UV Sterilizer good for Reef Tank?

[brianryan8]

Hi everyone. I have a 100 gal reef tank which has SPS and LPS corals.
I am currently running an Aqua 25W uv sterilizer.

Some people I've read to say that this would not be good for a
Reef tank.. Is this true??!!

I use it to reduce the algae bloom in the tank and kill and bad bacteria and any fee-floating parasites.

 

[ddwatson]

I run one in my 125 reef. 45watt. That wattage should be no problem depending on your flow rate. The flow rate accompanied with the wattage dictates exactly whether you are clarifying or sterilizing. I am no expert but have done a lot of research because of the same concern. The fact is in most cases you would have to have a pretty large UV at just the right flow rate to kill all of the beneficial bacteria in your water column. Google your brand along with Flow rate instructions. it will give you an idea if you should be concerned. My guess is that you are clarifying more than sterilizing and should have no real concerns. I am sure someone with much more experience than my 3 years can chime in and agree or disagree I will be following.

 

[robertcedgar]

Actually, I find it unnecessary in my reef. I have an extremely stable system with the same fishes for over five years. When I had a high bioload 225 FOWLR predator tank, I used a UV Sterilizer, however, as multiple large pooping fish tended to create potential disease issues. Now, with a stable system, I find it unnecessary......

 

[shonc182]

I use a UV Sterilizer, but have never felt like I have a way to quantify how effective it actually is.