UV Sterilizer in new reef tank..?

[ShpwrkReefsS]

Yes or no?

 

[Jagg]

No

 

[redwayjay]

NO
Week 14: Are UV sterilizers worth the time, money and effort? | 52 Weeks of Reefing

 

[redwayjay]

NO
Week 14: Are UV sterilizers worth the time, money and effort? | 52 Weeks of Reefing

The cost to buy one that will really have a effect on most tanks is astronomical.

 

[Hermie]

No at least until it's cycled IMO. But I don't have science to back this up.

 

[AZMSGT]

The cost to buy one that will really have a effect on most tanks is astronomical.

OP, Yes and no. If you can afford the appropriate sized UV from the beginning then by all means run it from the start. If not, it's a good thing to add. It helps control bacteria blooms and dinos.

I ran mine from the beginning and have had no ill effects because of it.

I'm positive it has kept at least dinos out of my tank. My system went to zero nitrates and phosphates for a while and I never got dinos. The zeroing out of those two items for a length of time tends to create a dino problem in case you didn't know.

 

[SPR1968]

Yes provided your not cycling with bacteria in a bottle in which case you should leave it off for 7-14 days.

Apart from the cost of buying one and the annual bulb change I cant see any reason not to for the benefits you get.

You need to make sure its powerful enough for your system and has the correct flow or it wont work as it should.

I get the impression that UV-C is more popular in Europe, I have the 80w DD system in my new system and its been running since the tank was 14 days 'wet'