UV sterylizers

Histicku · 03/28/2008, 03:36 PM

Hey guys what are the advantages or disadvantages of using a uv sreyilizer on a reef tank. I have fish only and I am getting really bored with It as i am watching my brothers tank flourish with awesome growth. I see some guys use them and others don't.

bertoni · 03/28/2008, 03:39 PM

To Reef Central

This question comes up a lot. The UV sterilizer can help make water clearer in some cases, and can be useful in handling a phytoplankton or bacterial bloom. I don't think they do anything else that's useful.

Histicku · 03/28/2008, 03:50 PM

Do you have one on yout tank?????
Thanx Jonathan

bertoni · 03/28/2008, 04:45 PM

No, I've never thought they were worth the money.

ev1016 · 03/28/2008, 06:05 PM

It seems to me that you would be killing off more beneficial things than unwanted things as reef tanks are a living system. My instinct was that keeping one on hand for outbreaks might not be bad, but not to use one constantly.

Aquarist007 · 03/28/2008, 07:24 PM

I had one for six months--came with the tank. Removed it when I set up my fuge and phosbane reactors.
The duel combination of running phosban and carbon does an equal if not better job to water quality and curbing algae then a uv sterilizer
At 70 dollars compared to 250 bucks, that's a bargain

Aquarist007 · 03/28/2008, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ev1016
It seems to me that you would be killing off more beneficial things than unwanted things as reef tanks are a living system. My instinct was that keeping one on hand for outbreaks might not be bad, but not to use one constantly.

one of the biggest problems with them is that they don't pass that much water through them to be effective --and its very easy to increase the water column--with a sump, fuge etc etc

Successfully quaranting all new purchases is probably better insurance for outbreaks in the DT.

Histicku · 04/02/2008, 10:20 PM

I was thinking phosban most likely.............thanx for all the input guys been much help with my choice.

tmz · 04/02/2008, 10:58 PM

This discussion never seems to end.
I think they do what jonathan bertoni said they do. I do not think they are harmful in any way.
I use them on my tanks and I like the results. I also use carbon which does not do the same things. I cling to the notion that uv radiation has a beneficial effect on pathenogens in terms of their density and virulence
.As for price some of the Odyssea models are relatively reasonable. I just installed a 36w unit @ 59.95.. it has been running for 2 and a half months without a problem.

Aquarist007 · 04/03/2008, 07:58 AM

my concern is for sps tanks where the coral relies on a high level of phytoplankton(aka algae) in the water column. I would not want to run UV is this case.
Tom, your system is huge---why would you run a little 36watt uv on it as opposed to a much bigger one?

tmz · 04/03/2008, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by capn_hylinur
my concern is for sps tanks where the coral relies on a high level of phytoplankton(aka algae) in the water column. I would not want to run UV is this case.
Tom, your system is huge---why would you run a little 36watt uv on it as opposed to a much bigger one?

Scott, I run one on each of my dispaly tanks in a closed loop to each tank.120g/40w,90g/18w,89g/36w. I don't think sps eat phyto plankton but they may.I still have some in any event not all of it passes through the sterilizer.Low nutrient, good flow and clear water with high light clacium,alkalinity and a good level of magneseum work for me.

Aquarist007 · 04/03/2008, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by tmz
Scott, I run one on each of my dispaly tanks in a closed loop to each tank.120g/40w,90g/18w,89g/36w. I don't think sps eat phyto plankton but they may.I still have some in any event not all of it passes through the sterilizer.Low nutrient, good flow and clear water with high light clacium,alkalinity and a good level of magneseum work for me.

thanks Tom---we should start a thread on low nutrient levels in the water vs high nutrient levels--keeping it separate from uv sterilzers--because like you stated the argument on their effectiveness or not is becoming very stale

appreciate your input on this thread if you would not mind:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...readid=1349443

inachu · 04/03/2008, 10:07 AM

Using UV light for people who do not use sumps and refugiums like me is a good thing. But once the tank environment is healthy like sand life and rock life and everything is sound then I would not use one until an emergency.

inachu · 04/03/2008, 10:08 AM

Why do you use 2 Phosban reactors?

because of the size of your tank?

Quote:

Originally posted by capn_hylinur
I had one for six months--came with the tank. Removed it when I set up my fuge and phosbane reactors.
The duel combination of running phosban and carbon does an equal if not better job to water quality and curbing algae then a uv sterilizer
At 70 dollars compared to 250 bucks, that's a bargain

Michael · 04/03/2008, 10:12 AM

i have researched quite abit concerning uvs, a lot of comments from people who have them is that they are not sure if they are making a difference to their aquarium, based on those comments the jury is still out as far as im concerned, they may be useful but i personally dont think essential, a lot of aquarists on rc from the threads i have seen think the same, so imho they are probably ok but not a must have item

Aquarist007 · 04/03/2008, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by inachu
Why do you use 2 Phosban reactors?

because of the size of your tank?

