UV Sterilizer Question

[Balanje]

There are probably few threads on sterilizers already but I wanted to get opinions on my setup before dropping a good chunk of change on a UV Sterilizer.

I have a new 90 gallon tank that is lightly stocked at the moment but I will start adding more fish and coral over the next month. My sump holds about 40gal.

I'm probably not going to every get any LPS in the tank. I have some softies and may go for some SPS. As for fish, I'd love to get a blue and yellow tang.

I have an Eheim 1262 return pump which is 900 GPH. I don't think I can divert this into a Sterilizer b/c it would reduce flow into the DT. So I'm thinking I need to get a new pump for the UV, if I go that route.

So, first off, are they really necessary?
What is the right size for a 90gal display + 40gal sump? 25 watt or 40 watt?
Is it OK to plumb separately from the return pump?
Are there cheap options or am I looking at about $400?

Lots of questions... Interested in your thoughts.

 

[HB AL]

I have an inexpensive coralife 12x on my 92gal, you can get one for a little over 100$. I run a separate return pump on it. Not sure if it really helps but it sure doesn't hurt.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

So, first off, are they really necessary?
.

Simple answer, not "necessary". While many people have them and like them, my assessment is that most reefers do not use them.

I personally would not use one on my system unless it was very specialized for disease prone fish, like maybe a seahorse tank. I generally do not want to kill suspended bacteria and other organisms.

 

[mtraylor]

So, first off, are they really necessary? No. Not really

If you like crystal clear water and healthier fish. Then get one. There is a significant difference between having one and not having one. I have used both the turbo twist and now own a emperor uv sterilizer. The turbo twist works ok and will polish the water. The turbo twist bulb is white in color however.

The emperor is bigger and gives more contact time for the water and the bulb is actually blue. UV. . The water is clearer with the emperor. Significant difference. Now all the said. I have never had ich in my aquarium. Not going to get into that debate. Just stating the facts.

I never needed one until I got some difficult tangs to take care of like the achilies tang. His skin was always dusty looking. So I got a turbo twist uv sterilizer because I didn't want to spend 400 and his skin cleared right up and became velvet black. That is the reason I bought one. After purchasing one and also seeing the benefits of water clarity/quality, I will never run an aquarium without one. Now you will hear people say "I have crystal clear water and I don't have a uv sterilizer". I'm sure that is true. I have probably said that in the past before I had one. LOL.......but that water will be allot clearer if it had a uv sterilizer on it. OBTW it just doesn't clear the water.

Personally I would get an aqua uv or emporer while they are on sale before I would get the other ones if you have the cash. YOu can get teh 400 dollar ones for like 300 right now if the sales are still on. From your setup, it doesn't appear you have a super need for one. If you have 400 cash right now and want something to make your aquarium better. I would dump that cash first in an controller. JMO. Uv would be the last thing on the list as you are starting out.

What is the right size for a 90gal display + 40gal sump? 25 watt or 40 watt?
I would get the 40watt. It would be ok and would allow you to grow into it.

Is it OK to plumb separately from the return pump?
YEs

Are there cheap options or am I looking at about $400?
Yes you could get say a turbo twist 36watt for like 200. But I would advice to get the big 40watt on sale.

 

[Balanje]

So, first off, are they really necessary? No. Not really

If you like crystal clear water and healthier fish. Then get one. There is a significant difference between having one and not having one. I have used both the turbo twist and now own a emperor uv sterilizer. The turbo twist works ok and will polish the water. The turbo twist bulb is white in color however.

The emperor is bigger and gives more contact time for the water and the bulb is actually blue. UV. . The water is clearer with the emperor. Significant difference. Now all the said. I have never had ich in my aquarium. Not going to get into that debate. Just stating the facts.

I never needed one until I got some difficult tangs to take care of like the achilies tang. His skin was always dusty looking. So I got a turbo twist uv sterilizer because I didn't want to spend 400 and his skin cleared right up and became velvet black. That is the reason I bought one. After purchasing one and also seeing the benefits of water clarity/quality, I will never run an aquarium without one. Now you will hear people say "I have crystal clear water and I don't have a uv sterilizer". I'm sure that is true. I have probably said that in the past before I had one. LOL.......but that water will be allot clearer if it had a uv sterilizer on it. OBTW it just doesn't clear the water.

Personally I would get an aqua uv or emporer while they are on sale before I would get the other ones if you have the cash. YOu can get teh 400 dollar ones for like 300 right now if the sales are still on. From your setup, it doesn't appear you have a super need for one. If you have 400 cash right now and want something to make your aquarium better. I would dump that cash first in an controller. JMO. Uv would be the last thing on the list as you are starting out.

What is the right size for a 90gal display + 40gal sump? 25 watt or 40 watt?
I would get the 40watt. It would be ok and would allow you to grow into it.

