Ozone Vs UV

[madasmick]

Was just after the general opinion on the ozone Vs UV i know both have advantages but who uses ozone or UV or both what do you think works best and why did you chose ozone or UV

[psteeleb]

I've used both but it's been a long time since I've used UV and a lot of the issues I had they have improved on over the years

It realy comes down to what you want out of them as they both have advantages

If you are looking at more of a sterilization - use UV
If you are looking for water clarity - use ozone

I like ozone for it's ability to break up larger protiens enabling the system to do a better job removing them; either by skimming or by consumption. Larger proteins are not easily skimmed and tend to build up over time giving the tank a yellowish look. Use of GAC helps but the visual results of ozone on an older tank's water clarity is significant enough that people warn about reducing the light intensity on corals to prevent them from getting burned

UV (IMO) is a better sterilizer and can kill off not only pests but micro algeas or anything with DNA that are suspended in the water column of the tank that passes over the UV tube, thus reducing their ability to cloud water and/or attach to the rock work and glass also making for a cleaner aquarium.

stealing a part of Randy's write up"

"Ultraviolet sterilizers use a longer wavelength of UV light (about 254 nm, typically) and kill organisms by UV's direct interaction with the tank's water as it passes by. Molecules such as DNA in the organisms absorb the 254 nm UV and the molecules break apart, killing them. Ultraviolet light at 254 nm does not produce significant ozone."
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-04/rhf/index.php
HTH

[Reef264]

Ozone has A lot of advantages, Your water will be unbelievably Clean, Clear, Oxygen Rich, and Your Fish Will be Pretty Healthy, It's pretty much the standard for Professional Tanks.

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

FWIW, most reefers do not use ozone in a way that kills bacteria. If that is the goal, use a UV.

I've stopped my ozone out of concern over HLLE, so while it is a very good way to make the water less yellow, it is not without concerns.

[madasmick]

thanks to all who have replyed im only asking as i run ozone With a opr controller but not yet running UV im only after water Water quality and the health of my live stock my local shop well not local i travel 45 mins and pass 4 other shops that i don’t trust run ozone with a opr of 400 with no problems i run 365 and the only problems i ever get is white spot but not very often and dew to it getting light here at 5am and day sunset is around 7pm even with the lights off in till 10 in the morning i get the green algae i know UV will kill free floating white spot and help with algae but i have also been told and read that ozone is affective as well and can be more affective with non free floating white spot and other pests as well and given that my tank with sump is over 600L a UV to handle this is well over $600 so im just trying to get a idea of what other people are running and why and if they are using ozone what opr level do they run

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I personally would not bother with a UV unless you suffer for visible bacterial or phytoplankton blooms in the water. With a lot of diseases it doesn't help much, and good husbandry techniques can usually avoid most diseases.