UV Sterilizer in an SPS tank? Opinions?

rocknut · 08/10/2007, 03:41 PM

After a recent outbreak of Ich, and a stubborn bloom of micro algae, I am looking at adding a UV sterilizer. Coming from the theory that was really popular about 5 years ago (all natural tanks: rock, sand, skimmer, light, and nothing else) I really donâ€™t know a whole lot about UV sterilizers other than the basics behind their operation. I have been treating this outbreak of Ich, which has been confined to one Kole Tang, with the addition of a cleaner shrimp, and soaking all food with Garlic extract. The results so far have been good, but I know that this isnâ€™t necessarily a long term solution.
I was really looking to get some opinions, and more information about operating a sterilizer specifically in an SPS tank. Obviously, my primary purpose would be to fight this current Ich outbreak, but also to help prevent any in the future. Also, being a three month old tank, I am still experiencing some micro algae blooms (that I know will run their course) but anything that can help combat them would also be welcome.
Are there any major drawbacks that I might not be aware of? Is it best to run this 24/7, or just part time?
Thanks in advance!
Rocky

Roy G. Biv · 08/10/2007, 08:32 PM

This has been a popular subject for the last few days. I am a firm believer of having one on every thank. However I learned early on that you shouldnt keep it on 24/7. There will always be ich present in the tank. Kind of like herpes. You may have it and you can't do anything about it, but you can treat or limit the number of outbreaks.

I have it on my system and found that at least for my tanks 72hrs at a time is best. When I notice a sign of ich, a fish scratching for instance, I'll turn it on for 3 days. It kills the waterborn ich before they get a chance to get on your fish. It aids in the fish getting rid of its own ich by limiting its exposure to it.

The UV will come with a chart for recommended flow rates for a % kill of certain bacteria/ich. The slower the better in my opinion. Also by using the UV in a 72 hr clip, the bulb will last almost forever vs 24/7.

rocknut · 08/10/2007, 10:19 PM

Pmolan,
Thanks for the info, that is exactly what I was looking for. So, you only turn it on when you see signs of Ich? Do you run it on any kind of schedule regardless (like 3 days every other week) of any signs of Ich? What negative effects did you see from running it 24/7? Thanks again!

craab · 08/10/2007, 10:29 PM

agree, only when you see the symptoms showing. Leave it off the rest of the time, especially with SPS coral in there. Kills benefiticial things as well.

aninjaatemyshoe · 08/10/2007, 11:02 PM

"agree, only when you see the symptoms showing. Leave it off the rest of the time, especially with SPS coral in there. Kills benefiticial things as well."

Honestly, this is such an over-rated drawback, if a drawback at all. This is what people assume because they figure that one must kills just about any little creature in the tank. UV sterilizers will only kill bacteria/parasites/etc that enter the water column and pass by them. Although it will take down the bacteria load in a tank, it will not wipe out the beneficial bacteria to the point where you are affecting the nitrification/denitrification taking place. As far as pods go, most people are not running UV sterilizers that are nearly strong enough to wipe them out. Phytoplankton will probably be affected, but who's system is capable of generating enough of its own phyto to sustain corals that depend upon it in the first place? A stronger case could be made that protein skimmers take out beneficial stuff.

SDguy · 08/10/2007, 11:26 PM

I ran one for 6 months during fish introductions (including a PBT). I saw no difference in my SPS during that time, and now. I'm still waiting for someone to explain to me exactly what these beneficial things that SPS need are that are being decimated by a UV unit....

Roy G. Biv · 08/11/2007, 07:23 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by rocknut
Pmolan,
Thanks for the info, that is exactly what I was looking for. So, you only turn it on when you see signs of Ich? Do you run it on any kind of schedule regardless (like 3 days every other week) of any signs of Ich? What negative effects did you see from running it 24/7? Thanks again!

