UV Sterilizer and Nitrifying Bacteria

[kerrywnm1]

So does a UV sterilizer really affect the nitrifying bacteria in the tank? I have heard stories that constant UV sterilization will reduce the nitrifying bacteria load resulting in an increase in ammonia.

Thanks.

 

[Mr.Fishtank]

I don't think it does. Almost all of the bacteria that we want in our tanks live on surfaces of items that are in our tanks. Sand, liverock, pumps, basically all surfaces. I run a uv 24/7 and never had any issues. If you are concerned about bac populations you could always dose it.

 

[ComforablyNumb]

It won't. As Mr. Fishtank said, 99% of the bacteria live on surfaces, not in the water column.
That being said, I see little reason to run UV at all on a healthy reef tank.

 

[kerrywnm1]

It won't. As Mr. Fishtank said, 99% of the bacteria live on surfaces, not in the water column.
That being said, I see little reason to run UV at all on a healthy reef tank.

I had ich take my beautiful royal gramma a few weeks ago, so I installed the UV sterilizer and have been using it 24/7. I have two ocellaris clowns, a firefish and a sailfin blenny left and they seem to be doing OK as far as the ich.

 

[slief]

I don't think it does. Almost all of the bacteria that we want in our tanks live on surfaces of items that are in our tanks. Sand, liverock, pumps, basically all surfaces. I run a uv 24/7 and never had any issues. If you are concerned about bac populations you could always dose it.

+1

The important bacteria in our aquariums reside on the surfaces of our systems. Our rock, sand, and other surface areas provide the space for denitrifying bacteria to flourish.