Hello all I been running my tank for close to 3 years and I have been thinking about getting a uv sterilizer I have been reading and doing research on it but was really wondering if its necessary it's some many different options on the subject
Uv sterilizer
- Thread starter Ebrown74
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I’ve personally overseen the maintenance of fifty or so reef aquariums and I can say I’ve only run a UV sterilizer on a hand full of these aquariums. One of the aquariums was a 500 gallon saltwater fish tank like those in Las Vegas sitting in the middle of a focal point in a very large home with direct sunlight. Needless to say I was constantly fighting algae on the false coral inserts. I chose to use a Uv sterilizer. I will say I think it helped to keep the water a bit clearer but that’s it. The fishes nutrition was paramount to keeping them healthy. I dealt with higher aquarium temps due to the aquariums location and my inability to communicate with the foreign owner. I’m not a big proponent of Uv sterilizers as the kill the good and the bad. I prefer to occasionally use the micron filter charged with diatomaceous earth to accomplish unparalleled water clarity! You’ll figure out what works best for you!
ReeferBud
Well-Known Member
Not necessary. Nice to have and only if oversized for your tank.
I run a 80w on a 450 gal and I can’t say I notice a major effect. But I’m having good results with my tank so don’t want to upset anything
Recommend you watch the BRS video on UVs
I run a 80w on a 450 gal and I can’t say I notice a major effect. But I’m having good results with my tank so don’t want to upset anything
Recommend you watch the BRS video on UVs
I completely agree with what others say. If you’ve found a combination of things that work for you why not stick to what’s working for you. This hobby is saturated with so may different experiences that no one persons experience should be overvalued over anothers’. You find what works for you and stick with it! You discover what works for you. I’m confident in your success!
Not necessary. Nice to have and only if oversized for your tank.
I run a 80w on a 450 gal and I can’t say I notice a major effect. But I’m having good results with my tank so don’t want to upset anything
Recommend you watch the BRS video on UVs
80w on a 450 gallon tank is undersized. No wonder why you don’t see any results. I have a 120 on a 260. Works awesome.
I was told try to keep the UV wattage about half the size of the gallons of water. Since I’ve been using a UV I have no disease issues and my water is crystal clear. I still have pods and decent water parameters. I will say the chiller does run frequently so having a larger UV could cause temp issues.
ReeferBud
Well-Known Member
I had the UV on my previous tank, which was smaller. When I upgraded, I decided to hook up the UV. Although not sized appropriately for my tank, I thought it couldn’t hurt...
The issue with UVs is that they’re expensive (like everything else in this hobby) and getting a UV that’s 225 Watts would be prohibitive for me and don’t think it would be worth it. Plenty of other things I would spend a couple of Gs on before a UV.
Understood.
jsvand5
Valuable Member
Ordered this one. Thing is a beast. I had ich some how get through my QT protocol. I had fish dying almost daily. hooked this up and all signs of ich were gone within a week and have not returned. This is a 210g tank with and achillies tang, blue tang, powder blue tang, and convict tang.
I watched the BRS videos and get what they are saying. What are peoples thoughts about the AQUA brand? It has protocalls for controlling parasites as BRS recommended. I bought a 25w AQUA for a Red Sea 250 (65 total gallons). Sized right or should I go for a 40w? Sorry, not trying to hijack thread. Thought info could be relevant.
vangvace
Well-Known Member
Aqua is a reputable brand. Are you aiming for parasite or algae control? How do you plan on plumbing it?
vangvace
Well-Known Member
Sadly aqua UV doesn't chart to 180,000 µw/cm² but I would estimate somewhere between 240 and 180 gph for the 25w classic for parasite control to the 180 mark. ~400gph for some parasites. I would email them at [email protected] to be certain.
Having the output as far away from the input as possible to keep from recirculating sterilized water helps too.
