FreakonaReef
New member
I'm sure this has been asked before, But does everyone use a UV Sterilizer on there reefs, frag tanks or just fish only tanks. What are the benifits? Is there a link to a study of this?
UV Steriler?
- Thread starter FreakonaReef
- Start date
gkyle
Premium Member
From what I can tell very few use them at all. I had a brand new one still in the box I advertised for 50% price and got zero responses on a reef forum. I have one and use it to prevent fish diseases when I introduce something new to the tank. It will kill water-borne parasites (like ich) before they can attack your fish. I've been advised by a very knowledgeable reef specialist that I absolutely shouldn't run one in a reef tank. Primary reason is that it will also kill beneficial phytoplankton and other stuff the tank needs. Some say it will kill zooplankton as well, but I'm not sure. I think if you're running a fish only tank, a sterilizer is a good investment.
Some folks use them on reef tanks, but not many. I've never felt the need for one.
I use one -- it draws water out of the sump, which then flows through the uv into my refugium, which then flows by gravity into the main tank. Frankly, I've never been sure it makes much difference, and I'm using it more out of superstition than anything.
If you really want to kill things, ozone is the way to go, and at least ozone has variable settings and can be linked to redox levels. I do use ozone when my tank is below 400mV, but only at very low levels (e.g. 5-10...never 100). When it climbs above 400, which is where it's usally at [450...but everyone's tanks are different, and redox is a controversial parameter], the ozone clicks off.
I've never been sure about the UV. Unless you've got high fish volumes and an over-powered UV sterilizer, I'm not sure they're useful. For most narrow-spectrum sterlizing bulbs, using them might do some good, but won't likely do any harm.
If you really want to kill things, ozone is the way to go, and at least ozone has variable settings and can be linked to redox levels. I do use ozone when my tank is below 400mV, but only at very low levels (e.g. 5-10...never 100). When it climbs above 400, which is where it's usally at [450...but everyone's tanks are different, and redox is a controversial parameter], the ozone clicks off.
I've never been sure about the UV. Unless you've got high fish volumes and an over-powered UV sterilizer, I'm not sure they're useful. For most narrow-spectrum sterlizing bulbs, using them might do some good, but won't likely do any harm.
If you really want to kill things, ozone is the way to go, and at least ozone has variable settings and can be linked to redox levels.
Actually, I believe that a typical UV is far more effective than ozone for killing things, at least when ozone is used as reefers typically use it. At those levels it doe snot actually sterilize the water. One can sterilize seawater with ozone, and some public marine exhibits do (like marine mammal tanks), but very few reef aquarists use anywhere near enough for that. I show that in these articles:
Ozone and the Reef Aquarium, Part 1: Chemistry and Biochemistry
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-03/rhf/index.php
Ozone and the Reef Aquarium, Part 2: Equipment and Safety
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-04/rhf/index.php
Ozone and the Reef Aquarium, Part 3: Changes in a Reef Aquarium upon Initiating Ozone
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-05/rhf/index.php
Actually, I believe that a typical UV is far more effective than ozone for killing things, at least when ozone is used as reefers typically use it. At those levels it doe snot actually sterilize the water. One can sterilize seawater with ozone, and some public marine exhibits do (like marine mammal tanks), but very few reef aquarists use anywhere near enough for that. I show that in these articles:
Ozone and the Reef Aquarium, Part 1: Chemistry and Biochemistry
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-03/rhf/index.php
Ozone and the Reef Aquarium, Part 2: Equipment and Safety
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-04/rhf/index.php
Ozone and the Reef Aquarium, Part 3: Changes in a Reef Aquarium upon Initiating Ozone
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-05/rhf/index.php
Thanks. 
Thanks.
