What is ozone?

Expressed as O3, ozone is a gaseous form of concentrated oxygen that is heavier than air. In nature the smell of ozone can often be observed as a pleasant fresh smell during and after thunder & lightning storms.

How is the ozone produced in a Black Max ozone generator, and why is using a UV lamp the best method of producing ozone?

Unlike the more common CD (corona discharge) ozone generators, inside the ozone production chamber of the Australian made Black Max ozone generator, air is drawn past a high quality pure quartz ozone producing UV (ultra-violet) lamp, operating at a precise wavelength of 185nm, which converts oxygen O2 in the air, into activated oxygen or ozone O3.  Using a UV ozone lamp produces very pure ozone, without any of the potential Nitric Acid contamination issues that are often a problem with a CD ozone generator, especially in any high humidity environment.

Will ozonated water control diseases and keep plants healthy?

Ozone is one of the most effective bactericide known. Waterborne diseases are controlled by the injected ozone, which destroys fungi, pathogenic bacteria, viruses and organochlorines. These disease causing microbes can greatly reduce plant growth and yields or even destroy entire crops.  Ozone introduced into water is not harmful to the environment, as once it has done its job, any excess ozone will simply break down into oxygen, which super oxygenates the nutrient solution, promoting rapid healthy root development. 

Ozone has been measured as being up to 3 or 4 times more powerful as an oxidising agent than chlorine.  With pure water and waterborne diseases kept under control, plus abundant oxygen in the water as the ozone continually breaks down into oxygen, plants will grow faster and healthier, producing higher yields.

How does the Black Max ozone generator inject ozone into the water?

The simplest way to inject ozone into the water for hobbyists, is via an ozone jet (venturi) attached to a submersible pump, which is placed into the nutrient reservoir.  The best methods for maximum ozone production is to use an injector which produces finer bubbles, and is less prone to blockages. The Black Max Minizine injector, Maxizone injector, or Megazone injector manifolds are designed for this purpose, depending on the application and the volume of water in the reservoir being treated.  Water passing through the injector or injector manifold creates a vacuum through the venturi effect, and this vacuum draws ozone from the Black Max ozone generator, and injects it directly into the water where it is readily soluble.

The ozone level in the water will naturally adjust to the concentration required for waterborne disease control.  Any excess ozone can be simply allowed to gas off through the water and into the *open air, as long as the ozone system is in an unenclosed space with adequate ventilation.  If the reservoir or holding tank is located in any area without adequate ventilation, any excess ozone can be vented off to the *open air, via an exhaust fan, or with flexi-duct fitted with an inline exhaust fan. *Open air is defined as an area where there is adequate free and unrestricted airflow, to prevent ozone from accumulating in any place.

Is ozone injection more effective than using air stones?

Yes, the Black Max ozone jets or injectors are much more efficient, as the ozone is forced into the water under a vacuum, rather than just bubbling air up through the water. Ozone is basically a concentrated form of oxygen, and an injector creates a greater number of very smaller bubbles, with more surface area for the ozone to interact with in the water.

Will an aquarium style air stone, air bubbler, or hydrogen peroxide and similar chemicals still be required?

With a Black Max ozone system installed you won’t need to use air bubblers, and under normal operating conditions, chlorine or hydrogen Peroxide should not be required. In extremely hot weather conditions Hydrogen Peroxide could be useful as an additional sanitising agent.
                                                                                                                                       

Is the Black Max ozone generator free of regular maintenance procedures?

Yes, there are no moving parts to wear out, and unlike a CD ozone generator, inside a Black Max there no electrodes or filters to clean or replace.  *See notes below regarding the periodic replacements of an ozone lamp.

How should the Black Max be operated to effectively treat water?

Ozone will only remain active in the water for about fifteen to twenty minutes before reverting back to oxygen once the ozone system is turned off.  When watering plants 24/7, and in hot weather conditions, or for a stronger ozone treatment, run the Black Max ozone system 24 hours a day.

How can the ozone output of a Black Max system be increased?

For water treatment ozone systems, up to a certain point, the ozone output can be increased by using a bigger water pump. A greater volume of water flowing through the injector, or injector manifold, will increase the suction created by the venturi effect, and this will extract more ozone from the Black Max ozone generator. It is also quite simple to add an additional ozone generator if required. Ozone jets, injectors, injector manifolds, and ozone hose manifolds, can be supplied to handle most water flow rates, and typical installation system requirements.

What type of ozone injectors and injector manifolds are used in a Black Max ozone system?

Black Max Ozone Generators only use genuine extremely reliable Mazzei Kynar PVDF injectors incorporating a Viton seal, and 316 stainless steel spring, designed specifically for use with ozone production systems. 

How long does the Black Max UV lamp last?

The Black Max ozone generator incorporates a high quality Industrial ozone producing UV lamp operating at a precise wavelength, together with an electronic starter for an even longer life span.  The electronic starter greatly increases the lamp life by eliminating the flickering associated with cheap bimetallic strip starters. Minimum lamp life is generally 20,000 hours for a system running 24 hours a day, or 10,000 hours for stop-start operation.

Excessive stop-start operations will greatly shorten the ozone lamp life, and void the normal warranty on the ozone lamp.  *For maximum ozone production and to avoid unexpected lamp failures, it is recommended that the ozone lamp be replaced every 3 years.  Note that both of the tombstone lamp holders that support the ozone lamp must also be replaced whenever an ozone lamp is replaced.

Can ozone be harmful?

The ozone produced by a Black Max ozone system, as used in hydroponic farming and many other commercial and industrial applications, should not be confused with smog in big cities. In an *open air environment, ozone injected into water will kill off bacteria and viruses, then any excess ozone will simply gas off into the *open air, where it will quickly break down into oxygen. Ozone produced by a Black max ozone generator would not normally be considered harmful when used in accordance with the installation & operating instructions, and the OH&S guidelines.

Ozone levels in the air within any enclosed space without adequate ventilation, must never be allowed to build up as concentrated ozone can be harmful to persons or animals if the concentration becomes too high.  Australian and USA health authorities recommend workplace exposure to ozone over an eight hour day, should be limited to a maximum of between 0.08 ppm and 0.10 ppm.  For short term exposure of up to 15 minutes, the ozone concentration can be up to 0.3 ppm without being considered harmful.

If ozone is used inside a greenhouse, the suggested maximum ozone concentration for best results is a level of between 0.05 ppm and 0.10 ppm, however this level should be confirmed for specific varieties of plants and flowers.  Always follow OH&S guidelines for your specific application.  Contact Black Max Ozone Generators for any ozone monitoring equipment requirements.  *Open air is defined as an area where there is adequate free and unrestricted airflow, to prevent ozone from accumulating in any place.

For ozone use in food preparation, the US FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has given ozone GRAS status (Generally Regarded As Safe), stating that ozone can be used in the food industry regardless of how the food is processed, or what level of ozone it contains, as long as normal good manufacturing procedures are followed.