How Many of you Use UV?

[Reef264]

Hey there, Hi there, Ho there!

I have been very curious about running UV sterilizers, due to I've heard they kill bad parasites, and keep your tank clean of some nuisances, well I saw some pictures in a post here recently where The UV sterilizer made the colors of the Acro's pop!I am just wondering if any of you colored stick enthusiasts use or have used UV, and what your results are/were.What watt sterilizer's do you use? Where did you run your inlet line from?Ive heard of running it from the skimmer for it to work better?

I know it's a lot of questions, but I'm very interested.

-Ray

 

[tcmfish]

I think the UV you are referring to was UV LEDs.

Also in order for them to kill parasites they have to be quite large and the flowrate is very important (has to be low). Also the parasite has to go through the UV, so that won't work for parasites on fish or coral. They are good to prevent bacterial and algal blooms.

If you have enough power to run one I don't think it is a bad idea, but I don't think they should be used to kill parasites.

 

[o2manyfish]

Running an inline UV can help with parasite outbreaks, as well as water clarity by destroying algae spores.

Size, Contact time, flow rate all have to be correct for UV to be effective.

There is no reason to put it after a skimmer. And in fact, you probably wouldn't want it to be after the skimmer as the bubbles in the skimmer effluent would probably work against the efficiency of the UV.

I have been running UV on my tanks for many many years. It's a piece of equipment that isn't necessary but would be recommended.

Dave B

 

[Reef264]

Dave B,

What size would be necessary?How low would my GPH need to be in order for it to be affective, a rough guess?

Tcmfish,

Yes, I was attempting to ask about UV LED's, somehow left out the LED part.

 

[tcmfish]

http://www.emperoraquatics.com/microorganisms_uv-dose.php

 

[Reef264]

http://www.emperoraquatics.com/microorganisms_uv-dose.php

Thank you!I appreciate it!

-Ray

 

[o2manyfish]

I'm glad TCMfish posted the link. I think if you read through emperor's site they have specific sizes and flow rates.

My reef logic, is bigger and slower than what is recommended.

And since you have a reefkeeper, hook it up to that. The UV's are a light and produce heat. So if you have the ability, shut the UV off, when the tank temp goes up to prevent from over heating your tank.

And the main thing is, a UV does need maintenance. The bulbs need to be replaced, but the quartz sleeze needs cleaning, it builds up calcium. So make sure you plumb the UV where you have good access to pull the quartz sleeve out for cleaning.

Dave B

 

[Reef264]

Thanks Dave B, very Informative.

 

[Lostinthedark]

I use a turbo twist 36w on a 225 with a 250gph flow. It helps keep the water crystal clear. I know it doesn't kill all the parasites but I feel it reduces their number to a point that helps the fish fight them off.

 

[Reef264]

Lostinthedark,

How much does it affect your temperature?

 

[Big E]

Here's another good link---

http://www.aquariumadvice.com/intro...4/1/Introduction-to-UV-sterilizers/Page1.html

 

[nick elaine]

I am wondering if uv turn the element that I dose in to poison?
Other than uv, does any brother use ozone?