Recommended UV Sterilizer for a 130g

[Letterkenny]

I’m looking to get a budget UV sterilizer to use from time to time on my tanks. I have a Dino outbreak on my 45g which is causing me to get a UV sterilizer but figured I should get one large enough to use for my main tank if ever needed. Are there any recommendations out there?

 

[Badilac]

I recommend the Lifegard units. in your case maybe the 40watt or 55watt.

read this.

UV Sterilizers, which unit to choose and why?

With the recent buzz around UV Sterilizers thanks to a few videos from industry giants I have seen a lot more people talking about UV's. Naturally most people purchase what these industry leaders push / sell which is fine and dandy, but I suggest everyone do their own research. When selecting...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[Letterkenny]

Is there any reason not to use a Jebao? I like the price and it’s not something I will run 24/7. More so just to treat issues as they arise.

 

[Silent]

Get what you pay for with a UV sterilizer. It is not like a pump that you see working and at what efficiency. It either works for you or it don't. I could not recommend a inexpensive one.

 

[Letterkenny]

Get what you pay for with a UV sterilizer. It is not like a pump that you see working and at what efficiency. It either works for you or it don't. I could not recommend a inexpensive one.

What about one of the 10w innovative marines just to use on a 45g? I believe price point is $100.

 

[Kjames]

I've been running a Jebao 36 watt for a year now on my 112gal system. It's been effective, but the inside of the plastic housing is slowly degrading - evidenced by the black film that you can wipe off the inside when changing bulbs. It freaked me out and I posted about it at one point. And I went back to using it soon after. No ill effects observed on my SPS.

I would probably buy again if it was for periodic use, but with continuous operation I would go for one of the bigger name brands like Pentair, etc. and expect the unit to last several years.

 

[madweazl]

I've been extremely happy with the Pentair 40w on my 150g.

 

[Letterkenny]

I've been running a Jebao 36 watt for a year now on my 112gal system. It's been effective, but the inside of the plastic housing is slowly degrading - evidenced by the black film that you can wipe off the inside when changing bulbs. It freaked me out and I posted about it at one point. And I went back to using it soon after. No ill effects observed on my SPS.

I would probably buy again if it was for periodic use, but with continuous operation I would go for one of the bigger name brands like Pentair, etc. and expect the unit to last several years.

That’s helpful. Currently deciding if I want to buy that or an innovative marine second hand from my buddy. I don’t plan on running this outside of on as needed basis.

I've been extremely happy with the Pentair 40w on my 150g.

Unfortunately, that’s quite a bit more expensive than I would like to spend. Again it’s not something I plan to run 24/7. I currently plan to use it to get rid of Dino’s in my 45g and then to just use in case anything happens down the road.

 

[Kryptonian]

Is there a specific reason you don't want it running 24/7? I know it's a debated subject but if you're wanting to run one at all, wouldn't it be most effective first working at a solution to a problem and then 24/7 as a preventative measure?

It's most definitely a "get what you pay for" piece of equipment and you want one rated at or higher than your tank size to have effectiveness.

 

[rmay6850]

I have a 57w on my 150

 

[Letterkenny]

Is there a specific reason you don't want it running 24/7? I know it's a debated subject but if you're wanting to run one at all, wouldn't it be most effective first working at a solution to a problem and then 24/7 as a preventative measure?

It's most definitely a "get what you pay for" piece of equipment and you want one rated at or higher than your tank size to have effectiveness.

Great points. I am getting this because of Dino’s in my 45g tank. The reason why I don’t want to run it 24/7 going forward is simple because I don’t think it’s necessary. I believe the cause of my Dino’s is that I moved everything out of my 45g a couple months ago into my new 130g. I then used chemiclean to get rid of the cyano outbreak I had and got Dino’s after from that and also not having anything but inverts and a nem. I recently moved the tank and added a pair of clowns and didn’t notice Dino’s anymore from having a bioload. However, there was something wrong with the female clown so I moved them into QT, thus leaving the tank barren again and I noticed the reassurance of this. I’ve been ghost feeding and feeding the nems in there but I’m hopeful once I have it stocked again, I won’t have any issues.