I've read that bacteria/ich develope resistances against UV, sort of like a person being out in the sun. The human defense against the sun is getting tan. When I ran one of my tanks with constant UV, eventually I still had outbreaks with the UV on. Maybe this was due to the fact that the bulb was weak because of the constant on. Now I run it to keep balance in the tank. Just to knock things back a bit. Some say that the UV will kill pods as well.

aninjaatemyshoe · 08/11/2007, 11:59 AM

Sure it will kill pods, if you have one strong enough and running slowly enough. Point I'm trying to make is that some protein skimmers (esp. needlewheels) are probably much more of a threat to pods than your typical UV sterilizer.

ikaros · 08/11/2007, 12:16 PM

I have a uv on my tank and have never had any issues but i also dont run it all the time!

rocknut · 08/11/2007, 01:56 PM

Ok, here's another question. After reading as much as I can about this, it looks like a very slow flow rate (like 1x the tank volume each hour) is the most effective way to run these. If thats the case, that pretty much cancels out using the UV inline with a return pump. I'm assuming you would have to add a separate loop with a dedicated pump?

SDguy · 08/11/2007, 01:57 PM

Or just T off your return pump...

Roy G. Biv · 08/11/2007, 07:48 PM

I have it in the sump on a second loop.

josbur63 · 08/11/2007, 09:59 PM

I have my uv sterilizer running 24/7 in my 75 gallon,which has 10 sps pieces.All are doing excellent and growing faster than I was led to believe.I was under the impression sps needed extremely clean water,and what better way than to run a sterilizer.It is just another form of preventive medicine.

08/10/2007, 03:41 PM	#1
rocknut Rocky Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Gilbert, Arizona Posts: 822	UV Sterilizer in an SPS tank? Opinions? After a recent outbreak of Ich, and a stubborn bloom of micro algae, I am looking at adding a UV sterilizer. Coming from the theory that was really popular about 5 years ago (all natural tanks: rock, sand, skimmer, light, and nothing else) I really donâ€™t know a whole lot about UV sterilizers other than the basics behind their operation. I have been treating this outbreak of Ich, which has been confined to one Kole Tang, with the addition of a cleaner shrimp, and soaking all food with Garlic extract. The results so far have been good, but I know that this isnâ€™t necessarily a long term solution. I was really looking to get some opinions, and more information about operating a sterilizer specifically in an SPS tank. Obviously, my primary purpose would be to fight this current Ich outbreak, but also to help prevent any in the future. Also, being a three month old tank, I am still experiencing some micro algae blooms (that I know will run their course) but anything that can help combat them would also be welcome. Are there any major drawbacks that I might not be aware of? Is it best to run this 24/7, or just part time? Thanks in advance! Rocky __________________ "I ain't no physakist---but I knows what matters..." -Popeye the Sailorman Current Tank Info: Envision 150 gallon, ATI 8x54w, 30" Venturi skimmer, Neptune Apex flow and dosing

08/10/2007, 10:19 PM	#3
rocknut Rocky Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Gilbert, Arizona Posts: 822	Pmolan, Thanks for the info, that is exactly what I was looking for. So, you only turn it on when you see signs of Ich? Do you run it on any kind of schedule regardless (like 3 days every other week) of any signs of Ich? What negative effects did you see from running it 24/7? Thanks again! __________________ "I ain't no physakist---but I knows what matters..." -Popeye the Sailorman Current Tank Info: Envision 150 gallon, ATI 8x54w, 30" Venturi skimmer, Neptune Apex flow and dosing

08/10/2007, 11:02 PM	#5
aninjaatemyshoe Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Dallas, Texas Posts: 2,333	"agree, only when you see the symptoms showing. Leave it off the rest of the time, especially with SPS coral in there. Kills benefiticial things as well." Honestly, this is such an over-rated drawback, if a drawback at all. This is what people assume because they figure that one must kills just about any little creature in the tank. UV sterilizers will only kill bacteria/parasites/etc that enter the water column and pass by them. Although it will take down the bacteria load in a tank, it will not wipe out the beneficial bacteria to the point where you are affecting the nitrification/denitrification taking place. As far as pods go, most people are not running UV sterilizers that are nearly strong enough to wipe them out. Phytoplankton will probably be affected, but who's system is capable of generating enough of its own phyto to sustain corals that depend upon it in the first place? A stronger case could be made that protein skimmers take out beneficial stuff. __________________ You are not brought upon this world to "get it"

