Can I run a UV sterilizer with Algae Scrubber?

[foredababy]

I was wondering since the algae is growing on the screen and isn't passing through the sterilizer.....and the sterilizer doesn't alter nitrates and phosphates then the algae should still grow right?

[foredababy]

Any thoughts would be helpful

[Sounds Fishy]

One benefit of a sterilizer is it's ability to help control unwanted algae in the display aquarium,but that is because it is treating only the algae passing through it ,that is floating in the water,preventing it from returning to the DT.You are IMO correct that it should not affect your scrubber.

[foredababy]

My scrubber is growing algae and my nitrates are 5 ppm and phosphates are 0.04 ppm. The scrubber is only 5 weeks old. I'm just wondering if I'm slowing the growth of algae with the sterilizer.

[foredababy]

Originally Posted by Sounds Fishy

One benefit of a sterilizer is it's ability to help control unwanted algae in the display aquarium,but that is because it is treating only the algae passing through it ,that is floating in the water,preventing it from returning to the DT.You are IMO correct that it should not affect your scrubber.

Thx for you input fishy👍

[cougareyes]

They are both useful tools and your algae scrubber is going to grow algae depending on the nutrients available; less algae just means less nutrients. I don't think the uv sterlizer will cause a negative impact, if your no3 and po4 are minimum and you have no nuisance in your display, you're gold.

[foredababy]

Originally Posted by cougareyes

They are both useful tools and your algae scrubber is going to grow algae depending on the nutrients available; less algae just means less nutrients. I don't think the uv sterlizer will cause a negative impact, if your no3 and po4 are minimum and you have no nuisance in your display, you're gold.

Thx CougarEyes for the response. No nuisance algae in the display. I'm going to continue to run the sterilizer and watch the algae growth on the scrubber and NO3 and PO4 levels.

[PIPSTER]

I run both. They have zero effect on each other.

My UV sterilizer keeps the water from clouding with bacteria.
My ATS keeps nuisance algae down in the display tank.

[foredababy]

Originally Posted by PIPSTER

I run both. They have zero effect on each other.

My UV sterilizer keeps the water from clouding with bacteria.
My ATS keeps nuisance algae down in the display tank.

Thx so much. It makes sense but I couldn't find any info out there on this matter. In fact, the few people who were brave enough to talk about it (that I could find browsing blogs and forums) advised to turn it off. Like you said, my water is also crystal clear bc of the sterilizer and my DT has little algae , I believe because my ATS is mopping up the phosphates and nitrates. Thx again for your feedback.