Uv or ozone.... A mass-debate!?

[craigcolbert]

As the title suggests, thought I'd start a thread dedicated to the health of our fish.... Not got either yet and was just wondering what people thought one or the other or both?


Cheers people [emoji2]<br/>

 

[fungia_fiend]

I think both are unnecessary complications.

 

[Shep]

I have heard mixed things about them but most people I know do not run them. You also have to think about the fact that it could also kill off your pods.

 

[d2mini]

A skimmer could be an unnecessary complication too.
I don't run one in my nano. I've seen plenty of successful tanks that don't use them.

These are all just tools available to use for a healthier tank.
But like anything else, you need to understand what they do and how to properly use them.
Here's the first in a series of 3 articles on Ozone in the aquarium.
Ozone and the Reef Aquarium, Part 1: Chemistry and Biochemistry by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com

I think Randy also talks about UV somewhere but I couldn't find it with a quick search.

 

[fungia_fiend]

UV is almost useless. Ozone can help improve skimming, but it just isn't needed. I stand by my don't bother advice.

 

[Windy]

I bought a UV in 1998 and I havn't used it since

 

[AdamNC]

Never bought either and probably never will. All my fish and corals are fat and happy without.

 

[craigcolbert]

This seems to be the consensus I have put the same thread on a UK based forum too with similar results

 

[DaveMorris]

Here are my thoughts on this question...First, they both do different things in a very different way. I think understanding what exactly happens when each system is used can help in the decision on whether or not to utilize one or the other. Or both. I think if your tank is having a problem, then you need to look at the methods available to solve it. UV and ozone are two methods that can help make the water more clear. I would gain an understanding of what each specifically does and then decide if it is for you. There is also cost involved, sometimes a significant cost, as well as risks. If an ozone system is implemented incorrectly it can kill tank inhabitants and can also be harmful to you and your family. UV can destroy beneficial bacteria that are in the water column. I would get a good feel for the methods out there and then if you need to address a problem, you can choose which would work best. I think most of the tanks out there are perfectly fine without UV or ozone. There are also many tanks out there using one or the other (or both) that are absolutely gorgeous. So it really depends on your particular scenario.

 

[thejuggernaut]

I have heard that if implemented properly, ozone keeps the water clear. Way more effectively than carbon. That alone is probably enough of a reason to implement it. Although I imagine its effects are better seen on larger tanks.

 

[hart24601]

I run ozone at night set with apex timer. I don't think the tank needs it, but the fancy new skimmer I bought last year has a port for it and my GF wanted some xmas gift ideas so ozone I now have! Pretty much all the large public aquariums and breeding facilities use it, so I might as well too although I think they use it as carbon isn't really viable on that large of scale. I used to have lots of softies with SPS so I thought it might be useful to combat chemical warfare, but I have sold most of the softies with the exception of gorgs. So it's ok but I could live without it too.

I would be more for UV if there were more LED based units out there so the bulbs didn't need replacement. For a long time LED diodes were crazy expensive for UVC, but I think that has changed.