Hot Tub Forum
Original => Hot Tub Forum => Topic started by: kpitt on January 30, 2015, 06:18:14 pm
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Wondering if anyone has opinion on the AOP system offered by Artestian as opposed to standard ozonator ?
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As described in this link (http://www.artesianspas.co.uk/features?feature=crystal-aop-water-treatment), the Artesian Spas Crystal AOP Water Treatment is a combination of Nature2, UV, and ozone. The Nature2 silver ions if used alone without non-chlorine shock (MPS) provide slow disinfection rates as shown in the chart in this post (http://www.troublefreepool.com/threads/23319-converting-my-ecosmarte-system-to-chlorine?p=203066&viewfull=1#post203066) but should be enough to prevent uncontrolled bacteria growth for some bacteria. Their site says that Nature2 provides copper ions, but that is only in the pool version of Nature2 while in the spa version there are zinc ions instead. Such ions are not effective against viruses and generally won't kill fast enough to prevent person-to-person transmission of disease which is why such a system would not be allowed without a disinfectant such as chlorine or bromine in a commercial or public pool or spa.
The UV if used after the ozonator will produce more hydroxyl radicals which are powerful oxidizers (some are produced anyway when ozone breaks down but more are produced when UV is used). This could help the spa clear in a more heavily used spa if enough ozone were to be used. It also should reduce the rate of hot tub cover degradation as there should be less outgassing of ozone. They have a fast circulation pump to circulate the water fairly quickly, but remember that some pathogens stick to spa surfaces and grow there so while the silver ions may help to inhibit that growth, the UV/ozone won't do anything unless residual ozone got into the spa water (and with the UV system after the ozonator that should be less likely to occur).
The more usual way to use the Nature2 system as described in the Spa Mineral Sanitizer Owner's Manual (http://www.zodiacpoolsystems.com/~/media/Zodiac/Global/Downloads/TL/TL-2700.ashx) is with non-chlorine shock (MPS) and this combination is approved by the EPA for disinfection.
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Thanks for your response, sounds like a system I would be interested in. I now need to do some research into replacement parts cost and availability. It is rated for 20,00 hrs but don't want to get into something that is too expensive to maintain or so unreliable.