Best in tank UV filter?

[Keith Burns]

I have a 38-gallon reef tank with 50 pounds of live rock and crushed coral/sand bottom that is six months old. I HAD seven fish in the tank a week ago and now have one. I had what I think was a case of velvet hit the tank and within 3 days lost 6 fish.
Water quality is good, nitrates are the only thing above zero at 5-10 ppm, temp is 79, salinity is 1.025.
I have a HOB Biowheel 200 filter and a HOB Octopus 1000 skimmer.

I have heard that UV filters help rid water of pathogens, bacteria, and floating algae. Is this accurate?

Should I add a UV filter, and if so what kind/size? It needs to be in the tank due to no sump and HOB area is fairly full.

Thanks.

 

[lapin]

The UV will not do you any good now. By reef tank, I assume you have coral and inverts. So to fix your issue you will have to take your fish out and QT him. Treat him for what ever disease he has. If the others died, and he was in the same tank he has it too. Next you will need to leave the tank fallow (no fish) for a long period of time. Fallow period - 6 weeks if you are certain it is velvet. However, if you suspect ich or any other disease(s) may be lingering in your display tank, then it is best to go fallow for 76 days. If you treat your tank with copper you will never be able to keep coral and inverts. If you do not QT new fish the same thing can happen again. A UV light will help rid the tank of some of the free swimming stages of some diseases but 100% kill is not possible.

 

[Keith Burns]

Will a UV filter help prevent future parasite outbreaks? If so do you recommend a specific one knowing I need an intank model?
I am considering the
AA Aquarium Green Killing Machine Internal UV Sterilizer with Power Head with 9 watt UV light.

I appreciate your advice.
Thanks

 

[Gene Ashton]

Will a UV filter help prevent future parasite outbreaks? If so do you recommend a specific one knowing I need an intank model?
I am considering the
AA Aquarium Green Killing Machine Internal UV Sterilizer with Power Head with 9 watt UV light.

I appreciate your advice.
Thanks

Did you end up getting this? I have terrible green water and all parameters are good. I was hoping to run this or something in the back and take out my skimmer. The stock skimmer sucks!!

 

[lapin]

A UV will sterilize some of the stuff in your water and could help. You will still need a skimmer to take it out of the water column. You need to figure out why your water is green. High p04? High nitrates. Over feeding? ect.....

 

[Keith Burns]

Did you end up getting this? I have terrible green water and all parameters are good. I was hoping to run this or something in the back and take out my skimmer. The stock skimmer sucks!!

The green killing machine has worked out great for me. I leave it on 24/7.
My water is clearer than before but I bought it mainly to kill parasites. Have not had any issue since turning it on and water is clearer.
However, I strongly suggest using a protein skimmer. I have a HOB Octopus 1000 and love it. If you have to pick one or the other due to space pick the skimmer.