Are UV sterilizers worth it?

[Daniel@R2R Verified Admin]

I've never used UV sterilizers because of the fear that they would be detrimental to my pod population, but lately I'm wondering if the pros out weigh the cons. So, talk me into it. Should I use a UV sterilizer on my next tank?

 

[polyppal]

Ive had both and I don't think id spend the money for the negligible algae control benefits again. I had a large 55w one plumbed inline on a cube tank a while back, and didn't really see any standout benefit in terms of fish health.

Maybe if I were running a large FOWLR system, id run a large in-line one, but I find reactor methods and proper QT is the better route for me (currently running 68g and 18g tanks)

 

[mdb_talon]

I have one and almost never use it, but it has came in handy a couple times specifically with the start of dino outbreaks. Nice to have on hand to be able to just turn it on when needed.

 

[plankton]

For a full reef tank with corals, inverts, refugium etc ..: UV filter is useless in fact doing more harm than good.

 

[jx.reef]

I only run UV for really bad bacterial blooms or Dinos. I can’t imagine beating either of those problems easily if not for UV. IMO it’s a very important tool to have in the arsenal.

 

[rtparty]

For spot usage, yes. I wouldn't go out of my way to plumb one in and all the associated maintenance. Having one you can slap on the rim of the tank in an emergency is great to have. Dinos? Slap it on for a couple days. Bacterial bloom? Slap it on.

Kind of an expensive piece to keep around for minimal use but definitely has benefits

 

[Gundy]

My advice is to type in ”UV sterilizer” into the search bar and read what people say is their experience about them. It really depends on what your goals are for using UV. A lot of people are using UV with great success and UV use on tanks is becoming very popular. Most people are using it for algae control and are having excellent results. The key is to purchase a good quality UV, plumb it correctly and have the proper flow rates for what you want to accomplish. Flow rates are really important in order to kill or stop the desired organisms from multiplying and research all aspects from the manufacturer to plumbing. I personally would never run a tank without UV. The benefits are just too good if it is done correctly.

 

[polyppal]

They are useful for clearing up bacterial blooms. But then again so is just waiting a few days until it dissipates on its own.

If you order a UV online to battle a bloom, chances are it'll clear up on its own before the package arrives

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

Big deal they zap some bugs for your fish to eat. Lol.
Do it to it captn!
Lol
D

 

[Gundy]

They are useful for clearing up bacterial blooms. But then again so is just waiting a few days until it dissipates on its own.

If you order a UV online to battle a bloom, chances are it'll clear up on its own before the package arrives

I have read probably close to 50 posts where people have fought bad algae problems, sometimes for months and could never get rid of it. They tried every possible solution with no results and utter frustration. Some opted for an inexpensive UV from Amazon and with 24-48 hours, the algae vanished. Some purchase more expensive units and have loved the results from water clarity to algae reduction or elimination.

 

[ozziede]

I've been doing inch management since the start and I knew 4 months ago I had ich in the tank when I had 3 fishes. A couple of clowns and a blue tang. Fed them well on dry, frozen mysis, shaved clams and they all seemed to get over it. Few months later the tank was stocked up to 5 inhabitants and no signs of ich. I then added my 6th fish a bristle tooth tang and bam the next day my Coral Beauty died with no symptoms other than not being itself the night before, blue tang broke out in white spots clown fishes started flashing. A week later the bristle tooth suddenly died showing no symptoms other than being lethargic the night before. 5 days later the Female clown died with skin falling off people would say it would look like brook and all fish show symptoms of ich, flashing, classic salt grain spots. So off to the LFS and they recommended Reef Revolution Parasite Remover. A reef safe peroxide salt remedy to control ich. 2 days later the other clown died but it could be because it was too little too late. The blue tang recovered but foxface was hiding and eating less and less. 7 days later Fox face stopped eating I knew this was the beginning of the end. I decided I would go the UV route and purchased a V2ectron 600 for my 250L (75 gallon) tank. Surprisingly there is so little information on the internet on UV brands and what kills ich. The model was definately oversized for my tank but still less than half the price of pentair and eheim uvc60 which my LFS was trying to push onto me. I got a separate pump to control the UV flow. Getting home from the LFS the foxface was on its deathbed. Camoflauged and lying on its side barely moving I would have given it another 2 hours before it would have stopped breathing. Hooked up the UV and started it off. Somehow 30 minutes later the foxface was swimming around the tank. 1 day later the foxface is swimming out in the open and started taking more and more foods. Scars are on the body but color has come back to the fish. Don't know if UV can solve ich that fast. For me UV does do wonders for ich management and well worth the price and wished I've done it sooner.

 

[MartinM]

I use them along with H2O2 for water clarity (there’s an interaction) and for parasitic fish disease prevention (and cure in the past). However, they must be used correctly for both purposes.

 

[horseloverfats]

I've never used UV sterilizers because of the fear that they would be detrimental to my pod population, but lately I'm wondering if the pros out weigh the cons. So, talk me into it. Should I use a UV sterilizer on my next tank?

My tank got Ich. I could not catch the fish to put in QT so I bought a UV hoping to kill the Ich. All my fish are alive and well. I am concerned my tank is too clean. I did notice my rotifer population drop significantly. I will be turning it off to see what happens. It has been running for about a month.

 

[dmsc2fs]

I use them along with H2O2 for water clarity (there’s an interaction) and for parasitic fish disease prevention (and cure in the past). However, they must be used correctly for both purposes.

I just read an article on this. It is interesting and I stashed it in my knowledge bank for a DT outbreak since I am already running UV.

 

[A Young Reefer]

I believe that it has benefits, however do I really need one? Is it worth the money? For now my answer is no however this might change in the future.
FYI: I have heard a lot of good stuff about “the green killing machine”, a 75$ Uv sterilizer.

 

[Duncan62]

I've never used UV sterilizers because of the fear that they would be detrimental to my pod population, but lately I'm wondering if the pros out weigh the cons. So, talk me into it. Should I use a UV sterilizer on my next tank?

For a reef tank only when you get dinos. The only 2 hours at night. Since 76 I've owned 3 . I think a self sustaining pod population is better for your tank 90% than a sterilizer is. Nice when you need it but way overused by most. Get one for the very rare occasion it's needed. Don't buy the most expensive one out there. Good luck!

 

[kados]

Ahh the weekly UV thread. Next week let's discuss Salts.. Kidding not kidding lol. Be easy mod.

 

[Daniel@R2R Verified Admin]

If I picked one up, my main purpose would be water clarity. Ich prevention isn't a bad thing, but I currently rely on quarantine and work to keep it out of my reef.

 

[Sean Clark]

What, no poll questions?
I vote UV.
You don't need to have it but it sure is nice to have when you need to have it.

 

[Spare time]

I've never used UV sterilizers because of the fear that they would be detrimental to my pod population, but lately I'm wondering if the pros out weigh the cons. So, talk me into it. Should I use a UV sterilizer on my next tank?

How bout I talk you out of it?



Pros:
-Clears up bacteria/phyto blooms
-can eleminate certain dinos
-water can be unnaturally clear

Cons
-removes coral food (though not significantly removing bacteria)
-removes zooplankton food (phytoplankton)
-following the above, makes it more difficult to keep NPS organisms and other filter feeders
-does not prevent disease
-removes competition for algae that live on the rocks
-can make algae situations worse


They are very much a tool for the right job. Sorta like antibiotics. They definitely have their uses, but daily consumption can become harmful if done for very long periods of time and can even become counter productive.