any real life advantage of uv sterilizer in reef?

[sgallant04]

besides in a practical FO system, any advantage of having the ability to use a uv sterilizer even in a temp situation on a reef?

I do run a small ozone generator/orp controller on my mini 34g cube into the skimmer and I like it. gives me peace of mind knowing at a glance what ORP levels are & helps Keeps ORP nice and high and haven't noticed anything detrimental

 

[Gomer]

The only time I ever desired to run UV was in a freshwater planted tank, and that was just to take care of suspended green algae.

There MAY be some usefulness if you have pathogen problems. It isn't a cure, but it will put a dent in the population (like water borne ich). Probably not enough to matter though.

 

[seesick]

I say definitely there are some advantages having a UV sterilizer in a fish only system or a reef. It wouldn’t make sense for people like me who run a low nutrient system because it would kill all of my good bacteria. There is a great article about UV sterilization in the Marine Fish and Reef USA 2011 annual. I believe it is on newsstands now or I have a copy and I could leave it at one of the fish stores like Southwest reef co or Clarks in the heights. I refuse to go to the Clarks on Lomas. Just because of that bozo durius. I actually have a stack of (Marine Magazines). I could leave them and one of the LFS, first come first serve. You could also make the 7 or 8 dollar investment as well and get a new one. So if anyone is interested in old fish magazines let me know..

 

[Gomer]

UV would only kill water borne bacteria and that is only a very small fraction of what is in our tanks. Most is in the rock, sand and ..heck, any surface :-D

 

[seesick]

I am guessing Gomer you are referring to when I say "œit would kill all of my good bacteria." As I am sure you are aware when running an ultra low nutrient system (like I am) you supplement bacteria as well as a carbon source such as vodka. So in a low nutrient system running a UV sterilizer or an ozone generator would be counter-productive. It would kill all of my good bacteria. You are correct when you say that most of the bacteria in our marine systems live in the rocks, substrate, etc.. that siad UV sterilizers are manly used for killing algae spores, can help with cyano and aptasia spores and many other things that live in the water column. You can definitely tell when you introduced an ozone generator or a UV sterilizer to a system. The difference in clarity is dramatic. I'm sure those of you who have added a UV sterilizer or an ozone generator can testify to that.

 

[Gomer]

oops, ya. I skipped on reading the vodka dosing part. For a traditional system it isn't a big deal, but I agree that in your case it is.

 

[spartyblaze]

I've seen and heard of a lot of people using them temporarily to solve ich problems. Only switching the UV to help lessen the risk of ich on a tank.

 

[seesick]

Yeah definitely a UV sterilizer can help. I have also heard of them used to help with algae problems. Does anyone know how often you have to change the bulbs? I think that is there only downfall. Ozone is one time cost..

 

[spollock818]

Well, I have to chime in for a minute. I'm running a Laguna 9 watt (pond application) on one of the drains from my 65 DT with a 30 sump in a mixed tamk. I have not had to clean the glass in months and the water is super clear. I decided to run it in hopes of not having to break down the tank chasing fish aroun my LR when I had an ich outbreak that took my cole tang. I didnt treat anythig else, and after five months, no more fish have fallen. I also dose VSV with a DSB. Since dosing my nitrates and phosphates are now undetecable. What took care of my algea? Low nutrients or UV? I do not know, but when I turn off the UV for a few weeks (always tinkering) I get some film on my glass. I also would like to say that I feed heavy. In summary, I do not have a refugium, so pods are not producing really and I am a fan of them now.

I run it 24/7 but when the life cycle comes up on the buld, I think Im going to run it off my lught timmer for 10 hours to increase the life of the bulb.

 

[Ntvper]

i only run one when algae is in bloom, or during first spots of ICH appeared. meaning in one year i only had to run it for a week. then havent used it since. but on the bulb replacement its like every 3 months i find on my pond.

 

[puffin04]

UV sterilizer= Garbage!!!! I would not even waste the time or the money on one. For really any system for that matter. Thanks

Steffen Sparks

 

[sgallant04]

i have a small ozone generator and orp controller...awesome!
But i did add a small UV sterilizer to a small loop off my sump and wired in a controller switch so i can switch it as needed w/ getting back to the protected outlets. now i'm working on making sure that loop is operating slowly enough to make the sterilizer effective if/when I desire.

 

[xmenx2dad]

I would think that on most systems it would not be needed. What is the upside of dosing ozone? How is it done?

 

[seesick]

I would think that on most systems it would not be needed. What is the upside of dosing ozone? How is it done?

Check out ozone generators, but basically you hook it up to your skimmer ozone is (o3) three oxygen atoms so it's very unstable looking to oxidize, anyway check it out. I used one for a long time and work great, if you would like to try it, you are more than welcome to try my old one out, if you come on the 5th I will show you you can take it and see the diff. first hand.

 

[sgallant04]

I have a small ozone generator as well, but not the Corona discharge tube style. I find that HV circuit style to be ****-poor, and very prone to failure.

For sure check out a CD plate style or pro cold tube type.