Been thinking about getting a uv sterilizer

[reefbuilder1010]

What is everyone’s thoughts on Uv sterilizers have been thinking about getting one for my aio 50 gallon lagoon. Will it help reduce algae? Will it take out to much good bacteria?

 

[Ludders]

In short no and no.
UV sterilisers help water clarity slightly in a reef, but not like in a pond where they prevent "green water", but I don't know any reefer to suffer with this problem.

Your main benefits in a reef are preventing or curtailing the spread of anything introduced to the water column. I know they can help with dinoflagellate outbreaks and also help reduce fish disease and parasites.

I would definitely recommend having one, but if you are wanting to get one to fix a specific problem, the silver bullet approach probably won't resolve your issue.

 

[moz71]

I just put one on for a Dino problem that solved it and I definitely noticed greatly reduced film algae on glass. I went from cleaning every other day to cleaning almost weekly or 6 days. Not sure my snails liked that though. Lol. Water looks more crystal clear but I wound not say greatly. Just my personal experience

 

[RogurRyd]

Found this somewhere in these forums, if you haven't read it, its full of useful info by a guy with a TON of experience with UV's on aquariums and ponds . Helped me.

UVC Sterilization | How Aquarium & Pond UV Sterilizers Work

Information how a TRUE Aquarium, Pond UV Sterilizer/clarifier work. Category A, B, & C Sterilizers. Affect on green water, disease prevention, & Redox

www.americanaquariumproducts.com

I just installed a Pentair 25 watt unit on my system yesterday. Have flow set to 90gph to sterilize protozoa, ich, flukes and the like. Got burned last year not quarantining and would like to protect new additions going forward. To my surprise, even at the low flow rate, I can already tell the glass is staying clearer longer and its only been 22 hours. I'm stoked.

 

[ShepherdReefer]

We also have a 50-gallon tank and use a 36-watt UV with a flow of around 300-gph. We added this a few, few months back to help with the dinoflagellate outbreak and also helped with a few other algae issues we had.