UV on a SPS tank

[Mark C]

Get out of town!

I gave up trying to explain/debate/clarify that, even to the hobby "experts". It seemed like I was the only person that knew that and no one else would even believe it.

Hmmm... I guess they are looking in the wrong places? I have found all kinds of research backing this us lately, but it has been through drinking water research to control microbially growth in distribution systems. I have found all kinds of cool information in Water Research as many as many other Environmental engineering publications. Here is the quote from an abstract...

"UV irradiation at a wavelength of 253.7 nm is commonly used for drinking water disinfection. UV radiation is known to convert organically combined phosphorus to orthophosphate and to degrade natural organic matter. We studied if UV disinfection increases the amount of microbially available forms of organic carbon and phosphorus in drinking waters with different characteristics, and if these changes in water chemical quality could enhance the microbial growth in drinking water..."

From Water research 37 (2003) 1064-1070. Authored by Lehtola, et al.

Pretty decent doses of UV are required for efficient conversion, but I do think that UV sterilizers have more importance for reef systems than anybody ever wants to give credit for. I have plenty of other studies on this and reltated studies as well.

 

[guitargod6453]

What about just using a UV on the water before it goes in the tank like your RO trashcan just hook it up in their?
Any insite on that, I have LPS and my system and I have fear of hurting them?

 

[Bomber]

Hmmm... I guess they are looking in the wrong places?

I didn't give them that much credit. I accused them of not bothering to look at all. LOL

increases the amount of microbially available forms of organic carbon

Here's one for you. Knowing that Ca is not limiting below NSW levels and that carbon is, what do you think of that?

Pretty decent doses of UV are required for efficient conversion

Less than it takes to neuter parasites though.

but I do think that UV sterilizers have more importance for reef systems than anybody ever wants to give credit for.

I know they do.

 

[Bomber]

What about just using a UV on the water before it goes in the tank like your RO trashcan just hook it up in their?
Any insite on that, I have LPS and my system and I have fear of hurting them?

Why would running a UV hurt your LPS?

 

[kpk]

Hey Mark C whats goin on.

I noticed that after adding the sterilizer is quite a bit clearer than w/o it and only the ozone. The skimmer has really started to produce too. Green nasty murk.

Bomber or Mark. I am running a dual stage ca reactor and last night my ca was down to 7.6. After realizing it I ran a tube down the outlet and up through to the bubbles the skimmer is producing. After about an hour my ph got back up to 7.8 then 8.0 this morning. Is it ok to do this? BTW it is a euro-reef cs6-1.

I guess the real ? is will it precipitate the ca/alk out with the co2 or anything?

Thanks,
Kyle

 

[guitargod6453]

I thought someone said that it will harm your LPS
I have more questions though

Can you not dose phytoplankton while using the UV?

 

[Bomber]

Kyle

I don't run a Ca reactor, but I always wondered about that same thing and why people didn't run it through the skimmer.


I wouldn't dose phyto at all, but if you do and you know it's alive for sure, then I would turn off the UV. Most systems produce a lot of phyto on their own and it's a great way to skim out phosphate.

 

[swiftwing7]

What are some good brands of UV sterilizers to consider?

 

[Bomber]

I like Emperor Aquatics. (shrug)

 

[swiftwing7]

Where can i get these online?

 

[Bomber]

Aquatic Ecosystems is one I know of.

 

[Mark C]

Here's one for you. Knowing that Ca is not limiting below NSW levels and that carbon is, what do you think of that?

I didn't know that... So you're saying that many aqauariums are not getting very good growth due to a lack of AOC, and not the ca/alk levels like everyone believes?

 

[Mark C]

Hey Mark C whats goin on.

I noticed that after adding the sterilizer is quite a bit clearer than w/o it and only the ozone. The skimmer has really started to produce too. Green nasty murk.

Bomber or Mark. I am running a dual stage ca reactor and last night my ca was down to 7.6. After realizing it I ran a tube down the outlet and up through to the bubbles the skimmer is producing. After about an hour my ph got back up to 7.8 then 8.0 this morning. Is it ok to do this? BTW it is a euro-reef cs6-1.

I guess the real ? is will it precipitate the ca/alk out with the co2 or anything?

Thanks,
Kyle

Don't be surprised if your skimmate starts getting a real dark black and crusty.

Personally, I dont know about using ozone in euro-reefs. I think that Euro-reef recommends against it, but I am pretty sure that the acrylic they are made out of is pretty ozone resistant.

 

[Bomber]

Here's one for you. Knowing that Ca is not limiting below NSW levels and that carbon is, what do you think of that?

I didn't know that... So you're saying that many aqauariums are not getting very good growth due to a lack of AOC, and not the ca/alk levels like everyone believes?

and what's the prime consumer of carbon in marine environments? and what does a UV do? and produces what type of carbon as a result of that?

 

[joefish]

Hey Bomber I feel like I'm following you .

What kind of water flow you putting through that 80W HO? I'm looking into the 40watter and was wondering what flow to use for our pupose of use ?

Here I go again more ?'s .

 

[MacnReef]

My chiller is made to have upto two 25w UV's in it. So I am getting those and see how they work. I think 50 watts on a 180 will be enough.

Mike

 

[Mark C]

and what's the prime consumer of carbon in marine environments? and what does a UV do? and produces what type of carbon as a result of that?

I am assuming phyto/algae. Sterilizes phyto and waterborne algae along with converting organic phosphate to orthophosphate. More AOC is produced. Just to make sure I am following.

 

[Mark C]

I guess that is a pretty good method at keeping corals well fed, heh?

 

[mikeo1210]

- then there's the whole organic/phosphate thing but don't ask me it's too much to explain -

Sorry and not asking for all the specifics but I read of someone who lost a whole tank of exotics to "organic phosphates". Is UV one thing that can help in preventing this?

NM, I think I found the answer to that after actually reading the thread

Too bad there wasn't a Salifert kit for organic phosphates. Maybe that's impossible.

Hey Bomber I feel like I'm following you .

Me too, I just thought after the ozone setup I was done spending $ on my tank for a while. This has been a good read so far.

 

[Mark C]

Sorry and not asking for all the specifics but I read of someone who lost a whole tank of exotics to "organic phosphates". Is UV one thing that can help in preventing this?

I dont know how phosphate can kill a fish, but maybe extremely elevated levels it is possible? Yes, a UV, provided it has a large enough dose (C x t) can convert organic phosphate to orthophosphate. Organic phosphate is bound and generally can not be sequestered, until it is eventually released (tank crash). Orthophosphate can be sequestered by fish, algae, zoox, etc...