Constant UV sterilizer and ozone for a reef

karimwassef · 05/09/2015, 11:36 AM

Does anyone run one or both continuously on a reef? Any downsides?

slief · 05/09/2015, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by karimwassef

Does anyone run one or both continuously on a reef? Any downsides?

I run my UV 24/7. I've never seen a downside. I have ozone plumbed to a dedicated ozone reactor but have only used in when I felt it was needed. I generally have very respectable ORP numbers so I don't feel it's needed on my system but it's there in case of emergency.

billsreef · 05/09/2015, 05:16 PM

I like a low rate of ozone fed into a protein skimmer, with a controller to operate the ozone and prevent overdose

UV I only use on multiple tank set ups where I'm looking to create a sterile barrier between tanks on the same system, as well as some specialized culture/lab set ups. For a home reef tank, I don't use UV.

karimwassef · 05/09/2015, 05:17 PM

Is there a downside to UV though? If you have it, why wouldn't you use it?

ca1ore · 05/09/2015, 09:26 PM

I think the downside to UV is that it does nothing and you simply waste electricity. However, I run one, just on the off chance that it helps; and it 'isolates' my frag tank from the display.

lhm nole · 05/09/2015, 11:27 PM

I run one and would do a tank without one either

billsreef · 05/10/2015, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by karimwassef

Is there a downside to UV though? If you have it, why wouldn't you use it?

Cuts back on pod and bacterioplankton populations that help feed coral, while at the same time not being sufficient to truly help with disease issues within a single tank set up. Also paying the electric bill, buying new bulbs and quartz sleeves, one more piece of equipment to maintain ($$$)...and for minimal (if any) benefit in a single tank set up.

karimwassef · 05/10/2015, 09:48 AM

At low flow, high power, I'm using it to successfully beat back a dino infestation.

05/09/2015, 11:36 AM	#1
karimwassef Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 11,033	Constant UV sterilizer and ozone for a reef Does anyone run one or both continuously on a reef? Any downsides?

05/09/2015, 05:16 PM	#3
billsreef Moderator 10 & Over Club Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Long Island, NY/North Miami Posts: 36,538	I like a low rate of ozone fed into a protein skimmer, with a controller to operate the ozone and prevent overdose UV I only use on multiple tank set ups where I'm looking to create a sterile barrier between tanks on the same system, as well as some specialized culture/lab set ups. For a home reef tank, I don't use UV. __________________ Bill "LOL, well I have no brain apparently. " - dc (Debi) Current Tank Info: Far too many tanks according to my wife, LOL.

05/09/2015, 09:26 PM	#5
ca1ore Grizzled & Cynical Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Stamford, CT Posts: 17,319	I think the downside to UV is that it does nothing and you simply waste electricity. However, I run one, just on the off chance that it helps; and it 'isolates' my frag tank from the display. __________________ Simon Got back into the hobby ..... planned to keep it simple ..... yeah, right ..... clearly I need a new plan! Pet peeve: anemones host clowns; clowns do not host anemones! Current Tank Info: 450 Reef; 120 refugium; 60 Frag Tank, 30 Introduction tank; multiple QTs

05/09/2015, 05:17 PM	#4
karimwassef Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 11,033	Is there a downside to UV though? If you have it, why wouldn't you use it?

05/09/2015, 11:27 PM	#6
lhm nole Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 1,199	I run one and would do a tank without one either

05/10/2015, 09:48 AM	#8
karimwassef Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 11,033	At low flow, high power, I'm using it to successfully beat back a dino infestation.