to start I have to ask; What do you want to use one for?
Both UV and Ozone are sterilizers. Over sterilization is not good as you may kill both beneficial organisms as well as pests.
Most people that add on a UV sterilizer are targeting algae. But in sterilizing the algae you may just end up adding more nutrients to the water column. In my opinion it’s best to control algae’s with getting the proper balance of feeding, lighting water movement and cleanup crews, and of course this takes time.
UV’s will also kill beneficial micro and macro fauna that it comes in contact with. Things like pods, aerobic bacteria’s and beneficial levels of algae’s will also be killed when they pass over the UV light. So there are pros and cons to what they sterilize. UV’s require cleaning so the main thing is getting one that can be easily cleaned or comes with a built in brush. I do not know what the bulb life is typically good for but if you run it 24/7, I would suspect the bulb would start to loose its capacity to sterilize in 6 months to a year.
Ozone is also a means of sterilization, and again it can attack both beneficial and pest organisms. Ozone attacks organic and other molecules by breaking them up. Add in that ozone is free flowing, once introduced into the system it adds another dimension of concern. It will dissipate or use it’s oxidizing power up pretty fast as long as it has organics to break down. But you can introduce too much ozone and over purify the tank to the point where it could kill everything. Typically people will hook up an ozone generator to an ORP controller or buy a low level ozonizer. They are also best hooked up to a skimmer or reactor where they can use up their organics reduction potential before being introduced into the main tank.
ORP stands for (Oxidation-Reduction Potential) it is not a true measurement in the sense of a quantity rather a comparison between all oxidizers and what they oxidize. It is also refered to as Redox Potential
Oxidizers include chlorine, bromine, and ozone (and many others). It is their ability to oxidize - to "steal" electrons from other substances - that makes them good water sanitizers. Just don't use bromine or chlorine in you tank, keep them for your pool or spa. :shock:
