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03/05/2013, 09:19 PM
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#1 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Cumberland, MD
Posts: 23
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uv sterilizer pros and cons
what are the pros and cons of using a uv sterilizer in a reef tank?
Posted from ReefCentral.com App for Android |
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03/05/2013, 09:26 PM
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#2 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,670
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pro
reduce incidents of bacterial infection of fish in DT and also in QT reduce algae in water in DT. con degrades some drugs in QT. no impact on ich or good bacteria in substrate |
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03/05/2013, 10:01 PM
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#3 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Denver, Colorado
Posts: 142
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There are some other potential cons to running UV:
1) Properly sized, one can increase the temperature of the water - possibly to the point of necessitating a chiller. 2) They are expensive to run, electricity-wise. 3) Running UV will kill some amphi- and copapods (though likely not enough to worry about). 4) Depending on your setup, running UV may require you to purchase a separate pump. 5) Without proper, diligent, and (potentially) expensive maintenance (replacing bulbs, maintaining seals, etc...etc...), their effectiveness degrades significantly over time. Also...do keep in mind that you have to make sure that you get a properly sized unit for your system - your entire system, not just the DT. Oh and you have to make sure that the flow rate you put through the unit is properly matched to the manufacturer's specifications.
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180 gal build in the works......... |
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03/06/2013, 09:47 AM
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#4 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Cumberland, MD
Posts: 23
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I was thinking about the jbj canister filter with built in uv.. anyone know anything about that filter?
Posted from ReefCentral.com App for Android |
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03/06/2013, 10:12 AM
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#5 | |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Denver, Colorado
Posts: 142
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Quote:
IMO, the UV integrated in those filters does not have sufficient strength, flow rate, or contact time to be of any real benefit - particularly to a reef tank. I mean, it won't HURT, but it's likely not worth the extra money. The UV systems that really DO work are ones like this: http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/empero...v-40-watt.html ...note that it's almost 4 FEET long and costs almost $400.
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180 gal build in the works......... |
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03/06/2013, 10:18 AM
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#6 | |
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Moved On
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 4,757
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