Anyone still running uv?

Bdial

Member
I found my old uv and was thinking about setting it up to help with water clarity. However, I am about to jump on the biggle bandwagon and will getting a bunch of matrix and other elements. Would the uv mess with the bacteria content or should I go ahead and clear up my tank? :twitch:
 
I have ran a 57W Aqua UV about 12 hours per day since I started my tank two years ago. I've been dose the Aquaforest bacteria and carbon (Pro Bio S and -NP Pro) and trace element supplements for 4 moths. My SPS are doing quite well so I don't think there is a downside to it. I am using it for for the fish health benefits more than anything else.
 
I have ran a 57W Aqua UV about 12 hours per day since I started my tank two years ago. I've been dose the Aquaforest bacteria and carbon (Pro Bio S and -NP Pro) and trace element supplements for 4 moths. My SPS are doing quite well so I don't think there is a downside to it. I am using it for for the fish health benefits more than anything else.



Why not run it 24/7? On/off cycles actually put more wear and tear on the bulbs than leaving them on.
 
I have used one on other tanks but not my SPS tank I have running now. I didn't no rice much of a difference when using it. I use carbon for water clarity on my current tank


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Why not run it 24/7? On/off cycles actually put more wear and tear on the bulbs than leaving them on.

I don't run it 24/7 for a number of reasons, none of which are based on anything other than hunches.

1: I didn't want to over sterilize the water, I dose bacteria while the UV is off, hoping it is able to do that do that it do better without the sterilizer.
2: I want the bulbs to last longer. I hear your point about on/off cycles, but without some evidence am not convinced that one cycle a day will overcome 12 hours of non use. But I'm willing to be convinced otherwise.
3: Heat. I know its only 57 watts, but its more 57 watts to heat my tank during the day. I run it at night, saving heater use at night and chiller use during the day.
 
I don't run it 24/7 for a number of reasons, none of which are based on anything other than hunches.



1: I didn't want to over sterilize the water, I dose bacteria while the UV is off, hoping it is able to do that do that it do better without the sterilizer.

2: I want the bulbs to last longer. I hear your point about on/off cycles, but without some evidence am not convinced that one cycle a day will overcome 12 hours of non use. But I'm willing to be convinced otherwise.

3: Heat. I know its only 57 watts, but its more 57 watts to heat my tank during the day. I run it at night, saving heater use at night and chiller use during the day.



Points 1 and 3 are valid however I only run my 40 watt with just over 100 gph to kill free swimming ich so it doesn't kill EVERYTHING in the water and that was intended, just control. AquaUV actually says that the UV should be run 24/7 because on/off cycles will cause the bulb to fail prematurely.
 
I only have a 36 watt coralife. I know it's not strong enough for most bacteria but it will help with clarity. I'm still undecided.
 
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