Are UV sterilizers " so last year"?

M

Many Waters

New member
So, I've been wondering- are UV sterilizers a thing of the past? Back when I first started learning, all of 11-12 years ago, they were a must have. But I'm getting the idea that maybe they're no longer considered a necessity. Especially considering how important it is to have a " live" system, I have to assume that uv sterilizers would compromise that. Any input? I have two tanks without UV, and 1 with...

Patiently waiting some opinions and discussion :-):lolspin:
 
UV sterilizer can be useful, but it's hardly necessary - many would feel they're 'so last decade' :lol:. They are mostly clarifiers. Since only that which passes through the unit are affected, they are not really all that useful for disease treatment.
 
I've been running UV's for decades and have an AquaUV 114 watt sterilzer on my main system as well. I don't think they are yesterday at all and they certainly don't compromise a live system. My system has been up since 1997 and has pretty much always had a UV on it and it's very much alive and very healthy. They certainly aren't needed but they do have their place in this hobby IMO. Not for ich but they do wonders for water clarity, improve ORP, reduce algae, eliminate and prevent bacterial blooms, reduce other nuisance water born bacteria such as cyano as well as other things. Personally, I like having them. It's just one more tool for improving water quality, water clarity and reducing some of the potential issues our tanks face.
 
ca1ore said:
UV sterilizer can be useful, but it's hardly necessary - many would feel they're 'so last decade' :lol:. They are mostly clarifiers. Since only that which passes through the unit are affected, they are not really all that useful for disease treatment.
Click to expand...

I guess it's a lot like modern developments in many hobbies- If you've been doing it for 20 years and it works, why change? And if you're not using it, and never have, well, if it ain't broke, don't fix it! Loolol . I'm really glad to have gotten responses from both ends of the spectrum here, so thank you, guys!!! As I said- I have UV on my 180 reef, but no UV on my 47g Red Sea, or my 20g red sea nano, and I haven't seen a major difference * EXCEPT* that I have never had an issue with water quality on the 180 (with the UV sterilizers.) Glad to know that it doesn't seem to have an impact on live circulating beneficial " bugs". Thank you for your input, guys!!!!
 
Are UV sterilizers " so last year"?

Are UV sterilizers " so last year"?

Absolutely love mine. Run it all day every day, keeps tank clear and helps with bacterial and algae blooms. Can't think of a down side


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
I've had multiple tanks for most of the 12 years I've been in the hobby and I've never run a UV sterilizer. I don't see the need.

I'm not saying there is anything wrong about using one, but until somebody shows me why I need one...
 
angel125 said:
I`m thinking of purchasing one. What`s a good brand? Thanks
Click to expand...

AquaUV is my first choice. They are very well distributed and very high quality. Parts including bulbs are readily available across the country. They make their own bulbs too. Their bulbs only need to be replaced annually unlike other brands and their support is excellent.
 
I've always had one but I think I've used it once. To me it is a tool to have on hand. Like my Polyfilters, GAC, GFO, Spare RODI, Spare Saltwater mixed, etc. For those emergency or one off situations.

Aqua UV are at the top.

I'm actually about to put one online to play and test something out.
 
Slief maybe you can answer this. I've always wondered why the 40watt units were so much longer then the 57watt?
 
Thanks maybe I'll ask them one day. :)


For now I'm playing around with my UV unit again and going to test some things out with it. It also gave me an excuse to fool around with another flow meter :D

5790f5a1b6d0eb83605b1f4d7be2b5e0.jpg
 
I figured I would share this since lots of people question the value of a UV sterilzer. I run a 114 watt AquaUV on my 700 gallon mixed reef. A couple weeks ago, my UV bulbs died. What tipped me off was a sudden drop in my ORP. Normally I replace my bulbs once a year but this time, I went longer than that. It's been about 1.5 years and these bulbs were toast. A few days ago, my new bulbs arrived and I put them in. In the first graph, you can see the ORP drop. In the second graph, you can see the ORP increase over the last couple days. It's increased 35 points in the last 24 hours and is back on track to it's normal 360 ORP range. I've always said they improve water quality. ORP is a good measurement of that quality and this shows the impact clear as day. While the difference between 300 and 350 may be somewhat inconsequential, the water clarity improvements seen when running a good quality UV sterilzer are more than just a visible impact. Beyond just the water quality improvement, if the water is clearer, the light penetrates better which is better for the corals too. Some people run ozone to increase ORP. I haven't used my ozone generator in a number of years because I've been able to maintain good ORP levels without it despite my very heavy feedings. Part of the reason my ORP levels are as high as they normally are is due in part to the use of UV.

Anyhow, here are the graphs. The ORP probe is new as of last month and I also have a 2nd probe on my Profilux that is reading 333 compared to the 338 that my Apex is showing. The other probe is located in my frag tank which is plumbed into the main system.

IMG_3126_zpse4xaf7s5.png


IMG_3128_zpsx6rtrf9c.png
 
I've ran UV before, I'm not sure I could tell the difference between running it and not running it in my tanks.. I guess it just depends on what is in your water and current water clarity and what else you might be running. I certainly wouldn't tell someone not to buy one as I don't think they harm anything. But I think i'd buy one to solve a problem.. not preventative...
 
I have run a Emperor Aquatics 40 watt Smart UV sterilizer for about a year and a half now.
Saw a big difference in water clarity in two days. My ORP runs between 428 and 453. I believe running a properly sized UV is worth the water clarity in itself. Emperor Aquatics is taken over by Pentair.
 
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