UV a Better Investment than you think?

[Snarlax]

I know most reefers are against using UV sterilizers for some reason or another. But perhaps they serve a bigger purpose to our corals than we realize.

Microbial diseases of corals seems to be major driving forces to various coral ailments such as White Band Disease (WBD), Rapid Tissue Necrosis (RTN), and Brown Jelly Disease (BJD) according to many sources (Google microbial coral diseases).

If a UV sterilizer was added to the tank, perhaps it would kill the various pathogens (Vibrio among many others) that could possibly harm our corals?

I'm far from an expert on this topic, but from a newb's point of view it seems like UV could be a great addition to a reef tank for the purpose of coral health.

 

[greenbean36191]

No. UV sterilizers have been repeatedly shown to have either no effect on pathogen densities or infection rates in recirculating systems, even when the kill rate passing through the filter is nearly 100%. Even on paper they don't work for recirculating systems.

 

[Snarlax]

Oh well, there goes my theory then lol.

 

[geoxman]

I like mine. I know nothing about microbial diseases but algae is almost nill in the main display and it is run off my return pump. If it does no good at least it puts off this really cool blue glow over the sump. I will keep using mine but I have no WBD, RTN or BJD-just a real nice blue glow and no algae. good luck


Edit,,
Why are they then used on salt water swimming pools? Just to kill the algae? I have a few friends that have the soft SW pools and they all have a LARGE UV. I am not being combative, just curious??

 

[Snarlax]

Greenbean, do you have any links showing that data? I believe you, I just wanna see a link to show a friend.

 

[greenbean36191]

Algae and pathogens/parasites are different matters. With algae you can either kill it directly by irradiating it or starve it for nutrients. UV does both. It's probably a safe assumption that in regards to the former, algal spores aren't much different than pathogens. However, UV does a good job of breaking down organics, which can reduce the nutrients fueling the algae. With pathogens you can't starve them so you have to irradiate them all.

As for why they're used on saltwater pools, I don't really know how or why they're used in that application so I have no way of knowing if they're effective. Of course, just because they're used in that application isn't proof that they work. It could be the same case as in the hobby that they're sold just because people will buy them.

 

[greenbean36191]

Here you go snarlax. You should be able to find at least abstracts for most of them online, possibly full texts for a few.

Spotte, S. and Adams, G. 1981. Pathogen Reduction in Closed Aquaculture Systems by UV Radiation: Fact or Artifact? MEPS 6: 295-298.

Herald, E. S., Dempster, R. P, Hunt. M. 1970. Ultraviolet sterilization of aquarium water. In: Hayen, W. (ed.) Aquarium design criteria (Spec ed.), Drum and Croaker, U S Department of the Interior, Washington, DC. 57-71

Bullock. G. L.. Stuckey, H. M. 1977. Ultraviolet treatment of water for destruction of five gram-negative bacteria pathogenic to fishes. J. Fish. Res. Bd Can. 34: 1244-1249

Spotte, S., Buck, J. D. 1981. The efficacy of UV irradiation in the microbial disinfection of marine mammal water J. Wildl. Dis. 17: 11-16

Spanier, E. 1978. Preliminary trials with an ultraviolet liquid sterilizer. Aquaculture 14: 75-84

Gratzek, J.B., Gilbert, J.P., Lohr, A.L., Shotts, E.B. Jr., Brown, J. 1983. Ultraviolet light control of Ichthyophthirius multifiliis (Fouquet) in a closed fish culture recirculation system. J. Fish. Dis. 6:2 145-153.

 

[Snarlax]

Thanks!

 

[idareefer]

I use one on my 300 gal reef, no algae at all, it does help, along with helping with some of the problimatic ich break outs, my pod growth is still in good order coming from my fuge & my powder blue is fat & happy, he's the the boss! good luck!