Refugium or UV Sterilizer

[Auqaman]

I'm on the fence of what to buy next for my 4 month old tank and wanted someone with more experience to weigh in. I was thinking about a refugium to control that inevitable algae bloom. Or should I get a UV sterilizer. The water is pretty cloudy (even with weekly water changes) and I was hoping the sterilizer would help. What would you guys buy? Refugium or sterilizer?

 

[Mike N]

Both, but would start with the refugium if I had to choose one.

 

[Auqaman]

Both, but would start with the refugium if I had to choose one.

I'll eventually get both but can only choose one for now

 

[Long Island Reefer]

Love my refugium so i would vote refugium first.

 

[harley32907]

Uv ......Imo

 

[marlinmon]

Both. UV first if you have dinos. Otherwise I vote refugium for now.

 

[Auqaman]

I was about to pull the trigger on a refugium but then I started reading about disease prevention with a uv sterilizer so now I’m on the fence

 

[Bpfor3]

I got both. UV is not really going to prevent disease. It could, and i emphasize could, allow you to manage disease, but that is not why i would get it. UV will keep your water clearer. A Fuge has a ton of benefits for a young tank, and could solve your water clarity problem as well. It keeps pest algae down, creates diversity in the tank, etc. Get the fuge, as big as possible. Good luck!!

 

[Auqaman]

I got both. UV is not really going to prevent disease. It could, and i emphasize could, allow you to manage disease, but that is not why i would get it. UV will keep your water clearer. A Fuge has a ton of benefits for a young tank, and could solve your water clarity problem as well. It keeps pest algae down, creates diversity in the tank, etc. Get the fuge, as big as possible. Good luck!!

Great advice, thanks!!

 

[RJKain-777]

Do both, both serve 2 different purposes, but you should be quarantining your fish ragardless of UV or no UV

 

[Variant]

If you have a skimmer already, get the UV first. Skimmer and refugium both are nutrient export methods while UV is completely different. So pick one nutrient export method and get the UV and when you can, you can always add the fuge.

 

[Auqaman]

If you have a skimmer already, get the UV first. Skimmer and refugium both are nutrient export methods while UV is completely different. So pick one nutrient export method and get the UV and when you can, you can always add the fuge.

Also a really good point. I do have a skimmer already. Probably gonna make a list of all the pros and see what wins. Thanks!