UV sterilizer

Cleo642 · Jul 19, 2015

I saw someone post on here that a UV sterilizer isn't good reef aquariums. Is that true to anyone's experience? Do any of you use a UV sterilizer?

4FordFamily · Jul 19, 2015

I don't use a uv on my reef tanks. They're largely ineffective against parasites of any kind due to the complexity of flow to the sump and through the sterilizer and the design of current through the system etc.

That said they may have algae benefits. IMO you're better off using phosban than uv for that anyhow.

Cleo642 · Jul 19, 2015

3FordFamily said:
I don't use a uv on my reef tanks. They're largely ineffective against parasites of any kind due to the complexity of flow to the sump and through the sterilizer and the design of current through the system etc.

That said they may have algae benefits. IMO you're better off using phosban than uv for that anyhow.

That is good to know before I wasted my money buying one.

Virtualbasil · Jul 19, 2015

Would probably be good for a quartine tank?

Daytonareefing · Jul 19, 2015

It depends on the Uv brand. It also makes a difference what your using it for on how many watts you need. I would use one at least on my QT tank if I was not running the Zeovit system. They can be good to kill algae and some pests in the tank. The best you can buy is an Aqua Ultraviolet with a wiper to wipe the quartz sleeve. Back 20 years ago the lfs I went to used rainbow lifegaurd units to fight unwanted pests in there tanks and they are good units too. Now the fish stores are to cheap and thats why we end up with so many pests.

4FordFamily · Jul 19, 2015

Virtualbasil said:
Would probably be good for a quartine tank?

No because many medications when used in conjunction with UV sterilizers can and will poison your fish.

4FordFamily · Jul 19, 2015

Daytonareefing said:
It depends on the Uv brand. It also makes a difference what your using it for on how many watts you need. I would use one at least on my QT tank if I was not running the Zeovit system. They can be good to kill algae and some pests in the tank. The best you can buy is an Aqua Ultraviolet with a wiper to wipe the quartz sleeve. Back 20 years ago the lfs I went to used rainbow lifegaurd units to fight unwanted pests in there tanks and they are good units too. Now the fish stores are to cheap and thats why we end up with so many pests.

IMO our issues with pests begin at collection and get exponentially worse at various intermediaries prior to the LFS.

Humblefish · Jul 19, 2015

A UV is great for improving water clarity in any aquarium; especially in a pond that has many algae spores.

A UV is useful for removing harmful bacteria from the water, which can cause an infection in fish.

However, it is only minimally effective at removing harmful parasites (such as ich theronts) from the water, due to their sheer numbers.

hybridazn · Jul 19, 2015

Using a UV for the right reasons is great. I have one on my 180 sps reef and it helps keep the water nice and clear.

Cleo642 · Jul 19, 2015

Humblefish said:
A UV is great for improving water clarity in any aquarium; especially in a pond that has many algae spores.

A UV is useful for removing harmful bacteria from the water, which can cause an infection in fish.

However, it is only minimally effective at removing harmful parasites (such as ich theronts) from the water, due to their sheer numbers.

Do you use a UV sterilizer in your aquariums?

Humblefish · Jul 19, 2015

Cleo642 said:
Do you use a UV sterilizer in your aquariums?

No, haven't in many years. Not since I started QT'ing everything.

Cleo642 · Jul 19, 2015

3FordFamily said:
IMO our issues with pests begin at collection and get exponentially worse at various intermediaries prior to the LFS.

This is separate from the discussion, but I wanted to ask you if you have or have kept a Scopas tang? If I start with a larger tank I will get one. I really like them, I think they look cool, even through most people probably think they are drab. If I have to start with a smaller tank I will probably get a Tomini tang. I read you know allot about tangs.

4FordFamily · Jul 19, 2015

Cleo642 said:
This is separate from the discussion, but I wanted to ask you if you have or have kept a Scopas tang? If I start with a larger tank I will get one. I really like them, I think they look cool, even through most people probably think they are drab. If I have to start with a smaller tank I will probably get a Tomini tang. I read you know allot about tangs.

I've never had one, but I hear they do pretty well in smaller tanks until they grow larger, like yellow tangs. I don't have any experience with them though. One of the few common tangs I don't have experience with. I've kept dozens of other zebrasoma tangs though - yellow, Sailfin, desjardini Sailfin, purple, etc.

Cleo642 · Jul 19, 2015

3FordFamily said:
I've never had one, but I hear they do pretty well in smaller tanks until they grow larger, like yellow tangs. I don't have any experience with them though. One of the few common tangs I don't have experience with. I've kept dozens of other zebrasoma tangs though - yellow, Sailfin, desjardini Sailfin, purple, etc.

I saw it on liveaquaria.com and they say they can grow to a foot long. I fixture many people don't buy then cause they are brown but think they have a cool look. It depends on my living situation when I get my tank, if I am staying in a more permanent place where I'll live for a while I'll get a 180 or 240 gallon tank but if I'll stay in a smaller more temporary place I'll get 55 or 75 and I'll get a Tomini. Have you had a Tomini?

Humblefish · Jul 19, 2015

Scopas are fairly easy to keep, "garden variety" Zebrasoma tangs. On par with keeping a Yellow Tang I would say (but without the attitude.) I even see a "Yellow Scopas Hybrid Tang" for sale on DD from time to time.

If you get a 55 or 75, I think a Tomini is a good fit for that size tank.

Cleo642 · Jul 19, 2015

Humblefish said:
Scopas are fairly easy to keep, "garden variety" Zebrasoma tangs. On par with keeping a Yellow Tang I would say (but without the attitude.) I even see a "Yellow Scopas Hybrid Tang" for sale on DD from time to time.

If you get a 55 or 75, I think a Tomini is a good fit for that size tank.

Is a Tomini the smallest tang? Just curious on that, never found a definite answer. Sorry to bother you with so many questions but I seem to be in a talkative mood.

Cleo642 · Jul 19, 2015

Humblefish said:
Scopas are fairly easy to keep, "garden variety" Zebrasoma tangs. On par with keeping a Yellow Tang I would say (but without the attitude.) I even see a "Yellow Scopas Hybrid Tang" for sale on DD from time to time.

If you get a 55 or 75, I think a Tomini is a good fit for that size tank.

Oh, and what's DD?

Humblefish · Jul 19, 2015

Cleo642 said:
Is a Tomini the smallest tang? Just curious on that, never found a definite answer. Sorry to bother you with so many but I seem to be in a talkative mood.

All the Ctenochaetus tangs (Tomini is Ctenochaetus tominiensis) stay relatively small - except for the Chevron. IMO; they are the best suited tangs for 55-75 gal tanks.

Cleo642 said:
Oh, and what's DD?

Live Aquaria Diver's Den: http://www.liveaquaria.com/diversden/

They also sell "non premium fish": http://www.liveaquaria.com/

Cleo642 · Jul 19, 2015

Humblefish said:
All the Ctenochaetus tangs (Tomini is Ctenochaetus tominiensis) stay relatively small - except for the Chevron. IMO; they are the best suited tangs for 55-75 gal tanks.
I look at liveaquaria.com all the time, just didn't put the two together.

Live Aquaria Diver's Den: http://www.liveaquaria.com/diversden/

They also sell "non premium fish": http://www.liveaquaria.com/

Humblefish · Jul 19, 2015

@Cleo642 I just noticed your location says "St. James Parish, Louisiana".

You are not too far from some pretty good LFS - Aqua Hut & Reef Coral in BR. Coral Fever in Raceland.