Ozonator usage in Bullfrog A7

[TdiDave]

I currently have a new 2023 Bullfrog A7 that is equipped with EOS ozone system.  

Specs state 100 mg/hr @ 880 ppm Ozone output in a ~400 gallon tub. if that matters

I'm am trying to optimize the usage of the Ozone system. Assume the system will only run during the filtration cycles, would it be best to time these cycles as close to the time we normally end our soak (ie 7am & 10pm) ?

Any other tip or pointers?

[ratchett]

Ozone does not build up in the water - it flows through and bubbles up to the surface (this is why many brands vent the ozone gas into the bottom of the footwell so the ozone gas has more time to travel through the water as it bubbles up).   Too high output of ozone gas can actually cause damage to components with the cover closed.

In general, ozonators work best when paired with a circulation pump to continuously inject ozone into the water.  However I would not advise that with your setup for several reasons.   I would focus on setting filter cycles based on usage of the tub and advise from the dealer - don't go crazy running the filter for 8+ hours twice a day.

The ozonator is beneficial, but in your setup I would treat it as if it wasn't really there or doing much of anything. 

[RDspaguy]

Ozone oxidizes chloramines, acting as a "shock machine". The amount of ozone "needed" will vary with usage and chemical levels. 

[Davekro]

On 6/5/2023 at 12:41 PM, TdiDave said:

I currently have a new 2023 Bullfrog A7 that is equipped with EOS ozone system.  

Specs state 100 mg/hr @ 880 ppm Ozone output in a ~400 gallon tub. if that matters

I'm am trying to optimize the usage of the Ozone system. Assume the system will only run during the filtration cycles, would it be best to time these cycles as close to the time we normally end our soak (ie 7am & 10pm) ?

Any other tip or pointers?

@TdiDave ,

The two responses above to your inquiry are speaking to how the regular ozone generators function in hot tubs. IMO, the information is not directly applicable to Bullfrog's unique proprietary EOS, Enhanced Ozone System. I am getting a B'frog A6L in a few days, with Bullfrog's EOS system, which operates in a much different way. The EOS system exposes the spa water to its much more concentrated ozone in an enclosed chamber, where the waste gases are passed through a carbon filter to neutralize them. That is my Newbie interpretation of the process. 😉

After more than 2 weeks of asking on two forums and Googling ad infinitum, "How long does the unique EOS system need to run per day?" I was blessed that a veteran spa (and forum) guy, CanadianSpaTech, shared a link from JoyfulNoise (another veteran Spa and forum guy 🙂) that explains that 1) the EOS system does not need to run 24/7 -AND-  2) does not, or a least to a much lesser degree(??) cause the 'ozone cloud' between the water's surface and cover which deteriorates the cover and surfaces of the headrests. I would like to hear that question addressed specifically, but that is what I thought was implied by JoyfulNoise's EOS description. Anyway, below is my cut and pasted post from another thread that summarizes the use of Bullfrog's proprietary EOS system. But TdiDave and any Bullfrog spa owners with the EOS system, you will want to read post # 14 in the thread link that CanadianSpaTech (THANK YOU, Sir!) shared.

     ************** my post from another thread ************

Quote from: CanadianSpaTech on January 04, 2024, 09:20:55 am

https://www.troublefreepool.com/threads/installing-an-eos-ozone-generator-in-a-bullfrog-r7-hot-tub.267293/

 

Thank you, @CanadianSpaTech !

Post #14 by JoyfulNoise (TFP Expert) on the thread you linked speaks very specifically to how ozone should and should not be used in a hot tub. Since I literally just put $17,000 cash down on the counter of my Bullfrog dealer to buy my A6L Select trim level with Bullfrog's EOS (Enhanced Ozone System). I have been asking on this forum and PSF forum for specifically how long one should run 'regular ozone generator vs. the EOS ozone which mixes ozone with the water in an enclosed chamber, at a MUCH higher concentration than the standard ozone generators that just blow the ozone bubbles into the spa and only react with the spa water for as long as it takes for the bubbles to rise from the bottom to the surface. Then that ozone bubble hits the surface and creates the 'ozone cloud' which is I assume what causes deterioration of the cover and headrests.

Part of JoyfulNoise's comments in that thread post #14:
"There are right ways to use ozone and very wrong ways to use it."

"Ozone should be applied as a supplemental oxidizer to chlorine or bromine. It should be applied for only a period of time that it has an actual effect (removal of CCs) and then it should be stopped. Ozone is a very powerful oxidizer that will quickly degrade plastics, cause corrosion of metal parts and is a powerful respiratory irritant that can trigger asthma attacks in vulnerable people. It’s something that should be used sparingly and with proper engineering controls to ensure that people aren’t breathing it in. "

"The EOS system mentioned above actually uses ozone the correct way - it utilizes a contact tank to treat water slowly and then any residual ozone is released through a blow off valve attached to an active charcoal filter that will neutralize the ozone and turn it back into harmless oxygen gas. In this case, only water in the contact tank gets treated and sent back into the spa. The unit generates 100 grams per hour of ozone which is actually quite high. It [EOS] only needs to be run for a few hours to destroy bather waste and then it can be shut off and a chlorine residual can be reestablished. This is the correct way to apply ozone to a hot tub. In the past, tub makers would simply put an ozone generator on one of the recirculation lines and then just power it up when the tub was in standby mode and presumably covered. That method over utilizes ozone which then will destroy chlorine as it builds up. It also causes rapid wear and tear on the CD ozone generator which will quickly fail within a year from constant use. "

That part in red answers the question that remained unanswered after days of asking in forums and Googling the question. THANK YOU CanadianSpaTech!!! Now I feel great that the default 2 hours, 2x/day will give the A6L's ≈ 400 gallons of water plenty of ozone treatment. It goes without saying that I will still be diligent about testing and balancing w/ my Taylor kit, but now feel great about not spending another $2k to order a New Bullfrog to get their programmable Circ. pump. Woo Hoo! I need to figure this chemical and balancing stuff out soon. It is possible my tub might be able to be delivered in two days!!!     Dave     

*************** end of pasted post *************

@ TdiDave , I hope this info from this old thread finds its way to you. Now that you have had your EOS system in operation for 7 months, please share what you have learned. Am I correct to guess that you do not have Bullfrog's 1/15th HP programmable Circ. Pump? (Note to non B'frog folks: B'frog does not use the very much lower GPM 24/7 only, circulation system.)

[Davekro]

I was looking at my 5-week-old Bullfrog A6L's three EOS Ozonator System components today, Ozone Generator $392, Ozone Mixing Chamber, and Carbon filter. The carbon filter says to mark the date put in use and replace in two years. The new Bullfrog brand EOS carbon filter costs $88. My reading says that carbon absorbs Ozone (O3). There does not apear to be any other special ingredients required, so I will just replace it with a generic carbon filter. I'm not sure which types of activated carbon used in water treatment – Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) and Powdered Activated Carbon (PAC), would be best for this application. The main difference between GAC and PAC is their particle size. GAC has a larger particle size than the PAC and thus larger surface area. I'd guess the granular (GAC), but I'll cut open the old filter in 2 years to see the texture of the charcoal in the Bullfrog OEM filter when it is time to replace it.