| Many Hydroponic gardeners have experienced | | | | people or pets in the areas of the generator, the |
| problems with plant odor, mold, mildew, and even | | | | room should be well-ventilated and the ozone air |
| mites that contaminate the air. One solution used or | | | | generator set at safe levels. |
| considered for use against this problem is an ozone | | | | The ozone generator should be synchronized to run |
| generator. Ozone, when properly used, is the most | | | | when your exhaust fan is on. Using a timer to run |
| effective, dependable method of odor elimination. | | | | this device when the exhaust fan is activated will |
| An ozone generator releases ozone (O3) into the | | | | turn the generator on with proper ventilation. You |
| indoor gardening area eliminating plant odors. | | | | can then arrange your plant maintenance time around |
| However, some people may have questions over the | | | | the exhaust system cycles, and ozone will only be |
| safety of ozone generators indoors. | | | | released when you are out of the indoor grow room |
| One common misconception arises from the | | | | and absent from the area. This will solve any |
| association of ozone with smog and pollution. Ozone | | | | concerns about safety and ozone. The short bursts |
| is usually mentioned in pollution and climate change | | | | of ozone emitted by ozone generators turn back into |
| news stories, however, ozone is not a greenhouse | | | | oxygen generally within 30 minutes. |
| gas. In fact, ozone plays an important part in | | | | In order to keep ozone from penetrating into other |
| protecting life on Earth by absorbing potentially | | | | rooms, you should keep doors and other openings |
| harmful ultraviolet radiation. | | | | shut, and preferably sealed if there are large gaps |
| Ozone is basically just oxygen (O2) with three rather | | | | underneath the indoor grow room entrance. You can |
| than two molecules. A natural gas, ozone is created | | | | use plastic sheeting to seal off openings that cannot |
| when air in the atmosphere is bombarded with | | | | be closed. |
| ultraviolet radiation from the Sun. Ozone can also be | | | | Remember, ozone is only dangerous at high levels. |
| created artificially by devices using high voltage | | | | You can work in your Hydroponic grow room so long |
| electrical currents. Ozone is able to kill odors because | | | | as the room is well ventilated and the generator is |
| it releases its third molecule, which then acts as a | | | | kept at a safe level setting or off. In fact, ozone |
| sort of "predator" of other odors by binding to their | | | | exists naturally in the air we breathe regardless of |
| sources and eliminating them. | | | | whether there is a generator around or not. Dangers |
| For this reason, ozone has been popularly used by | | | | arise only when the ventilation is not sufficient to |
| commercial establishments for years as a means of | | | | handle the amount of ozone produced by the |
| purifying and deodorizing the air. | | | | generator. |
| If you have a Hydroponic indoor grow room, an | | | | If you are venting directly outdoors, ozone air |
| ozone generator may be the most cost effective | | | | generators do not produce enough ozone to |
| solution as compared to other types of air purification | | | | endanger the areas outside of your grow room. |
| systems. The generators are very energy efficient | | | | Vented ozone quickly dissipates in the surrounding air |
| and economical to use. They are also small and easy | | | | outdoors. The dangers only apply to confined areas in |
| to fit into practically any type of grow room | | | | which the ozone can build up if the settings are too |
| configuration. Ozone generators are available in a | | | | high or the ventilation is inadequate. |
| wide range of sizes to handle both large and small | | | | One point to repeat is that ozone is not a |
| indoor grow rooms. | | | | greenhouse gas! If you closely read those articles |
| Are there any dangers to worry about? Ozone air | | | | about the ozone layer, you will find that scientists are |
| generators are safe so long as they are installed and | | | | actually worried about the depletion of the ozone |
| operated properly. The Occupational Safety and | | | | layer, i.e., too little rather than too much ozone. |
| Health Administration (OSHA) and the Environmental | | | | So if you are considering using ozone for your indoor |
| Protection Agency (EPA) have certain standards for | | | | grow room, it is safe so long as the equipment is |
| save levels of ozone in occupied areas, which all | | | | installed and operated properly within your exhaust |
| manufacturers follow. | | | | system. The benefits of using an ozone generator to |
| If your Hydroponic indoor grow room is not occupied, | | | | eliminate plant odor, mold and pests far out weight |
| then there is no danger using an ozone air generator. | | | | the small inconvenience of plant maintenance during |
| The safe levels required only apply to rooms in which | | | | times the generator and exhaust system are cycled |
| there are people or animals present. If there are | | | | off. |