uv light

[g_acosta_02]

just added a uv light and a skimmer, I just wanted to know if I am to leave the uv light on all the time or put it on a timer.rookie to the hobby

 

[Reefing Madness]

 

[Diesel]

Leave it on 24/7.
Water shouldn't move at a slow current through the UV reactor as you want a long contact period between what passes by the UV light to get zapped.
What kind of UV you got?
Wattage?
What's the volume of your tank?

 

[g_acosta_02]

29 gallon it's deep blue professional 9 watt why I ask I have readed that to much uv kills to much and can kill things thanks

 

[g_acosta_02]

I have no sump it's right in the tank

 

[Diesel]

Is it a HOB UV light?
Does it have a pump on it's own?
Yes it can kill beneficial bacteria but it will only do so to the free floating ones.
Most of the beneficial bacteria or in/on your rock and sand even in your filter.
UV will help you with clarity and controlling free floating parasites.
Show us a FTS and some more info about your setup.
Good luck.

 

[g_acosta_02]

it's hob it's in the water and yeah it has its own pump.. I have a fluval c4 power filter with two hydro koralia 240 power heads that I alternate on and off don't run both at the same time with a aqua euro protein skimmer have 2 clown fish 2 chormis 2 cleaner shrimp 2 horse shoe crabs some snail's and blue legs hermit. 1 torch coral 1 hammer coral 1 duncan coral a rock flower and some zoa

 

[Diesel]

You got a nice collection.
Btw, welcome to R2R.
Post some pics or/and do a build thread.

 

[g_acosta_02]

Thanks, I almost give up started nice water then to clear water after I cycled bought my fishes and my corals then boom looks like the fish and corals where smoking in there,all you s would see was a big cloud and fish swimming lol. that's when I started reading the threads and put my owe 2 cents and here is where I am at now, like I said earlier just added the uv light no joke crystal clear water

 

[Diesel]

IMO, you started to soon adding livestock to the tank and went to a bacterial cycle.
It can clear over night as Bacteria can kick in fast.
Do small water changes for a week or 10 days of 1 or 2 gallons a day.
Glad it turned out all ok.
Keep us posted!

 

[g_acosta_02]

I took out ten gallons and added the uv light so far so good

 

[NanaReefer]

Return the Horseshoe Crabs or find someone with an extremely large, well established tank to take them for you. In no way do they belong in a 29g. Let alone one that has absolutely nothing in it for them to eat! They get very large at 24"so a minimum tank size is at least 180g.
Please remove them from your tank before they die!

 

[g_acosta_02]

you really think this is going to get up to 24in the biggest I have seen them is the size of a half a dollar.... now in the ocean I have seen them big... but If I see it get to big I will take ou but for now he is cleaning my sand and is eating all leftover he has been me with since day oneu

 

[tat2z_21]

I think that they are awesome, and falls into the same category as tangs, when it starts to get to big or you can not supply it with enough food, I would say it is time to start looking for another tank. If you like the guy you will eventually have to upgrade or find him a bigger home. I have seen plenty of people keep tangs in a 55 gallon, then find them a new home once they started to throw the water parameters off.

 

[g_acosta_02]

I have only had my tank up for about 4 months I just started he has a long way to go it's not even the size of a quarter I am a rookie not a fish killer lol it will be okay