up, it the lightest cheapest feeling item piece of equipment I have. And on top of that the one replacement part is more expensive than two cheap units.

My $50 300mg/h Amazon pool/spa unit is still working perfectly after 3 years.

I see no value in paying reef tax on old proven ozone tech.

 

[jduong916]

My $50 300mg/h Amazon pool/spa unit is still working perfectly after 3 years.

I see no value in paying reef tax on old proven ozone tech.

Which one did you get

 

[kboogie]

Not to bring back an old thread, but I was doing research and saw this thread. I thought it would be valuable to add that I was watching a BRS TV episode where they talked about devices to make reefing easier and they mentioned ozone generators as a top pick. The thing I found funny was that they recommended instead of buying one made for reefs, get a cheap unit from Amazon and replace it every few years when it stops producing ozone. I loved the honesty from one of the largest retailers in the hobby.

 

[gbroadbridge]

Not to bring back an old thread, but I was doing research and saw this thread. I thought it would be valuable to add that I was watching a BRS TV episode where they talked about devices to make reefing easier and they mentioned ozone generators as a top pick. The thing I found funny was that they recommended instead of buying one made for reefs, get a cheap unit from Amazon and replace it every few years when it stops producing ozone. I loved the honesty from one of the largest retailers in the hobby.

The one I mentioned above is still going strong.

The only reason I didn't link above is because products available from Amazon in Australia would not be the same as those available in other regions. However this is a link (but it's increased in price from AUD $49 to $89 since I originally purchased it).