UV stralizer

Brandon.Helvie · 12/26/2012, 08:11 PM

I've read that a uv steralizr plays a large role in keeping clear water for the DT. However, I have not read anything about when to start using a uv sterilizer. I would think that you would not want to use it immediately after setting up a new tank and going through the cycling process as it would kill of beneficial bacteria. Would I be correct in assuming so or am I reading to far I to things?

gone fishin · 12/26/2012, 09:18 PM

IMO UV sterilizers are a waste of money for what they accomplish. They are usually not for beginning people. They require a specific size andfairly exact flow to contact time in the tube to be of any effect at all. I believe maintaining chemistry and WC will get you what you need. Just my 2 cents fwiw

thegrun · 12/26/2012, 09:57 PM

I would guess that at least 90% of us do not use them. IMHO they mask problems but rarely cure them.

sponger0 · 12/27/2012, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gone fishin

IMO UV sterilizers are a waste of money for what they accomplish.

Agreed. I keep my water clean without any expensive equipment. Amazing what water changes can take care of. But people would rather spend tons of money to avoid it.

MrTuskfish · 12/27/2012, 09:17 AM

Yeah, save your money. LFS love to push UV. I'd bet for every UV unit being used, there a dozen in junk boxes.

hossa81 · 12/27/2012, 10:57 AM

I use a 50 buck one in my 50 gallon after i had parasitic problems and bacterial problems. Not sure if it helped because all my fished died and the tank was empty, but i will run it in my sump until the bulb dies. Don't think they are worth 200 bucks for the good ones.

a.browning · 12/27/2012, 11:21 AM

I would not recommend a UV sterilizer. It will NOT eradicate disease, but may help keep it from spreading as quickly. It may clear up some algae issues, but it is just a bandaid fix. Algae doesn't grow because you don't have a UV, it grows because your nutrient levels are out of line. Invest in some good filtration and lighting, and skip the UV. QT all new arrivals to eliminate disease, and keep nitrate and phosphate levels at zero to eliminate algae. Run carbon/filter socks to increase water clarity, and you're good to go.

Painted skin · 12/27/2012, 12:31 PM

Well I'm not going to debate whether you should or shouldn't get one, because this topic has been talked about a lot in the pass. IMO, it is matter of choice and preference and just like reactors you need to find the right size and right flow in order for it to work properly.

I have used a cheap 9W UV in the pass for a 150gal for over a year with 25% water change every 2 weeks and 50% every 2 months; did I notice any difference in water clarity with or without it? Honestly no and keep in mind my tank is FOWLR. Then in the last 3 months I went and bought an 18W turbo twist spent $95.00 which IMO is not expensive. What I have notice is a huge improvement on water clarity and I was really impress with how clear the water is and so I was really curious how much more clearer would it be to run ozone. So I bought an ORP controller, ozone generator and a reactor and the only thing I have hooked up is ORP controller which is just set to monitor at this point, because the rest of the stuff is still sitting in the box doing nothing. As of to this day I'm getting 351mv and never seen my water this clear even with all the years I've been in FW and SW hobby with water changes. Now I'm thinking I might have wasted money on buying the ozone setup, because it looks like I've accomplished my goal with out it (ozone).

As for diseases it will not eradicate or sterilize your tank, but will help to keep it at bay as a preventive measure if the it's the right unit with the right flow. It is a proven fact most pathogen with the right exposure time to UV it will kill it or reduce it's reproduction. To what extent I couldn't tell you, I mainly use it for water clarity.

wooden_reefer · 12/27/2012, 01:48 PM

The UV is more a disease control device against bacterial and viral infection in fish, more than for DT water clarity.

It is poorly understood and often wrongly set up.

I will always use UV to reduce the chance of bacterial and viral infection.

I think it reduces the incidents of bacterial and viral infections by at least 50%, more according to my experience, may be 80%.

The UV is necessary for me.

MrTuskfish · 12/27/2012, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wooden_reefer

The UV is more a disease control device against bacterial and viral infection in fish, more than for DT water clarity.

It is poorly understood and often wrongly set up.

I will always use UV to reduce the chance of bacterial and viral infection.

I think it reduces the incidents of bacterial and viral infections by at least 50%, more according to my experience, may be 80%.

The UV is necessary for me.

UV used like this sure won't hurt anything and may catch some dangerous organisms. IMO & IME; it seems that better collecting, handling and shipping have greatly reduced bacteria and virus problems greatly over the past 10 years or so. I've talked to a couple of online dealers and they say the same thing. I think the know-how to properly use and maintain a UV unit usually makes it impractical; especially for new hobbyists.But again, it won't hurt; unless the UV is owner thinks the UV will eliminate ich , and similar parasites. Its very common for folks to run UV, while delaying real parasite treatment; with obvious results.

wooden_reefer · 12/27/2012, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrTuskfish

UV used like this sure won't hurt anything and may catch some dangerous organisms. IMO & IME; it seems that better collecting, handling and shipping have greatly reduced bacteria and virus problems greatly over the past 10 years or so. I've talked to a couple of online dealers and they say the same thing. I think the know-how to properly use and maintain a UV unit usually makes it impractical; especially for new hobbyists.But again, it won't hurt; unless the UV is owner thinks the UV will eliminate ich , and similar parasites. Its very common for folks to run UV, while delaying real parasite treatment; with obvious results.

When you have a closed system of fish from different parts of the world, waterborne bacteria and viruses can concentrate to abnormal numbers.

