Why you need oxygen for ozone therapy and how to get it

What to expect in this article:

• Why do I need an oxygen tank?
• What are the different types of oxygen tanks?  
• How do I get an oxygen tank?
• What are oxygen regulators and why are they needed?
• What if I’m having a tough time getting oxygen?

Click here for a detailed buyers guide to ozone therapy at home.

Why do I need oxygen for ozone therapy?

Pure oxygen is required for safe ozone therapy.  A tank is the highest purity and contains 99.9% oxygen.  

You cannot use room air or an oxygen concentrator.  Even the best oxygen concentrators only get up to 95% oxygen (they will try to tell you otherwise sometimes).  The additional 5% contains nitrogen, argon, and other molecules.  When they pass through the ozone generator it creates harmful contaminants.

The only time you can use room air or an oxygen concentrator is for the following reasons:

• Making ozone oil
• Making ozone water
• Ozone saunas

That’s it.  Everything else is going into your body.  The extra contaminations from impure forms of oxygen will be counterproductive to your health.

What are the different types of oxygen tanks?

540 vs 870

First, there are two different types of oxygen tanks you can get for ozone therapy, 540 or 870.  Both are rated for the same grade of oxygen, 99.9%.  There is no difference in purity.

Almost everyone gets the 540 because it’s easier to get.

The 870 oxygen tanks require a prescription from a doctor.  

However, if you are a medical practitioner, you can use your license to get an 870 tank.  And it’s mandatory that you do so if you are administering ozone therapy to patients.  

The difference between the tanks is the fitting on top of them.  This fitting will accept an oxygen tank regulator.  The oxygen tank regulator is used for changing the flow of gas into the generator, which changes the strength of the ozone.  

A 540 oxygen tank accepts a 540 regulator.  An 870 tank accepts an 870 regulator.

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Price, size, and how long they last

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If you’re getting an oxygen tank for ozone therapy, 40 cubic feet is usually the best size (F in the above picture).  

540 tanks will have different names for the same size depending on where you go.  F, R, CF, etc.  Just ask for a 40 cubic foot tank.  This generally cost about $100 - $150.  Then, a refill will cost around $15.  

Depending on what you’re doing, a tank will typically last 6 months to a year with regular use.  Just don’t forget to turn it off after each therapy.

870 tanks are usually given in “D” or “E” size.  These typically cost $100 - $150 and refills are around $20.  However, it can be a hassle to get an 870 oxygen tank because they usually want to “rent” them.  If you’re going to do ozone therapy indefinitely, it’s better to buy one.  

How do I get an oxygen tank?

Getting a 540 tank

To get a 540 oxygen tank (recommended), you will need to find a local oxygen supplier.

Google the following to find the closest one to you:

• “Airgas near me”
• “Praxair near me”
• “Weld supply shop near me”

Then go in and ask for a 40 cubic foot oxygen tank.  They will not serve you if they think you’re going to use it for medical purposes because they will be liable.

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Getting an 870 medical oxygen tank.

You need a prescription from a doctor for an 870 tank.

Doctors often prescribe oxygen tanks for migraines.  This also cuts a lot of bureaucracy with the oxygen supplier.  They want to bill insurance because they make more money.  Getting a prescription for migraines cuts most of that.  

1. Get a prescription
2. Go to a local “medical oxygen supply”.  You can Google them to find one close to you
3. Give them the prescription

What are oxygen regulators and why are they needed?

Oxygen tank regulators allow you to dispense oxygen from the tank.  They fit onto the tank and have a knob that changes how fast the gas comes from the tank.  

The oxygen tanks don’t come with a built in way to dispense the oxygen.  So an oxygen regulator is required.

A 540 oxygen regulator will fit onto a 540 tank.  An 870 oxygen regulator will fit onto an 870 tank.

The regulator comes with your ozone kit

You don’t need to buy an oxygen regulator because it will come with your kit.  When you buy the kit, make sure to select either 540 or 870 depending on the tank you are getting.

DON’T use a regulator from anyone other than your ozone therapy supplier for the following reasons:

• Regulators are often calibrated to the machine
• Ozone therapy suppliers usually have custom made regulators for their machines.  Other ones won’t work.  The regulator from an alternate supplier won’t usually work.

If you got the wrong regulator, just contact your ozone therapy supplier and ask for an exchange.  It’s free if you bought it from Simply O3.

What if I’m having a tough time getting oxygen?

1. Call or email your ozone therapy supplier.  They can usually help.
2. If you decided on an 870 tank, consider trying to get a 540 tank instead
3. Try a different location