Flowmeters in the Aquatics Environment

Why is a flowmeter important?

Whether operating a negative pressure (protein skimmer) or positive pressure (ozone reactor) aquatics environment, knowing the volume of air drawn through your ozone generator is integral to understanding how the generator is performing.

Insufficient airflow over the CD cell can result in poor ozone production and reduced skimmer/reactor performance resulting in little to no change in ORP, even if adjusting the variable output on the Poseidon 200 or Poseidon 400. Using a flowmeter ensures the proper airflow is being pulled through the system enabling optimal ozone production.

How to adjust skimmer/reactor airflow with the use of a flowmeter

If using a DC water/sump pump on your skimmer or ozone reactor, simply increase the pump speed until the desired flow rate is achieved (6-7 SCFH). If using an AC water/sump pump, an inline vacuum air pump may be required between the air dryer and the ozone generator to achieve the desired airflow (6-7 SCFH).

Ozone 101

Ozone oxidizes (breaks down) larger particulates in a reef tank into smaller particulates, they don’t make them disappear. Therefore, when using an ozone generator, it is important to make the necessary filter adjustments to capture those smaller particulates. A 50-micron filter is ideal to capture most of these particulates.

Product Features & Specifications:
  • Long operation life with durable, shatter-proof polycarbonate body 
  • Repeatable measurements enabled by precision components and manufacturing
  • Designed for ambient air & oxygen feed gas
  • Panel mount design (mounting hardware included), vertical positioning only
  • 1/8” FNPT connections

 

Flowmeter Types

 

Top Mount Flowmeter

  • Negative pressure (protein skimmer) applications
  • Measurement Range: 1-10 SCFH
  • Mounting Type: Surface/panel mount

Bottom Mount Flowmeter

  • Positive pressure (ozone reactor) applications
  • Measurement Range: 1-10 SCFH
  • Mounting Type: Surface/panel mount
Top mount and bottom mount flowmeters for aquariums
Top mount and bottom mount flowmeters
Back of Bottom Mount Flowmeter
Back of flowmeter w/barbs inserted

Flowmeters are available to purchase directly from Dwyer by clicking the link(s) below:

Flowmeter Application Usage

For more information on which type of flowmeter is needed and where to install it in your appliacation, see the illustrations below:

Ozone Ecosystem with a Protein Skimmer-Option One

Basic Poseidon 200 Setup Skimmer-Option one

Ozone Ecosystem with a Protein Skimmer-Option Two

Ozone Ecosystem with an Ozone Reactor-Option One

Ideal Poseidon 200 Setup Reactor -Option 2

Ozone Ecosystem with an Ozone Reactor-Option Two

Ideal Poseidon 200 Setup Reactor-option 2