Because of the above, I don’t believe 24/7 UV is necessary. Further, I was also more thinking of getting one piece of equipment that I could use between the two tanks on an as needed basis.

 

[Kryptonian]

Great points. I am getting this because of Dino’s in my 45g tank. The reason why I don’t want to run it 24/7 going forward is simple because I don’t think it’s necessary. I believe the cause of my Dino’s is that I moved everything out of my 45g a couple months ago into my new 130g. I then used chemiclean to get rid of the cyano outbreak I had and got Dino’s after from that and also not having anything but inverts and a nem. I recently moved the tank and added a pair of clowns and didn’t notice Dino’s anymore from having a bioload. However, there was something wrong with the female clown so I moved them into QT, thus leaving the tank barren again and I noticed the reassurance of this. I’ve been ghost feeding and feeding the nems in there but I’m hopeful once I have it stocked again, I won’t have any issues.

Because of the above, I don’t believe 24/7 UV is necessary. Further, I was also more thinking of getting one piece of equipment that I could use between the two tanks on an as needed basis.

Sounds good! All valid points and UV has many different purposes, some needing more constant attention than others, like keeping parasites at bay.

If you get one that can handle your larger tank, you're not going to 'overpower' your smaller tank so don't worry too much about going too big. Just get the right piece of equip for the larger tank. I'm running Lifegard 55 watt amalgam on 180 rated for max tank size 350 gal. Saw very noticeable changes within 24 hours..

 

[ZoWhat]

Read my signature

 

[Jeeperz]

Any UV unit with a plastic housing will degrade within a few years if used 24/7. Are there any stainless units? I don't want to drop $400 on a plastic housing uv just to have to buy another in a couple years.

 

[Silent]

Any UV unit with a plastic housing will degrade within a few years if used 24/7. Are there any stainless units? I don't want to drop $400 on a plastic housing uv just to have to buy another in a couple years.

Not true. I can only speak of pentair uv but I use mine 24/7 and it has lasted years. Different companies use different plastics.

 

[Memisis]

I use the lifegard 55watt. You can see the install in my build thread. I like it and have my maxspect 6k set to 50%. Since the body of the sterilizer is twice the size or more of your return it files and water mive twice as slow through it to ensure anything that passes through it get hit with UV. It was by far the most legitimate looking cost effective 55watt I could find.

 

[Jeeperz]

Not true. I can only speak of pentair uv but I use mine 24/7 and it has lasted years. Different companies use different plastics.

Let's see pics of the inside diameter of the plastic that receives the brutal onslaught of plastic degrading UV these bulbs put out. I highly doubt an uncoated plastic can deal with that, I've never seen it.

 

[Jeeperz]

I have a pond filter that's been outside for going on 10-15 years. The plastic inside the UV section deteriorated after less than 2 years. Yet the outside looks nearly new

 

[Silent]

Let's see pics of the inside diameter of the plastic that receives the brutal onslaught of plastic degrading UV these bulbs put out. I highly doubt an uncoated plastic can deal with that, I've never seen it.

It is running but next time I change the bulb I will be sure to post an inside picture.

 

[|Tom the Bomb|]

@Letterkenny

for something that size get a unit AT LEAST *24 WATTS* because too less is.. well.... useless
but youd be better off with a 30W like others have said the lifegard ones are great if u want CHEAPEEE but still good try the AA Green Killing machine 24W UV sterilizer it works great i have a 13W on my 40G and a 24W on my 80G and thiniking of putting the 9W or 5W mini one on my 10 or 20G its pretty cheap for a UV that actually works and works WELL it has a pump w/ plumbing already but Id still recommend the lifegard or the emperor aquatics one and plumb it urself run with a pump