One is phosban and one is for running carbon.
If you run the carbon in a reactor the water is forced through the entire media rather then being able to go around the outside like the bag in the sump method. This allows more surface area of the media to be in contact with the water column.

tmz · 04/03/2008, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by capn_hylinur
thanks Tom---we should start a thread on low nutrient levels in the water vs high nutrient levels--keeping it separate from uv sterilzers--because like you stated the argument on their effectiveness or not is becoming very stale

appreciate your input on this thread if you would not mind:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...readid=1349443

I've been following the thread. Lot's of good discussion. Lot's of ways to do a refugium..
TomI did participate see page 2

03/28/2008, 03:36 PM	#1
Histicku Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Arlington Heights Il Posts: 14	UV sterylizers Hey guys what are the advantages or disadvantages of using a uv sreyilizer on a reef tank. I have fish only and I am getting really bored with It as i am watching my brothers tank flourish with awesome growth. I see some guys use them and others don't.

03/28/2008, 03:39 PM	#2
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	*To Reef Central* This question comes up a lot. The UV sterilizer can help make water clearer in some cases, and can be useful in handling a phytoplankton or bacterial bloom. I don't think they do anything else that's useful. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

03/28/2008, 04:45 PM	#4
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	No, I've never thought they were worth the money. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

03/28/2008, 07:24 PM	#6
Aquarist007 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Hamilton, Canada Posts: 28,240 Blog Entries: 1	I had one for six months--came with the tank. Removed it when I set up my fuge and phosbane reactors. The duel combination of running phosban and carbon does an equal if not better job to water quality and curbing algae then a uv sterilizer At 70 dollars compared to 250 bucks, that's a bargain __________________ I prefer my substrates stirred but not shaken Current Tank Info: 150gal long mixed reef, 90gal sump, 60 gal refugium with 200 lbs live rock

04/02/2008, 10:58 PM	#9
tmz ReefKeeping Mag staff Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: West Seneca NY Posts: 27,691	This discussion never seems to end. I think they do what jonathan bertoni said they do. I do not think they are harmful in any way. I use them on my tanks and I like the results. I also use carbon which does not do the same things. I cling to the notion that uv radiation has a beneficial effect on pathenogens in terms of their density and virulence .As for price some of the Odyssea models are relatively reasonable. I just installed a 36w unit @ 59.95.. it has been running for 2 and a half months without a problem. __________________ 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.

03/28/2008, 03:50 PM	#3
Histicku Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Arlington Heights Il Posts: 14	Do you have one on yout tank????? Thanx Jonathan

03/28/2008, 06:05 PM	#5
ev1016 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Chicago Suburbs Posts: 86	It seems to me that you would be killing off more beneficial things than unwanted things as reef tanks are a living system. My instinct was that keeping one on hand for outbreaks might not be bad, but not to use one constantly.

04/02/2008, 10:20 PM	#8
Histicku Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Arlington Heights Il Posts: 14	I was thinking phosban most likely.............thanx for all the input guys been much help with my choice.

04/03/2008, 07:58 AM	#10
Aquarist007 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Hamilton, Canada Posts: 28,240 Blog Entries: 1	my concern is for sps tanks where the coral relies on a high level of phytoplankton(aka algae) in the water column. I would not want to run UV is this case. Tom, your system is huge---why would you run a little 36watt uv on it as opposed to a much bigger one? __________________ I prefer my substrates stirred but not shaken Current Tank Info: 150gal long mixed reef, 90gal sump, 60 gal refugium with 200 lbs live rock

04/03/2008, 10:07 AM	#13
inachu Moved On Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Maryland, metro area Posts: 1,219	Using UV light for people who do not use sumps and refugiums like me is a good thing. But once the tank environment is healthy like sand life and rock life and everything is sound then I would not use one until an emergency.

04/03/2008, 10:12 AM	#15
Michael NTTH Rookie Help Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Gloucester, England,UK Posts: 7,808 Blog Entries: 6	i have researched quite abit concerning uvs, a lot of comments from people who have them is that they are not sure if they are making a difference to their aquarium, based on those comments the jury is still out as far as im concerned, they may be useful but i personally dont think essential, a lot of aquarists on rc from the threads i have seen think the same, so imho they are probably ok but not a must have item __________________ Don't be afraid to ask questions, we in the new to the hobby are here to help you [For My Tank Spec,Photo Album,Articles and website, click on my name] MY Very Kindest and Warmest Regards , MIKE Current Tank Info: I have a 92 gal Corner Tank, and way too many pieces of equipment to list really, (proud member of the reef central corner club)