Uv sterilizer

Ca3 · 07/06/2012, 05:54 PM

My 120 is almost complete just looking for a sterilizer any suggestions on what size?

SeanT · 07/06/2012, 06:14 PM

What reason do you wish to implement an UV sterilizer.

billdogg · 07/07/2012, 05:18 AM

IMHO, they, in most cases, are a waste of $$$. I have one in a box in the basement where it has been for about 15 years. Just too lazy to throw it out.

Reefmedic79 · 07/07/2012, 05:35 AM

+1, on a reef tank they are practically useless, they kill off to many of the beneficial organisms.

On a hospital or quarentine tank they can be very helpful though.

Sethjamto · 07/07/2012, 09:54 AM

I've been running one on my 29BC since I set it up only because It came with my used setup. Should I remove it? Does it do more harm than good?

billdogg · 07/07/2012, 11:17 AM

IMHO, they are not all that harmful - they just don't really add much benefit.

MrTuskfish · 07/07/2012, 01:39 PM

UV is a good water clarifer, it kills algae spores. But, many folks expect it to prevent ich, and other parasites, it doesn't. IMO & IME; the cost, constant maintenance, etc. isn't worth it. I'd bet that a high % of those in use aren't doing anything anyhow; because of flow, bulb, and dirty sleeve problems.

want1 · 07/07/2012, 01:49 PM

i have been keeping a saltwater tank for about 5 years now. So by far I am no expert and I have never done a reef tank. However I have a 250 FOWLR tank and everytime i turn my UV off in the past my fish got sick could just be a right time right place kind of thing However I run my UV all the time and have great luck!

MrTuskfish · 07/07/2012, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by want1

i have been keeping a saltwater tank for about 5 years now. So by far I am no expert and I have never done a reef tank. However I have a 250 FOWLR tank and everytime i turn my UV off in the past my fish got sick could just be a right time right place kind of thing However I run my UV all the time and have great luck!

Just curious: what do you mean by "sick"?

want1 · 07/07/2012, 08:39 PM

i have had ich 4 times every time i moved my fish and tried the QT process like everyone says and then someone suggested try feeding them through it as long as they were eating and have had no trouble since i have also had one fight with fin rot

tmz · 07/07/2012, 09:32 PM

I have 4 uv sterilzers on the out of service shelf in my basement. haven't used them in years. They are over hyped for fish disease prevention and treament, imo and experience.

Roadki11 · 07/08/2012, 01:21 AM

I used my uv when I had a bacteria bloom and the water got all green and cloudy. Running the uv for 2 days cleared it all up, although using better water would have prevented it from starting in the first place. I'll turn it on for a few hours a day just to be safe now.

Just my 2 cents.

ken55 · 07/08/2012, 08:39 AM

I used one on my first salt tank. I'm not sure if I got any benefit from it. I bought it after reading a magazine article about how great they were. Everything that could have been a benefit can also be explained away by another factor. My water was clear but I also ran carbon. I didn't have algea problems but I didn't have a phosphate problem either. My fish didn't get sick but mayby they weren't sick to begin with. Who knows? I don't.

I left it off when I upgraded to the new tank. I haven't noticed any difference. Mayby it did give some benefits or mayby it didn't. Mine (like the others) now sits in a box in the garage.

fishgate · 07/08/2012, 08:39 AM

I'd get a 15 watt at least. They are effective more so for water clarity and algae control but also to a certain extent disease control. There is no more maintenance on them than any other filter, actually less. The one I have you can even change the bulb without turning off the pump or disconnecting anything. Bulbs should be changed annually at least. I run mine on during the day with the light and at night it cycles off (bulb only turns off, water continues to flow through the unit). Check replacement bulb availability and pricing first before making the decision on which one to get.

FYI: Most require a separate powerhead/pump to flow water through them.

ken55 · 07/08/2012, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishgate

FYI: Most require a separate powerhead/pump to flow water through them.

This is correct. Also, in theory anyway, the slower the water passes through the more 'contact' time it has with the light. You'll want a small pump if you decide to use one.

Good Luck, whichever way you decide.

reef4life07 · 07/08/2012, 02:36 PM

I also have a uv that I don't use, I know people who have reef tanks that don't bother with it, and people who have fish only that do use it...Just save your money, as long as you keep on maintaining your tank, and equipment you'll be fine.

07/06/2012, 05:54 PM	#1
Ca3 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 83	Uv sterilizer My 120 is almost complete just looking for a sterilizer any suggestions on what size?

07/06/2012, 06:14 PM	#2
SeanT Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Wilmington, North Carolina Posts: 13,860	What reason do you wish to implement an UV sterilizer. __________________ My tank was cool. Current Tank Info: Barebottom (the tank not me...at least not at the moment).

