In aquariums, the reason why ozone is used is to keep the water transparent. An ozone molecule consists of three oxygen molecules. Ozone gas is very unstable and lasts very short period of time. Ozone has long been a very effective way to filter water in aquariums just because of its instability. In this article, we will take a look at some of the advantages of water treatment with ozone and why ozone can achieve such effect.
Advantages of Water Treatment with Ozone
Treatment of polluted water with ozone is less harmful to aquatic life than the use of chlorine-containing bleach. Ozone gas dissolves in water and breaks down into its molecular form of oxygen. Ozone remained in the water can only last for a few minutes after the reaction is complete. It is not only a very strong bacteria and virus killing agent, but also highly effective in decolorization, deodorization and decomposition of organic matters. Ozone can reduce the biochemical oxygen contents (BOC) and chemical oxygen contents (COC) in polluted water, and remove some pesticides, rust removers and detergents left in the water. Ozone disinfection effect is not affected by the water ammonia nitrogen content and pH value. It will not increase any solid matter in the water either. Therefore, the use of ozone is very beneficial to the aquarium’s high requirements for water quality, water recycling and reuse.
Next, let’s look at some specific applications of ozone in aquarium water treatment.
1. Water Disinfection and Sterilization
Disinfection and sterilization of water body is the main use of ozone in water treatment. Through its strong oxidation property, ozone can increase the permeability of the organic cells of the oxidized organisms, which causes the outflow of intracellular material and the loss of activity. Ozone can also destroy enzymes and other chemical materials in cells, and thus achieve the sterilization and disinfection functions. The use of ozone for disinfection and sterilization requires a comprehensive consideration of the disinfection requirement, the type of water to handle and the stability of the water quality.
2. Decomposition of Phytoplankton and Red Tides by Ozone
Ozone has a great inhibitory effect on phytoplankton, such as algae, which are commonly found in water. The inhibitory effect of ozone on phytoplankton varies among species. Ozone has the best inhibitory effect on golden-brown algae and diatoms, while its inhibitory effect on blue-green algae and green algae was slightly worse. However, such effect on blue-green algae and green algae can also be improved by increasing the amount of ozone.
The harm of red tide is caused by the harmful substances contained in red tide organisms and their harmful metabolites. Their mass reproduction will lead to the oxygen deficit in water, which is very harmful to the survival of aquatic life, especially the young. Ozone can effectively kill red tide organisms and decompose red tide biotoxins. The use of chemicals in water to control red tides in mariculture facilities has been tried in the past. But it was not proved to be good. Therefore, ozone can be used to treat seawater that has experienced red tide phenomenon. Then, the use of the treated seawater for aquariums or mariculture farms is the most practical option at present.
3. Improve Water Quality and Prevent Disease
The strong oxidation property of ozone has a great oxidizing and degrading effect on the chemical substances in water, resulting in an effective purification of the water. In addition to water quality improvement, ozone can also better prevent diseases of aquatic animals. Since the degradation of chemical substances in water is directly proportional to the concentration of ozone in water, in order to realize an effective purification of water, the intentional overuse of ozone should be adopted. Maintaining a certain amount of ozone in water can effectively inhibit the growth of bacteria and lower the possibility of the emergence of disease.
4. Aquaculture Industry
In recent years, ozone has been widely applied in fish culture, aquatic product purification and disease control. The use of ozone-treated water for young fish breeding can significantly reduce its mortality and improve the survival of fish, shrimp and shellfish larvae. The use of ozone for shellfish purification has become an international practice. Contaminated oysters can be effectively purified by ozone treatment. The use of ozone in aquaculture can reduce the use of various disinfectants and antibiotics, as well as reduce the amount of water changing, and thus reduce the economic expense.
In the above, we introduced the applications of ozone in aquarium water treatment. The artificial generation of ozone gas is mainly realized by ozone generators. Ozone generators produce no residue or secondary pollutants in its operation. It is an internationally recognized environment-friendly disinfection solution. Compared with the use of chemical products for water treatment, the application of ozone generators can significantly reduce the operational difficulty and economic cost. Meanwhile, with proper control measures, there is no safety concern in the use of ozone. So, it is an ideal water disinfection and purification solution today.
