UV Sterlizer or Carbon Reactor

[KirkL]

I have a 45 gallon hex tank that was started about 6 years ago, with salt water fish, but have been really excited about making it a reef tank. I have approximately 30 different corals in the tank, and am very fussy about the water being crystal clear, and do water changes every week to keep it that way. I have been looking into getting a UV sterlizer or a carbon reactor, and wanted some thoughts on which would be the better choice, if I can’t go with both. I currently have an Oceanic tank with a wooden stand below, that houses a canister filter. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[C_AWOL]

You could always passively use activated carbon in the canister and use the uv sterilizer.

 

[mtraylor]

I second what he said. I love having a UV. Keeps water clear and issues down. Every time I do maintenance on the tank and forget to turn on the valve for the UV when done.... I run into problems. Running carbon in the canister filter will also help for pristine water.

 

[mtraylor]

 

[KirkL]

I second what he said. I love having a UV. Keeps water clear and issues down. Every time I do maintenance on the tank and forget to turn on the valve for the UV when done.... I run into problems. Running carbon in the canister filter will also help for pristine water.

Thanks guys. That makes a lot of sense. I have heard at the fish store that I go to, that the problem with UV sterilizers is they do kill bacteria, but they also kill good bacteria in the tank. Is there anything to that, or do the benefits outweigh the negatives? Thank you very much.

 

[mtraylor]

I guess an easier way to answer this is. Depending on flow rates etc. Any bacteria that is in the water column that goes through the uv sterilzer will be killed.