07/07/2012, 05:18 AM	#3
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	IMHO, they, in most cases, are a waste of $$$. I have one in a box in the basement where it has been for about 15 years. Just too lazy to throw it out. __________________ I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer

07/07/2012, 05:35 AM	#4
Reefmedic79 Life and Reef Saver Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Tavares, Florida Posts: 6,202	+1, on a reef tank they are practically useless, they kill off to many of the beneficial organisms. On a hospital or quarentine tank they can be very helpful though. __________________ ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸><((((º>¸. ·´¯`·.¸. , . .·´¯`·.. ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸><((((º> How much deeper would the ocean be if it didn't have sponges? P. Sherman 42 Wallaby Way Sid Current Tank Info: 40 Breeder, 20L Sump, 10G Fuge, JBJ A.T.O, 4" Reef Octopus, DIY Stand & Canopy, RapidLED Dimmable 36 Kit on 3 6" MakersLED Heatsink, MP10es

07/07/2012, 09:54 AM	#5
Sethjamto Registered Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Mobile, AL Posts: 845	I've been running one on my 29BC since I set it up only because It came with my used setup. Should I remove it? Does it do more harm than good? __________________ 8ft 300g, Reeflo Dart Gold return, MRC 48" High-flo reef sump, MRC MR4 dual beckett Skimmer, (2) Reefbreeders Photon 48's, Reef Angel, LMIII continuous water change/ATO setup..

07/07/2012, 11:17 AM	#6
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	IMHO, they are not all that harmful - they just don't really add much benefit. __________________ I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer

07/07/2012, 01:39 PM	#7
MrTuskfish Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: The Wild Blue Yonder Posts: 8,887	UV is a good water clarifer, it kills algae spores. But, many folks expect it to prevent ich, and other parasites, it doesn't. IMO & IME; the cost, constant maintenance, etc. isn't worth it. I'd bet that a high % of those in use aren't doing anything anyhow; because of flow, bulb, and dirty sleeve problems. __________________ If God didn't want us to eat animals, he wouldn't have made them out of meat. Steve Current Tank Info: 180, 2-240 FOWLRs, 240 reef

07/07/2012, 01:49 PM	#8
want1 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 29	i have been keeping a saltwater tank for about 5 years now. So by far I am no expert and I have never done a reef tank. However I have a 250 FOWLR tank and everytime i turn my UV off in the past my fish got sick could just be a right time right place kind of thing However I run my UV all the time and have great luck!

07/07/2012, 08:39 PM	#10
want1 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 29	i have had ich 4 times every time i moved my fish and tried the QT process like everyone says and then someone suggested try feeding them through it as long as they were eating and have had no trouble since i have also had one fight with fin rot

07/07/2012, 09:32 PM	#11
tmz ReefKeeping Mag staff Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: West Seneca NY Posts: 27,691	I have 4 uv sterilzers on the out of service shelf in my basement. haven't used them in years. They are over hyped for fish disease prevention and treament, imo and experience. __________________ Tom Current Tank Info: Tank of the Month , November 2011 : 600gal integrated system: 3 display tanks (120 g, 90g, 89g),several frag/grow out tanks, macroalgae refugia, cryptic zones. 40+ fish, seahorses, sps,lps,leathers, zoanthidae and non photosynthetic corals.

07/08/2012, 01:21 AM	#12
Roadki11 Registered Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Erie, PA Posts: 55	I used my uv when I had a bacteria bloom and the water got all green and cloudy. Running the uv for 2 days cleared it all up, although using better water would have prevented it from starting in the first place. I'll turn it on for a few hours a day just to be safe now. Just my 2 cents. __________________ 29g, perc clown pair, b/g chromis, bangaii, conch, mixed softies and zoos. Dreaming of a bigger tank. Current Tank Info: working on a new tank since moving

07/08/2012, 08:39 AM	#13
ken55 A wing and a prayer Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: SoChes Posts: 635	I used one on my first salt tank. I'm not sure if I got any benefit from it. I bought it after reading a magazine article about how great they were. Everything that could have been a benefit can also be explained away by another factor. My water was clear but I also ran carbon. I didn't have algea problems but I didn't have a phosphate problem either. My fish didn't get sick but mayby they weren't sick to begin with. Who knows? I don't. I left it off when I upgraded to the new tank. I haven't noticed any difference. Mayby it did give some benefits or mayby it didn't. Mine (like the others) now sits in a box in the garage. __________________ Current tank info: Last time I saw them they were leaning against a tree in my ex's backyard.

07/08/2012, 08:39 AM	#14
fishgate Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Damascus, MD Posts: 3,340	I'd get a 15 watt at least. They are effective more so for water clarity and algae control but also to a certain extent disease control. There is no more maintenance on them than any other filter, actually less. The one I have you can even change the bulb without turning off the pump or disconnecting anything. Bulbs should be changed annually at least. I run mine on during the day with the light and at night it cycles off (bulb only turns off, water continues to flow through the unit). Check replacement bulb availability and pricing first before making the decision on which one to get. FYI: Most require a separate powerhead/pump to flow water through them. __________________ 125RR in-wall, 40B Sump, CS180 BM Skimmer, ATI 4x80 watt, eheim 1262, custom wrap around rock wall, ReefKeeper Elite 120g in-wall, 40B Sump, PC 54wx4, Jabao DC-6000 (full siphon), future seahorse t Current Tank Info: 125g, 120g, 2x40b sumps, ATI 4x80 T5HO

07/08/2012, 02:36 PM	#16
reef4life07 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: New Jersey Posts: 480	I also have a uv that I don't use, I know people who have reef tanks that don't bother with it, and people who have fish only that do use it...Just save your money, as long as you keep on maintaining your tank, and equipment you'll be fine.