Thanks for the fantastic info Ben! I do understand that ozone is a supplemental system at best and should never be used as a primary sanitizer, but the few people I've found online who use them on a day-to-day basis seem to think their water is crisper with the ozonator installed. Could it be a placebo effect, or perhaps they're simply trying to justify spending the money on it? People also report having to add chlorine less frequently, which is a big plus for me, and is the only reason I'm even considering it. My PB swears by this system, and while I understand that they want to keep their profit margins as wide as possible, they are a very reputable company here in Central FL so I doubt he'd try selling it to me if he didn't believe in the technology at all.

No worries on the registration thing, I just think that while it's great for keeping spammers away, it could potentially turn good people away who may want to contribute to the community. Heck, just tell me where to send my blood sample!

Thanks again!
Jose

Quote Originally Posted by PoolDoc View Post
Well, Jose;

Yes, the registration process is awkward. I've got some changes scheduled; we'll have to see how they go.

I hadn't looked at the ClearO3 system before. Now that I've downloaded all their manuals and such, from here:
http://www.paramountpoolproducts.com/products/clearo3/
I am NOT impressed.

They are selling a UV based ozone system for use in Florida. They've got a fascinating ClearO3 vs Salt brochure here, that lists all the problems the O3 system does NOT have. Ironically, the list is mostly accurate . . . but the reason their unit does not have those problem is that it really doesn't do much of anything at all!

UV Ozone systems pass air past a short wave UV lamp, and turn a tiny amount of the oxygen present into ozone. Ozone is dangerous -- it's considerably more toxic than chlorine gas! -- but these systems are intrinsically safe, because they don't produce enough ozone to be dangerous OR do much of anything to your pool.

So, they don't have the problems salt systems do, because they don't DO anything, much, except cost money. There is one exception: they put a lot of tiny air bubbles into your pool. This tends to strip your carbonate alkalinity, with the result that PLASTER or CONCRETE pools with such systems installed, often show plaster damage after several years. Of course, if you are faithful about adding sodium bicarbonate regularly, you can avoid that, but you'll have to stay on top of it.

I'd recommend that you skip the system -- those types of systems can easily be added after the fact, if you change your mind. But it won't really save you any money. They talk about 70% savings -- well, compared to typical pool operation, you can save 50% - 80% WITHOUT any devices or new chemicals, simply by following the methods we teach here.