Is it OK to plumb separately from the return pump?
YEs

Are there cheap options or am I looking at about $400?
Yes you could get say a turbo twist 36watt for like 200. But I would advice to get the big 40watt on sale.

Thanks for the feedback. I think if I take the plunge to get one, i'll likely take your advice and buck up for the 40w $400 one. i tend to go entry level and then immediately regret it and wish I went bigger. For example, going from my 30 to my 90 gal tank. Another example, i got an Ink Bird temp controller but probably should have gone bigger... If i get a UV, best to get something I can grow into.

 

[Flippers4pups]

Thanks for the feedback. I think if I take the plunge to get one, i'll likely take your advice and buck up for the 40w $400 one. i tend to go entry level and then immediately regret it and wish I went bigger. For example, going from my 30 to my 90 gal tank. Another example, i got an Ink Bird temp controller but probably should have gone bigger... If i get a UV, best to get something I can grow into.

Getting a hobby grade UV is a personal choice, but with questions:

What are your goals? Parasite eradication or control?

Water clarification?

Most hobby grade UV systems cant generate enough UVC wavelength to kill protozoa, damage yes with the correct dwell time. The problem is water volume and understanding the life cycle of the parasite. Most units are very poor at controlling or reducing numbers because of this.

Water clarification. Most hobby UV units are adequate at controlling bacterial/algae blooms in the water collum. For this they are okay to use, parasite control or eradication, not very good.

 

[Balanje]

Getting a hobby grade UV is a personal choice, but with questions:

What are your goals? Parasite eradication or control?

Water clarification?

Most hobby grade UV systems cant generate enough UVC wavelength to kill protozoa, damage yes with the correct dwell time. The problem is water volume and understanding the life cycle of the parasite. Most units are very poor at controlling or reducing numbers because of this.

Water clarification. Most hobby UV units are adequate at controlling bacterial/algae blooms in the water collum. For this they are okay to use, parasite control or eradication, not very good.

I’d say my main goal is water clarification and preventative measures. I know a UV isn’t going to take care of existing problems but it seems like a good way to stay in front of things. I had a hair algae breakout in my old tank that i just couldn’t shake for months. I don’t want to go through that again.

 

[Forsaken77]

There are probably few threads on sterilizers already but I wanted to get opinions on my setup before dropping a good chunk of change on a UV Sterilizer.

I have a new 90 gallon tank that is lightly stocked at the moment but I will start adding more fish and coral over the next month. My sump holds about 40gal.

I'm probably not going to every get any LPS in the tank. I have some softies and may go for some SPS. As for fish, I'd love to get a blue and yellow tang.

I have an Eheim 1262 return pump which is 900 GPH. I don't think I can divert this into a Sterilizer b/c it would reduce flow into the DT. So I'm thinking I need to get a new pump for the UV, if I go that route.

So, first off, are they really necessary?
What is the right size for a 90gal display + 40gal sump? 25 watt or 40 watt?
Is it OK to plumb separately from the return pump?
Are there cheap options or am I looking at about $400?

Lots of questions... Interested in your thoughts.

A cheaper, high output 25 watt sterilizer for a 90 would be the TMC Vecton V2 600. This is a quality unit and is $189. It's used mostly in Europe, but the site I linked to has all the UV info you could want, plus they sell the unit and any parts for it. I bought two from him for my 180. It also goes into flow rates and anything you would need to know.

A uv is definitely not a necessity, but can help water quality, fish disease, parasites, viruses, and algae problems.

You don't need those giant ones that cost a fortune. You do, however, want all of the aquarium water passing through it to be as effective as possible.

 

[Balanje]

A cheaper, high output 25 watt sterilizer for a 90 would be the TMC Vecton V2 600. This is a quality unit and is $189. It's used mostly in Europe, but the site I linked to has all the UV info you could want, plus they sell the unit and any parts for it. I bought two from him for my 180. It also goes into flow rates and anything you would need to know.

A uv is definitely not a necessity, but can help water quality, fish disease, parasites, viruses, and algae problems.

You don't need those giant ones that cost a fortune. You do, however, want all of the aquarium water passing through it to be as effective as possible.

That does look like a nice unit at a reasonable price point. You think 25w is sufficent then?

Thanks for the link

 

[Forsaken77]

That does look like a nice unit at a reasonable price point. You think 25w is sufficent then?

Thanks for the link

25 watts is sufficient. You can go up to 700 gph and still get level 1 sterilization, which is algae, bacteria, higher ORP, ect... The most common use. Because I have two, and they're 20 inches long and should be mounted horizontally (they call it vertically because the input and output are vertical), I'm getting composite decking to build a mount over my sump. So when the bulb needs to be changed, it leaks into the sump and not the cabinet.

The only thing is they are meant for vinyl tubing, with a stepped barb to accommodate different tube sizes, or a 2" pvc connection.

You can find a wealth of UV info on that site and contact them anytime.