UV use? do you or don't you

Borchers · 05/02/2011, 11:59 AM

So here is question.

So do you or don't you run a UV sterilizer on your reef tanks and if you do is it constant or run on a timer. I recently picked up a 25 Watt Aqua UV setup and planned on running it on my tank, But then I started thinking about how this may hinder beneficial bacteria and live foods created by the tank and filtration.

I am setting up a 120 Gallon Reef with about 140lbs live rock and 100lbs live sand. I am running a EuroReef CS6 with dolphin pump and 2 TLF media reactors. I have a custom Refugium/Sump with Live Sand, Macro algae and Filter socks. Lighting is dual 250 Watt MH with VHO and LED actinics

Flow is provided by 2 MP40's and 2 #4 Hydors. Return from a Rio Hyper flow #20 and Sqwid wave maker. Top off is by a JBJ Auto with ready made Kalkwasser mix.

My Refugium will be stocked with all sorts of Live foods and house A variety of macro algae with a 4 inch mixed bed of Live Sand and Miracle muds. I don't want to kill what helps feed my tank because as well as stocking corals I want to stock a few Anthia's and Wrasses that are plankton feeders.

I hope that this is enough to go off of to help answer my question.
Any Help would be awesome.

tkeracer619 · 05/02/2011, 12:50 PM

Im in the no uv camp. A 25w UV does next to nothing when it comes to marine tanks.

likemike99 · 05/02/2011, 12:54 PM

I run a Gamma 40W on my 75 G tank. I run it 24/7 and skim 24/7.

likemike99 · 05/02/2011, 12:55 PM

and my mandarin is nice and plump.

fote03 · 05/02/2011, 01:00 PM

I dont run one. But i have heard that its a really good idea in a quarantine tanks. Just remember to replace the bulbs.

05/02/2011, 11:59 AM	#1
Borchers Reefer Who needs Help!!! Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Woodland Posts: 3,359	UV use? do you or don't you So here is question. So do you or don't you run a UV sterilizer on your reef tanks and if you do is it constant or run on a timer. I recently picked up a 25 Watt Aqua UV setup and planned on running it on my tank, But then I started thinking about how this may hinder beneficial bacteria and live foods created by the tank and filtration. I am setting up a 120 Gallon Reef with about 140lbs live rock and 100lbs live sand. I am running a EuroReef CS6 with dolphin pump and 2 TLF media reactors. I have a custom Refugium/Sump with Live Sand, Macro algae and Filter socks. Lighting is dual 250 Watt MH with VHO and LED actinics Flow is provided by 2 MP40's and 2 #4 Hydors. Return from a Rio Hyper flow #20 and Sqwid wave maker. Top off is by a JBJ Auto with ready made Kalkwasser mix. My Refugium will be stocked with all sorts of Live foods and house A variety of macro algae with a 4 inch mixed bed of Live Sand and Miracle muds. I don't want to kill what helps feed my tank because as well as stocking corals I want to stock a few Anthia's and Wrasses that are plankton feeders. I hope that this is enough to go off of to help answer my question. Any Help would be awesome. __________________ "I am what I am and that's all that I am" Popeye The Sailor! "You only get one spark of insanity, never lose it" Robin Williams you will be missed. Current Tank Info: 50 gallon Cadlights Artisan II Cube , EcoTech Radion Gen 4 Pro, Ecotech MP10QD, Vertex Omega 150i skimmer, EcoTech Reeflink, JBJ Autoe Top-off, Neptune Systems Apex and lots of other small goodies!

05/02/2011, 01:00 PM	#5
fote03 Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Gainesville, Florida Posts: 761	I dont run one. But i have heard that its a really good idea in a quarantine tanks. Just remember to replace the bulbs. __________________ 65Gal Reef with 20gal Display Fuge - 60Gal Mixed Reef - 29gal BioCube

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05/02/2011, 12:50 PM	#2
tkeracer619 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Westminster, CO Posts: 17,289	Im in the no uv camp. A 25w UV does next to nothing when it comes to marine tanks. __________________ Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers. Current Tank: Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k.

05/02/2011, 12:54 PM	#3
likemike99 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: North Carolina Posts: 117	I run a Gamma 40W on my 75 G tank. I run it 24/7 and skim 24/7.

05/02/2011, 12:55 PM	#4
likemike99 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: North Carolina Posts: 117	and my mandarin is nice and plump.