UV on a reef tank?

[enemec1]

who runs them on their tanks and are bennifets better than the draw backs?
What is a good brand to buy if I choose to get one?

 

[Michael]

i actually was very serious about buying one and was told by many here that agood skimmer would be abetter bet

 

[downhillbiker]

i run a 36w UV sterilizer made by odyssea. i dont know that it works, but i believe it does. i dont have any parisite problems. i had ich before and now dont. it also keeps the water crystal clear because it kills any water borne algae.

 

[Kkubiak]

I had one for years and every time I changed the bulb I didn't have to clean the glass for 2 weeks at a time. It finally cracked and I didn't replace it. I haven't seen any drop off of the coralsince it came off, but I think their are awhole lot more little critter running around. I think it is good for the fish but doesn't do much to promote a reef tank.

 

[vanmo92]

I use a Coralife turbo twist 9watt. I bought it for my 20 gallon when I had it, so it is a little undersized (thought coralife says it is rated for up to 125 gallons). Right now the bulb is burned out and I have not yet forked over $30 for a new one. But I do notice a difference in the water clarity when I change the bulb. I think they are beneficial. Though I might put it on a timer to only run 12/24.

 

[racksteris]

I use a 40 watt Lifegard Ultraviolet Sterilizer on my 55 gallon reef, Which I started about 3 months ago. I don't any parisite problems and my water stay very clear. I do think it heats up my tank because my chiller runs a lot when its on. No algae problems...

 

[phurst]

I have a 25w Gamma unit plumbed into the return after the chiller. I noticed a definite difference in water clarity, and I have to wipe down the glass much less often. I didn't get it to control parasites or ich, nor would I expect it to. As long as you know what it can and can't do, and are looking for the benefits it can reasonably provide (i.e, it's not going to cure your ich), then go for it.

 

[downhillbiker]

some people dont get control of parasites because they have too much flow over the uv. if you slow down the flow rate by putting it in parallel with 2 valves you can increase the kill rate. several things contribute to kill rate including wattage, diameter of unit, and contact time. longer unit, more contact, slower flow, more contact, twist around, more contact. there are many methods to achieve this and i just use a high wattage, long unit, with fully adjustable flow rates due to the valves and plumbing.

 

[Hop]

I run a 40 watt unit on the feed of my skimmer. I feel it benefits my system and the water clarity increased significantly. Since that is what I wanted to accomplish, I'm very pleased.

 

[enemec1]

thanks for the help

 

[erik1202]

Do they hurt your pod populations?

 

[downhillbiker]

not at all. at night i watch the pods litterally make my rocks look like they are crawling. pods dont really spend that much time swimming, they are land grubbers. i would say that this is a smart choice. i wouldnt go back.