08/10/2007, 11:26 PM	#6
SDguy Fish heads unite! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: San Diego Posts: 23,384	I ran one for 6 months during fish introductions (including a PBT). I saw no difference in my SPS during that time, and now. I'm still waiting for someone to explain to me exactly what these beneficial things that SPS need are that are being decimated by a UV unit.... __________________ Peter SDMAS member Marine tanks since 1989. ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸><((((º> ·´¯`·.¸. , . .·´¯`·.. ><((((º> Current Tank Info: 240g butterfly and angel FOWLR. 15g QT.

08/11/2007, 11:59 AM	#8
aninjaatemyshoe Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Dallas, Texas Posts: 2,333	Sure it will kill pods, if you have one strong enough and running slowly enough. Point I'm trying to make is that some protein skimmers (esp. needlewheels) are probably much more of a threat to pods than your typical UV sterilizer. __________________ You are not brought upon this world to "get it"

08/10/2007, 08:32 PM	#2
Roy G. Biv Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: New Jersey Posts: 3,646	This has been a popular subject for the last few days. I am a firm believer of having one on every thank. However I learned early on that you shouldnt keep it on 24/7. There will always be ich present in the tank. Kind of like herpes. You may have it and you can't do anything about it, but you can treat or limit the number of outbreaks. I have it on my system and found that at least for my tanks 72hrs at a time is best. When I notice a sign of ich, a fish scratching for instance, I'll turn it on for 3 days. It kills the waterborn ich before they get a chance to get on your fish. It aids in the fish getting rid of its own ich by limiting its exposure to it. The UV will come with a chart for recommended flow rates for a % kill of certain bacteria/ich. The slower the better in my opinion. Also by using the UV in a 72 hr clip, the bulb will last almost forever vs 24/7.

08/10/2007, 10:29 PM	#4
craab Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 444	agree, only when you see the symptoms showing. Leave it off the rest of the time, especially with SPS coral in there. Kills benefiticial things as well.

08/11/2007, 12:16 PM	#9
ikaros Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: chicagoland/nw indiana Posts: 68	I have a uv on my tank and have never had any issues but i also dont run it all the time!

08/11/2007, 01:56 PM	#10
rocknut Rocky Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Gilbert, Arizona Posts: 822	Ok, here's another question. After reading as much as I can about this, it looks like a very slow flow rate (like 1x the tank volume each hour) is the most effective way to run these. If thats the case, that pretty much cancels out using the UV inline with a return pump. I'm assuming you would have to add a separate loop with a dedicated pump? __________________ "I ain't no physakist---but I knows what matters..." -Popeye the Sailorman Current Tank Info: Envision 150 gallon, ATI 8x54w, 30" Venturi skimmer, Neptune Apex flow and dosing

08/11/2007, 01:57 PM	#11
SDguy Fish heads unite! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: San Diego Posts: 23,384	Or just T off your return pump... __________________ Peter SDMAS member Marine tanks since 1989. ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸><((((º> ·´¯`·.¸. , . .·´¯`·.. ><((((º> Current Tank Info: 240g butterfly and angel FOWLR. 15g QT.

08/11/2007, 07:48 PM	#12
Roy G. Biv Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: New Jersey Posts: 3,646	I have it in the sump on a second loop.

08/11/2007, 09:59 PM	#13
josbur63 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Cincinnati,Ohio Posts: 135	I have my uv sterilizer running 24/7 in my 75 gallon,which has 10 sps pieces.All are doing excellent and growing faster than I was led to believe.I was under the impression sps needed extremely clean water,and what better way than to run a sterilizer.It is just another form of preventive medicine.