U.V sterilizers, are they really needed?

revhtree · May 15, 2012

Topic suggested by one of our friends from facebook.

U.V sterilizers, are they really needed?

What is your opinion and please share your experience.

btkrausen · May 15, 2012

I'm running a 57w on my 220 setup right now, and while it may not be needed, I think it has kept the water clear and my sand is staying crystal clean.

revhtree · May 15, 2012

Hmm that's interesting. Is one of the benefits supposed to be cleaner water and sand?

DOI · May 15, 2012

It depends. I have never seen a need for them on tanks under 50g. I use them to kill single cell critters that will change the color of the water. It's much more noticeable on larger tanks when the water starts to discolor. I have a 1200g cylinder tank that had the UV off for 6 months or so and the water color was a noticeable difference once it was back online.

As far as a disease deterant it works well with water column organisms but unfortunately they aren't all in the water but on fish, inverts, liverock, etc (if you have them). I guess you can see it as keeping the bad guys in check. In the end it can't hurt but ony help by running one. Your already spending a million bucks a month on electricity so what's another hundred grand

Connie · May 15, 2012

It kills bacteria..bad and good. It also kills ich. I don't think they are necessary; however, I did install one because of an ich outbreak and it did take care of it. All of my fish have been very healthy since. I have not been using it around the clock the last few months as I am using some of the KZ products. Last week at the newest LFS, I asked them if they had a replacement bulb and was told a UVS shouldn't be used on a reef tank because it kills the coral food. What is everyone's opinion on that?

DOI · May 15, 2012

Connie said:
It kills bacteria..bad and good. It also kills ich. I don't think they are necessary; however, I did install one because of an ich outbreak and it did take care of it. All of my fish have been very healthy since. I have not been using it around the clock the last few months as I am using some of the KZ products. Last week at the newest LFS, I asked them if they had a replacement bulb and was told a UVS shouldn't be used on a reef tank because it kills the coral food. What is everyone's opinion on that?

I would run one but turn it off when you feed.

btkrausen · May 15, 2012

One thing to keep in mind is that UV kills different things depending on the flow & wattage of the unit. The slower the flow, the more different types of organisms it will kill.

Algae and other organisms are killed much faster (more flow) than say...ich (which requires slower flow).

revhtree · May 15, 2012

I am seriously considering adding one to my tank. Any recommendations for a 135g?

CTMarinelife · May 15, 2012

I run a 72W on my 240, have to protect my fish.

secretreefer · May 15, 2012

I used a coralife turbo twist 18x /36w on my 180g. It was a snap to hook up and ran a MJ 1200 on it. Cleaning and bulb replacement was also very easy. I really noticed less algae on the glass, sand and rocks. i ran mine constantly. After I made the mistake and took it off I had an explosion of algae/red slime all over. And i had less fish after i removed it.

agallison3 · May 15, 2012

I run a Coralife turbo-twist 3X on my 40 gallon cube. Works great and keeps the water crystal clear! Will need to get a larger one when I setup my 90 gallon tank...

flipper · May 15, 2012

I hear varying reports from the so called old timer experts. I would be keen to hear of any tests by prominent reef aquarists

Mstansbery · May 15, 2012

^^ Ditto!

ingtar_shinowa · May 16, 2012

revhtree said:
I am seriously considering adding one to my tank. Any recommendations for a 135g?

9w turbo twist is what I have on my 125 and its working well

pgr11 · May 16, 2012

I need to buy one for my 265g tank

mmoner · May 16, 2012

Highest watt/flow percentage is recommended in breeding setups.

I have 11w for 180 lt. (45g.) setup @1000lt/h flow.

I can not be sure about its efficiency, but al least i feel safe&glad about partial water disinfection and overall clarity.

btkrausen · May 16, 2012

As for size, buy the biggest you can to help increase Âµw/cm2

Poseidon · May 16, 2012

Go big or go home Rev.

I ran a 57W on my 90. UV is MOST effective when it is ran between point a and b, not recirculating box a (Tank) or box b (sump). In my setup, I ran it between the tank and sump return, at about 800 gph. Aqua UV says that a 57W will kill C. Irritans with a 1066gph flow rate.

My water was CRYSTAL clear, and once I added the UV, it really dropped the amount of algae on the glass. I'd say go for it!!! I'll be putting one on my new set up as well.

REEFKEEPER10 · May 16, 2012

Running on a QT tank want hurt nothing and running one on a fish only want either. I don't see the benefits of running one on a reef tank. To me quarantine, water quality and picking the right fish goes a long way toward keeping ick out of the display. if it helps you sleep at night then used one but make sure to feed your corals because your plankton population is toast. Lol

Paul C. · Jun 24, 2012

I have recently switched where i get my RO water. The new place oddly enough is a health food store. They have this soda machine looking thing, put ur container in, push a button and it fills it. Pretty cool. Only thing i noticed is their machine runs a "final polishing" step - A UV light.... I have noticed that the algae on my sand bed has pretty much disappeared. Planing to install my own RO system, which i will collect the water in a 55 gallon tank, with pumps, to mix my salt for water changes, as well as run it through a UV light..

Would it be beneficial to run a UV light for say a few days a week or month on my DT? or is it one of those items that would need to be a permanent addition to the tank to be effective?