Murky Water - UV Sterilizer vs. Carbon

[Nate92]

Hello,

I have a relatively young tank (~2 months), and it is currently going through what I believe is a bacterial bloom. My water has never been particularly clear, but it has been especially murky the last week and a half. To help clear up my water in both the short and long-term, I was thinking of using either a UV sterilizer or carbon.

Any recommendations for one over the other? Either way, does anyone have any preferred brands or products they would recommend using? Thank you very much!

-Nate

 

[Big G]

Just started using a UV sterilizer on my 20 QT. Had an incredible algae/bacterial bloom going on. It got so bad I couldn't see the corals in the tank, no matter how many water changes, carbon, etc.
So I bought one of those "Green Killing Machines" from Amazon. Turned it on; did a 25% water change. By the next day the water was noticeably clearer. Each day that followed repeated the WC, cleaned the HOB, and by the end of 5 days the QT water is crystal clear.

 

[KrisReef]

Yup, uv is great for microbes, and charcoal is better for particulates or dissolved stuff in the water. Use both and you’ll have it covered.

 

[Big G]

Check out this pic I just took. The lights are ramping down for the night, so it's a flash pic, but look how clear the water is. Amazing:

 

[Punchanello]

UV will do a great job with bacterial blooms and waterborne algal blooms. Any old cheap UV will do for that purpose. Carbon is better for chemical and pigment removal and I like the RedSea reef spec.

 

[Nate92]

Just started using a UV sterilizer on my 20 QT. Had an incredible algae/bacterial bloom going on. It got so bad I couldn't see the corals in the tank, no matter how many water changes, carbon, etc.
So I bought one of those "Green Killing Machines" from Amazon. Turned it on; did a 25% water change. By the next day the water was noticeably clearer. Each day that followed repeated the WC, cleaned the HOB, and by the end of 5 days the QT water is crystal clear.

That's fantastic! Thanks for the tip? Do you by chance know which one you purchased?

 

[Big G]

That's fantastic! Thanks for the tip? Do you by chance know which one you purchased?

The 3 watt unit for up to 20 gallons. https://amazon.com/gp/product/B0051C62IQ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[Nate92]

UV will do a great job with bacterial blooms and waterborne algal blooms. Any old cheap UV will do for that purpose. Carbon is better for chemical and pigment removal and I like the RedSea reef spec.

Thanks for the advice!!!

 

[Nate92]

The 3 watt unit for up to 20 gallons. https://amazon.com/gp/product/B0051C62IQ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Thanks for the advice!!