UV sterilizer for algae

M

Mappelbaum37

New member
Long story short, I have done every thing imaginable to my tank to help rid the tank of algae. I constantly clean the tank, and every time the algae does grow back, but it's less and less each time. Given time, I shouldn't have any problems with this, but I'm always on the lookout for something new to add to the tank. I have everything, except for one thing:

A UV Sterilizer...

I know it helps the fish, and zaps smaller particles, but I was also told that it takes out smaller bacteria that help corals live on. I'm not so sure it helps the corals too much.

Anyways, down to business, will a UV sterilizer help out the algae I have? I have greenish/brown hair algae on the rocks, and a bit of diatoms on the sand, but not much on the sand anymore. I'm more concerned with the hair algae on the rocks.

Thanks
 
no. UV is only used to kill water borne algae, such as in ponds and aquariums that make the water cloudy, but you cant actually see.

that said, i still highly recommend them and use a 36w on my 72 gallon tank. i have no parasites, and crystal clear water.
 
uv wont help with HA, but will help with algae/ bacteria in the water column.
do you have a phosphate reator?
what is your water change schedule?
how old/type of lights?
what do you have for flow?
 
-I do have a phosban reactor
-10 gal. water change a week, RO water
-just switched 2 out of 4 bulbs 2 months ago
-maxi jet 1200 w/ quick filter, koralia #3 (approx. 1100 gph)
- fluval 405 w/ chemi pure, sponges, no noodles
- octo HOB skimmer bh300f, just hooked it up 2 days ago

nitrates=0
ammonia= .25
nitrite=0
pH=8.0
phodphates= undetectable but I have algae so there are obviously still phosphates.

* water is crystal clear

I've been through all of this a million times, and I was just looking for some input on the uv sterilizer. As I hear, it wont help, so thanks for the responses. More input welcome
 
Since you only just now got a skimmer I'd say that was at least part of the problem. Also, the sponge in your filters could be contributing, especially if you're not chantging them at least once or twice a week. Rarther than investing in a HOB skimmer and a UV you'd have been much better off with a more efficient skimmer ina sump with some Chaetomorpha algae growing to assist in nutrient export. Even though you've already invested in the HOB skimmer a sump with Chaeto would be a good idea. Lastly, that's not much flow for a reef tank, depending on what you're keeping.

Lastly, I prefer larger water changes but there are many different feelings on this topic. IMO 10% every week isn't as good as 20% every couple weeks, if you do the math it'll make sense... As long as you get your parameters close to that of the tank there will be minimal stress even with larger than 20% water changes.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12483960#post12483960 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Peter Eichler
Since you only just now got a skimmer I'd say that was at least part of the problem. Also, the sponge in your filters could be contributing, especially if you're not chantging them at least once or twice a week. Rarther than investing in a HOB skimmer and a UV you'd have been much better off with a more efficient skimmer ina sump with some Chaetomorpha algae growing to assist in nutrient export. Even though you've already invested in the HOB skimmer a sump with Chaeto would be a good idea. Lastly, that's not much flow for a reef tank, depending on what you're keeping.

Lastly, I prefer larger water changes but there are many different feelings on this topic. IMO 10% every week isn't as good as 20% every couple weeks, if you do the math it'll make sense... As long as you get your parameters close to that of the tank there will be minimal stress even with larger than 20% water changes.
Click to expand...

i agree with most of what you said. i actually have a HOB filter, viaaqua multi skimmer deluxe, and it is AMAZING, pulls 1/2" of dark, thick, skimmate a day.

more flow is needed. i personally dont believe that there can be too much flow.

and water changes...i do 10% a week. and think that it is better because with good water quality, you arent so much removing bad as adding more good nutrients. so adding every week should be better, right?
 
Like I said, I've been through this entire thing a thousand times before. I appreciate all the help anyway.

-I get my ro water from an LFS, so RO I would think is good
- The new skimmer still has to break in, so I will give it time. I don't have a sump or fuge, so everything I buy must be HOB.
- I have a very small in tank fuge with some chaeto that isn't doing so great. I'm thinking of taking it out and maybe buying a fresh batch of chaeto when I can.
- I just added flow to the tank, and the corals are already being pushed hard enough by the current.

I have a friend with a 72 bowfront, and he has zero algae problems with about half my flow, same bio-load, worse skimmer. The difference is, he has a large fuge, he has a UV light, and his tank is about 2 to 3 years old so its MUCH more established then mine. Those are the only differences. Everything else is the same.
 
I agree with more flow, Get another Koralia 3 or 4. I have 2 K-4's. ( or get a mod for the Maxijet). I had a UV sterilizer in my hand that I ordered, returned it and got the Koralias. That made all the difference. I also got a pincushion urchin to chow down on the algae. Though I got rid of him when he had my new xenia in his mouth, chowing down. By that time my algae prob was licked.
 
What kind of lights do you have for your Chaeto? Mine did terrible in my sump under a CF. Tied it to a return line under my T-5's and it took off. I'm looking at getting some grow lights for my sump as soon as I finish my new skimmer, a 6" x 24" recirculating skimmer! Melev's reef has some info on good bulbs for a sump.
 
What's the colour of the lights? I've noticed significantly lower algae growth on higher Kelvin lights (14000k and up) than on lower ones (such as 6500k). Also, I find it a little weird that your NO3 is at 0 although I suppose it could be at undetectable levels I doubt it. What test kit are you using? Oh, and I know it's a pretty lame cause but I find a lot of people overlook it; natural sunlight. I find it makes algae grow like crazy. Let us know how it works out for you.
 
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