Ionizers and Ozonators

[cannaninja]

Ok so the subject so far is pretty simple and I've been doing quite a bit of reasearch on the subject. On these forums I've been noticing some misinformation being fed to users about negative ion generators and ozone generators. So I thought I'd step up and hopefully help everyone out here a little bit. Most ion generators or ionisers (nearly all) on the market are negative ion generators (as opposed to positive ion generators). And ozonators or ozone generators are well.... ozone generators. So far I've seen a good deal of confusion on these forums over; the difference between the two devices, which or both are harmful or beneficial, and what they do. So I've taken information and gathered to hopefully help clear up confusion if any.


Wikipedia.com:
Air ioniser - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ioniser)
Ions versus ozone
Ionisers should not be confused with ozone generators (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ozone_generator), even though both devices operate in a similar way. Ionisers use electrostatically charged plates to produce positively or negatively charged gas ions that particulate matter sticks to (in an effect similar to static electricity (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Static_electricity)). Ozone generators are optimised to attract an extra oxygen ion to an O2 molecule, using either a corona discharge tube (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corona_discharge) or UV light (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UV_light). Even the best ionisers will produce a small amount of ozone, and ozone generators will produce gaseous ions of molecules other than ozone (unless fed by pure oxygen, not air).[citation needed (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)]
At high concentrations, ozone can also be toxic (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toxic) to air-borne bacteria (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bacterium), and may destroy or kill these sometimes infectious organisms. However, the needed concentrations are toxic enough to man and animal that the FDA (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Food_and_Drug_Administration) explicitly demands ozone therapy (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ozone_therapy) not be used as medical treatment,[4] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ioniser#cite_note-medical_devices-3) and has taken action against businesses that fail to comply with this regulation.[5] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ioniser#cite_note-arrest-4) Pure ozone is a highly toxic and extremely reactive gas.[6] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ioniser#cite_note-nearby-5) A higher daily average than 0.1 ppm (0.2 mg/m³) is not recommended and can damage the lungs and olfactory bulb (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olfactory_bulb) cells directly.[7] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ioniser#cite_note-health-6)


Ozone - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ozone_generator)
Physical properties
Most people can detect about 0.01 ppm (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parts-per_notation) in air. Exposure of 0.1 to 1 ppm produces headaches, burning eyes, and irritation to the respiratory passages.[5] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ozone_generator#cite_note-brown-4)
Ozone is 1.5 times as dense as oxygen. At -112 °C, it forms a dark blue liquid (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liquid). At temperatures below -193 °C, it forms a violet-black solid (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solid).[6] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ozone_generator#cite_note-5)
Ozone is diamagnetic (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diamagnetic), meaning that it will resist formation of a magnetic field (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetic_field) and will decrease the energy stored in the field once the field is established.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Just a few more words from me.

In my research I've also learned how ozone and negative ions are produced. Negative ions are explained to be formed in several ways and the one I've become most familiar with is when water is churned heavily like with waterfalls or waves crashing onto shore by a body of water, gases rising from the water with evaporating water to produce negative ions. Ozone is formed when sunlight contacting polluted areas reacting with hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxide.

I hope I got all that right... and I hope it helps!
Happy Growing!

:wtf:-cannaninja

[Revanche21]

I bought some Ionizers and in the manual it says it produces slight ozone... :\

What are the effects of Ionizers on plants?

[killerweed420]

Good post. I've been thinking about a uv ozone generator. I use a carbon scrubber now and it works great but I'd like to try a uv ozone generator to see how it stacks up against a scrubber.

[rhizome]

The UV ozone generators work OK- I always find that by the time that the suspicous aroma of green is eliminated, it's been replaced by a suspicous aroma of ozone.
But then again, maybe most folks wouldn't think twice when the house smells of ozone- I've been playing this game long enough that I notice funny things.

Corona discharge generators work by exposing an electrical arc to air (same mechanism that produces ozone aroma around lightning strikes, which should tell ya something)- very effective and safe when enclosed in the exhaust ductwork, and constructed by a professional manufacturer. There's a design floating around for making your own corona discharge generator- please don't. Window glass isn't intended for that kind of temperature variance- you're almost begging for a fire or other untoward result.

There's a reason that ozone and ion generators have fallen out of common use- the effectiveness factor is greatly outweighed by the "pain in the ass" factor.

Carbon's much more user-friendly for our applications.

[cannaninja]

Good post. I've been thinking about a uv ozone generator. I use a carbon scrubber now and it works great but I'd like to try a uv ozone generator to see how it stacks up against a scrubber.

The post is meant to describe the difference between an ioniser (negative ion generator) and an ozonator (ozone generator). Also its meant to show that Ionisers are relatively harmless and that ozonators probably aren't safe to use, especially around humans and animals. The post also isn't meant to show whats more effective than other alternatives, its for the safety of growers.

:wtf:-cannaninja

[cannaninja]

I bought some Ionizers and in the manual it says it produces slight ozone... :\

What are the effects of Ionizers on plants?

I've already started some research on its affects on plants, so I'll get back to everyone once I've gathered some decent info. I'd also like to say in what I have seen all ionisers produce slight amounts of ozone and there are slight amounts of ozone in our daily lives that we are exposed to. In small amounts ozone is harmless especially compared to other factors. although I would like to say as a word of caution make sure any area where the ioniser is used please make sure it is well ventilated. Though I haven't seen any reports on ionisers producing too much ozone to be dangerous it is better to be safe rather than sorry. And Yes obviously ozonators are sold for home use but I strongly advise against using them for safety reasons.

[cannaninja]

One last thing, thank you revanche you seem to be the only one who paid full attention and did a little reading. And sorry Rhizome the post wasn't strictly for ozonators although you are very right about being able to smell ozone so please be careful. Thanks everyone and I'll soon reply about both of these devices effect on plants. Happy Growing!:smokin:

:wtf:-cannaninja

[killerweed420]

I think the uv ozone generators are relatively safe. You want it in a seperate odour controling room. Its just not good to have humans or the plants in the same room as the generator.

[Revanche21]

Enhancing plant growth using negative ions (http://www.comtech-pcs.com/printable/ions_plants.html)

anyone have any info on personal experience with this?