Best ozonator system

[zacman]

Narrowing the choices down to Sundance Optima and HS Vanguard - and have looked a lot of others (really liked a Dimension One model but it was really a lot more money) and I have collected all the brochures.  The problem is that each mfgr advises that it has the best ozonator.  HS dealer tells me theirs is best - and will cost $595, Sundance dealer tells me theirs is the best and will cost $295, and so on.. . while they explain why theirs is best, I get lost with the explanation, or at least cannot distinuish the systems sufficiently.  Is there a particular superior technology and who has it ?  If one is really better, I will pay the extra cost for it. . . thanks - great forum

[rodger]

There are others here with lots more knowledge of ozone systems. But I'll pass on what I've learned so far. Please understand that I'm not an expert on this subject and everything that I'm about to write is based on some reading, deduction, guessing and not one iota on experience.

* Properly implemented, I think they can make a big difference in water quality. The secret is getting one that's properly implemented.

* Chas has lots of experience with HS and feels theirs is really the best. I suspect he's right on that one. A company named Del makes a proprietary unit for HS (Chas' info). Check their site.

* You're doing a good thing researching the ozone issue, but as others will say; there are more important things to be concerned with.

* The following is a guess on my part, please it take with a grain or two of salt. After reading quite a bit about ozone purification for water, I suspect an improperly designed and implemented ozone system can result in unhealthy amounts of the gas in the immediate spa area. If the ozone system isn't mixing the gas adequately with the water, it might bubble out and cause problems. If not in large enough quantities to affect health, maybe enough to shorten the life of polymers like the vinyl cover, rubber ducks and pillows. Arctic's Peak and Del's MDV ozone systems are designed to capture these bubbles.  

* I suspect that you get what you pay for with ozonators. If ozone is REALLY important to you, and you find a tub that otherwise pleases you, a tub with a proprietary system will likely server you better. Those with a simple add-on $150 unit may not perform optimally.

* I've read/heard somewhere that ozone water treatment in spas might cause problems with folks that have asthma. I can't recall where I read/heard that.

* Beachcomber is not fully embracing Ozone systems. Here's Keith Scott's (Founder of Beachcomber)statement taken from Beachcomber's "One Who Knows Water". Volume 179, issue 104, page 4, item #5.

Question: Is an ozonator system the best method to treat and clean hot tub water?

Keith's answer: "No, an ozonator generates a gas that is released into your hot tub water. It bothers me to release a gas into your hot tub like this - it's not a natural method to treat and clean your water as some have us believe today. I have worked closely with independent test laboratories to find a method with Beachcomber to have zero gas off in an ozonator system, yet I still would not recommend this method to treat or oxidize your hot tub. In fact, I made it available as a pre-assembly option attachment to your hot tub that can be added very easily. Not until Beachcomber can attain more outside data to support that ozone is a good, safe oxidizer to supplement your disinfectant water treatment program, will I personally recommend ozone. Natural, clean water is a very important part of our service to customers after they install their new hot tub. We recommend a clean, simple and natural process for the comfort of your family and friends."

* Here are some ozone links that might interest you.

http://www.niehs.nih.gov/oc/factsheets/ozone/home.htm  


http://www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs/ozonegen.html

http://www.delozone.com/products-resid-ing-mdv.html

http://www.rhtubs.com/o3faq.htm

http://www.httg.com/faqs_ozone.htm

http://www.lib.niu.edu/ipo/ic001118.html

http://www.spacare.com/index.asp?PageAction=Custom&ID=16

[zacman]

Rodger, thanks for the information and the sites.  I have started to check them out and they are proving to be very valuable.

[UnderTheStars]

Hi Zacman!  Can't give any insight into who's ozonator is best, but I do have a thought about pricing them.  I was going in circles asking price of each individual option, writing it down, then adding up "different packages."  While individual component prices can give you an idea of the relative cost, it may not reflect what you'll end up paying.  That was true in my case.  

I finally stopped doing the math and just gave my dealer a list of what package I wanted and asked for his best price.  He played with his adding machine and came back with a figure that was a lot less than "my adding machine."  I think most people in sales know you won't turn a browser into a buyer with price. . .But you can close a serious buyer with the right price/value.   Reflecting back, I probably didn't look like a buyer until I said, "Here's everything I want, let's make it happen."

Your question is valid about seeking the best equipment, but don't worry too much about the price of an option - the price will work itself out when you negotiate the total package.  Now I'll step aside for those with knowlege about ozonators!  (FWIW, I bought the HS with ozone.)