UV sterilizers
- Thread starter Terry DeMott
- Start date
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Sump Crab
Valuable Member
I'd run some carbon first but yes if you have a bacterial bloom type situation you can run a uv temporarily to clear it up. I keep the largest size mean green machine handy just in case. Its cleared two bacterial blooms for me over the years. Once in a 40b and once in a 100 gal.
BostonReefer300
Valuable Member
We'll need a lot more info to help you properly. Please post your general water parameters and more details about your tank setup
JumboShrimp
5000 Club Member
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One short answer is, “It couldn’t hurt.” (Not that it’s a dream cure for an otherwise polluted tank.). But I run a 40W Pentair on a heavily Fed 150-gallon FOWLR and have beautifully clear water. Best wishes!
BostonReefer300
Valuable Member
Yeah that's a bacterial bloom most likely. UV at proper flow rate (read the instructions) will help with that. Also, don't feed any bacterial supplements, stop any carbon dosing / biopellets, and don't add any more bottled bacteria
Quietman
2500 Club Member
I feel pretty strongly that UV is an essential part of a complete filtration system that deals proactively with those things we otherwise have to respond reactively with medications or water treatments. Quarantine of course does a lot to manage introduction of pathogens (just to say it before someone else does. 
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BostonReefer300
Valuable Member
Your issue is that you have too much bacteria right now---so definitely don't add something like Nopox which will make it worse. A refugium is a great low-cost and low-maintenance add to help control nutrients in a heavy bioload tank like yours.
Quietman
2500 Club Member
You have to buy proper size for your tank and your design. Needs to be big enough wattage to kill/damage bacteria/algae (including dinos and likely what you have) at high flow due to high reproduction rate (about 8x tank turnover) and also big enough to support high dose pathogen control (ich) but can be slower flow rate.
With that big of tank, the one size option is probably too expensive. The good UV suppliers have the ratings and flow listed.
With that big of tank, the one size option is probably too expensive. The good UV suppliers have the ratings and flow listed.
BostonReefer300
Valuable Member
Check out Pentair Aquatics's SMART HO UVs
Dolphins18
Valuable Member
Cheap and effective
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BostonReefer300
Valuable Member
You can still grow a fair amount of chaeto in that refugium. You definitely have a high nutrient problem which is causing both your bacterial bloom and your algae problemwell I think my tank is going to hell . Have a 5 gal refugium not big enough what do I do
bigger refugium algae reactor or what . thx.
BostonReefer300
Valuable Member
Yes and generally do things to reduce your nutrient levels (eg wetter skim, feed less, etc.). I forget, have you measured your NO3 and PO4?
With PO4 at 2.5ppm & NO3 at 0.5ppm - If that is correct - Your parameters are a little out of sync.
Theres every chance that is giving that algae present a thriving situation that could be adding to a bacterial bloom.
Id look to get on top of those numbers before adding quick fixes etc.
Theres every chance that is giving that algae present a thriving situation that could be adding to a bacterial bloom.
Id look to get on top of those numbers before adding quick fixes etc.