A means to reduce these waterborne pathogens is expected to be helpful and I think it certainly is.

wooden_reefer · 12/27/2012, 06:13 PM

Yes, many people have unrealistic expectation with the UV, do not know how to set it up, and do not appreciate the end result.

The UV sized for bacterial and viral control of waterborne pathogens has no impact on ich. Ich is another consideration.

Many people run the UV at too fast a water flow.

many people simply do not have strong interest in fish and think of it has a means to clearer water in a reef tank.

many people do not understand the real aim of the UV.

many people lament too much on the limitations of the UV.

The UV is very important even with its limitations.

It has no effect on pathogens that are not waterborne and it degrades certain drugs needed to treat infection it seeks to prevent.

But I will never do without it.

12/26/2012, 08:11 PM	#1
Brandon.Helvie Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Syracuse Posts: 64	UV stralizer I've read that a uv steralizr plays a large role in keeping clear water for the DT. However, I have not read anything about when to start using a uv sterilizer. I would think that you would not want to use it immediately after setting up a new tank and going through the cycling process as it would kill of beneficial bacteria. Would I be correct in assuming so or am I reading to far I to things?

12/26/2012, 09:18 PM	#2
gone fishin Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Wyocena Wi Posts: 6,936	IMO UV sterilizers are a waste of money for what they accomplish. They are usually not for beginning people. They require a specific size andfairly exact flow to contact time in the tube to be of any effect at all. I believe maintaining chemistry and WC will get you what you need. Just my 2 cents fwiw __________________ Tony Current Tank Info: 180gal DT, BM NAC77 skimmer,3 Maxspect razors, Maxspect Gyre 150, 30g QT

12/27/2012, 09:17 AM	#5
MrTuskfish Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: The Wild Blue Yonder Posts: 8,887	Yeah, save your money. LFS love to push UV. I'd bet for every UV unit being used, there a dozen in junk boxes. __________________ 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

12/27/2012, 10:57 AM	#6
hossa81 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Geneva,IL Posts: 900	I use a 50 buck one in my 50 gallon after i had parasitic problems and bacterial problems. Not sure if it helped because all my fished died and the tank was empty, but i will run it in my sump until the bulb dies. Don't think they are worth 200 bucks for the good ones. __________________ Enjoy life, there's plenty of time to be dead. Current Tank Info: 180 FOWLR, 29 BioCube

12/27/2012, 11:21 AM	#7
a.browning Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 975	I would not recommend a UV sterilizer. It will NOT eradicate disease, but may help keep it from spreading as quickly. It may clear up some algae issues, but it is just a bandaid fix. Algae doesn't grow because you don't have a UV, it grows because your nutrient levels are out of line. Invest in some good filtration and lighting, and skip the UV. QT all new arrivals to eliminate disease, and keep nitrate and phosphate levels at zero to eliminate algae. Run carbon/filter socks to increase water clarity, and you're good to go. __________________ 75 SPS, 80 & 45 Frag Tank, 40B Leather Tank

12/26/2012, 09:57 PM	#3
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	I would guess that at least 90% of us do not use them. IMHO they mask problems but rarely cure them.

12/27/2012, 12:31 PM	#8
Painted skin Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Canada Posts: 679	Well I'm not going to debate whether you should or shouldn't get one, because this topic has been talked about a lot in the pass. IMO, it is matter of choice and preference and just like reactors you need to find the right size and right flow in order for it to work properly. I have used a cheap 9W UV in the pass for a 150gal for over a year with 25% water change every 2 weeks and 50% every 2 months; did I notice any difference in water clarity with or without it? Honestly no and keep in mind my tank is FOWLR. Then in the last 3 months I went and bought an 18W turbo twist spent $95.00 which IMO is not expensive. What I have notice is a huge improvement on water clarity and I was really impress with how clear the water is and so I was really curious how much more clearer would it be to run ozone. So I bought an ORP controller, ozone generator and a reactor and the only thing I have hooked up is ORP controller which is just set to monitor at this point, because the rest of the stuff is still sitting in the box doing nothing. As of to this day I'm getting 351mv and never seen my water this clear even with all the years I've been in FW and SW hobby with water changes. Now I'm thinking I might have wasted money on buying the ozone setup, because it looks like I've accomplished my goal with out it (ozone). As for diseases it will not eradicate or sterilize your tank, but will help to keep it at bay as a preventive measure if the it's the right unit with the right flow. It is a proven fact most pathogen with the right exposure time to UV it will kill it or reduce it's reproduction. To what extent I couldn't tell you, I mainly use it for water clarity.

12/27/2012, 01:48 PM	#9
wooden_reefer Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 4,670	The UV is more a disease control device against bacterial and viral infection in fish, more than for DT water clarity. It is poorly understood and often wrongly set up. I will always use UV to reduce the chance of bacterial and viral infection. I think it reduces the incidents of bacterial and viral infections by at least 50%, more according to my experience, may be 80%. The UV is necessary for me.

12/27/2012, 06:13 PM	#12
wooden_reefer Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 4,670	Yes, many people have unrealistic expectation with the UV, do not know how to set it up, and do not appreciate the end result. The UV sized for bacterial and viral control of waterborne pathogens has no impact on ich. Ich is another consideration. Many people run the UV at too fast a water flow. many people simply do not have strong interest in fish and think of it has a means to clearer water in a reef tank. many people do not understand the real aim of the UV. many people lament too much on the limitations of the UV. The UV is very important even with its limitations. It has no effect on pathogens that are not waterborne and it degrades certain drugs needed to treat infection it seeks to prevent. But I will never do without it.