Poll: Do You Use UV Sterilization?

[AlexG]

I just got a hold of a used 80 watt High output UV sterilizer. It is under sized for my system but its a start. I might go to a bigger unit in the future or add a second UV sterilizer. I am hoping to get it installed this weekend.

 

[leepink23]

I used one for parasites, it seem to keep it under control because as soon as I didnt get a new bulb I had a breakout. I then decided to move all fish to quarantine and stop using a UV all together. I noticed a month or so after stopping using it I had a bacterial bloom as well. My impression was it worked but I didnt want to be dependent on one, now no parasites, no blooms and no uv.

 

[Tobbe]

I am a believer in em have used deltec 39w previous and now hw-germany 75watt and not any dinos etc
I have low flow HW claim 99% will be killed at 1500 litres/h and i run it just at 900litres

 

[Beardo]

How do you guys have it plumbed? In what order?

My 57 watt unit had a separate pump taking a section from the skimmer section of my sump and discharging to the return section of sump. The 114 watt unit I went ahead and plumbed into my return (discharge of return pump) with isolation valves before and after unit and a bypass valve to allow for removal of the unit for servicing.

 

[Ed Reefer]

Interesting dialogue. I used them previously on a fish only aquarium, but am under the impression that it could eliminate valuable nutrients/bacteria or other things that would be helpful in a reef aquarium. Curious if others have heard/felt the same regarding UV. I have chosen to set up a new reef aquarium without it. Also, the bulbs have limited life span and have not heard whether any has a set schedule for replacement.

 

[Chris Villalobos]

When I first started this hobby I read “Reef Keeping for Dummies” and the authors swore by UV sterilizers so I have run one ever since. The one time I did turn it off I had a bacteria bloom in the tank that went away when I turned the UV back on.

I have been reefing for 4 years now and have never had any fish diseases and my tank is always crystal clear without carbon filters.

I use a coralife turbo twist 6x UV sterilizer running at 60 gph off my main return. According to coralife that should kill parasites in the water column. My tank holds 50 gallons including sump.

 

[joekool]

I have yet to run one but I can see the possibilities and success of others. I would believe that most people that have tried them didn't have a good one, the right wattage and/or the proper flow rate/ contact time.

I'm seriously considering one for my remodel that nearly complete.

Also actually knowing how much water is in your system would be key for setup. One would speculate that you should check your flow rate on a regular basis as it will change based on buildup in the plumbing lines in and out like most plumbing it wont be set it and forget it.

 

[chipmunkofdoom2]

We have one on just about all of our saltwater systems at the National Aquarium in Baltimore. We even have one on our saltwater chilling system. This is just a few 300 gallon vats plumbed together and hooked up to a heat exchanger to cool water for our Atlantic displays. There are never any animals in that system and there never will be. We still have a sterilizer on it.

During training, the primary aquarist explained that, in our situation, sterilizers can't prevent disease or cure it once it's in the tank. If something makes it past our QT procedure, however, a sterilizer will slow the spread and can prevent the outbreak from becoming an epidemic. I think this is a reasonable expectation for hobby-grade sterilizers used on reef tanks as well.

 

[Reefinny Verified Sponsor]

How do you guys have it plumbed? In what order?

I have a sump room fortunatly... with that said I have a reeflo snapper that feeds my external skimmer, calcium reactor and UV. I have a flow meter on skimmer and UV so I can control the flow.

I am running 300 gallons ph through it.

Discharge into sump through a filter sock.

Mike

 

[LouieP]

I have a 60 cube and I run a 16w Ultralife UV. Mine is ran "T" off my Vectra M1, pump, chiller to tank and the other side is pump, UV, ATS to Sump.

 

[brandon429]

i can not use uv until they invent a thumb sized device, then I will. I personally would never own any aquarium larger than a nano reef without having a triple large UV due to the countless tanks we've saved with it. id use it to cheat my way free of many invaders that should otherwise be legitimately controlled.

 

[ShinerMaginer]

Is there a recommendation for wattage vs water volume? I have 200g, and have been considering a 40w Lifeguard UV. That feels undersized based on what I’m reading in this thread. 80-100w more reasonable?

 

[Reefinny Verified Sponsor]

I would not go any less than 57 Watt on 200 gallons. That is also my personal opinion and experience. And no way shape or form am I claiming to be an expert but I have gone through a few units over the last 4 years. Mostly due to my system expanding.

There are few reputable online wholesalers that offer different brands do you research I personally like the Pentair. I have used a few brands but it's also my opinion and it works for the space that I have because I'm able to fit a large unit.

 

[Kamden Uelton]

Never has never will, From what I understand it sterilizes marine life correct? Meaning it would sterilize my precious Copepods and Rotifers which my crinoids depend on to feed.

 

[scardall]

How do you guys have it plumbed? In what order?

http://www.americanaquariumproducts.com/images/graphics/uvsumpflow.jpg (This link may help)

 

[Reefinny Verified Sponsor]

Never has never will, From what I understand it sterilizes marine life correct? Meaning it would sterilize my precious Copepods and Rotifers which my crinoids depend on to feed.

I don't know that I necessarily agree with that I have a billion copepods in my tank

 

[Mark Gray]

Never have had any use for one don't guess i will start now first salt water tank was over 35 years ago

 

[Kamden Uelton]

I don't know that I necessarily agree with that I have a billion copepods in my tank

I don't know how they work, that was just my guess being it called a "UV Sterilizer" I have 5 Pod eaters in my 30g so copepods are a must

 

[Gexx]

I have a 5w sunsun on my 10 gallon tank. Only been running 24 hours and my dinos arent in force like they usually are. Im hoping it will clear them up in a week...

 

[rck329]

I had a bacterial bloom on a new set-up. Harmless (at least seemingly so), but it was dragging on and I was getting sick of looking at it. I bought a cheapy 9w from Amazon. Cleared the water on my 40B setup in less than 2 days. That kinda sold me and I may put (larger) one on the 180 I'm setting up.

My thinking is; I really don't think it can do any harm, and it may do some good. That being said it is low on the priority list for the new build and certainly not required by any stretch, IMO.