UV Sterilizer and/or GFO & Carbon Reactors?

[rkesling]

Is there an advantage/disadvantage to running all 3? Is there any benefit? Is one (Sterilizer or UV) better than the other if only one of them is necessary?

Tank is 45g

[Orcrone]

They're different beasts. GFO will remove phosphates from your system. Carbon removes organic compounds (I believe). A UV sterilizer can kill parasites & bacteria. However, in order for a UV sterilizer to be effective the organism must pass through the device and it must be properly sized, meaning the proper flow rate and wattage.

I have both GFO and carbon in a reactor which I believe is a good thing. I purchased a UV sterilizer and use it because I have it, but I'm not convinced of it's benefits.

[rkesling]

I appreciate the input. I am just wondering if the UV is worth the money.

[billdogg]

IMO, a UV is not needed in most tanks. It CANNOT prevent or cure an Ich outbreak because the lifecycle of the Ich parasite includes a stage where the cycts are on the substrate/rocks, and even if it was just a free swimming organism, as mentioned above, UV can only kill what passes through it. Spend your $$$ on something better!

I prefer my carbon and GFO in seperate reactors because they tend to need changed at different intervals, and work best with different flow rates.

[Orcrone]

Originally Posted by billdogg

IMO, a UV is not needed in most tanks. It CANNOT prevent or cure an Ich outbreak because the lifecycle of the Ich parasite includes a stage where the cycts are on the substrate/rocks, and even if it was just a free swimming organism, as mentioned above, UV can only kill what passes through it. Spend your $$$ on something better!

I prefer my carbon and GFO in seperate reactors because they tend to need changed at different intervals, and work best with different flow rates.

I agree with Billdogg. I'd probably forego my UV Sterilizer if I had it to do again. Might even consider selling it one day. I also agree about carbon & GFO in separate reactors but my stand is getting spaced challenged so I put the GFO in first separated by a foam disk & followed by carbon. Allows me to change the carbon while leaving the GFO in tact.

[tkeracer619]

Originally Posted by rkesling

I am just wondering if the UV is worth the money.

Nope not really.

[UnoZeus]

+ 1 for GFO and carbon.

UV is not necessary. There are many other things you would rather spend your money on.

[rkesling]

Thanks everyone for saving me money!

[aufo8mycat]

I believe it is well worth the money!!!! sure it may not kill or prevent itch.... but it will improve water quality, increase oxygen levels and help increase redox levels, all of which will make for healthier water and healthy water leads to healthy fish, a healthy fish wont get itch and if it does will have a far better chance of kicking it with out fatality!

here is an interesting read for the benifits of a good UV system UV FACTS

[tkeracer619]

Originally Posted by aufo8mycat

here is an interesting read for the benifits of a good UV system UV FACTS

There is some good info in that link but there is also a lot of non scientific info as well. It is almost too long and mixed making it difficult to get to the bottom. It is the first article I have seen that says the "turbo twist" is a gimmick. It is absolutely a gimmick. In fact, it reduces contact time! I disagree about the wiper though. Obviously if you never use the wiper it won't help but if you wipe it daily you will keep the quarts cleaner longer.