UV Sterilizer needed?

[21ducks]

Quick question,


I am wondering if it is necessary for growth, color, and general all around water quality, to run ozone and a 25 watt UV Sterilizer on a 250g tank?

This tank is nearly only for SPS

I plan on running ozone, but am unsure about the 25 watt UV Sterilizer. Any suggestions?

Thanks

Brandon

 

[NoSchwag]

A 25 watt UV might be a little small for a 250 gallon tank. I save save your money.

 

[jsweir]

No, not necessary for either. Many people have success without UV or Ozone. Just depends on what you want to do.

 

[MCsaxmaster]

Yeah, I generally wouldn't use UV on a reef tank anyway.

cj

 

[toothman]

I run a 265 gal with approx. 50 mg delivery 24/7 with great success. (the orp controller broke about a yr ago, so I turned down the level to about 11 O'clock.) It is a sps only tank.

Also really important is a abundance of live rock, like 300 lbs for a tank that size. With good flow in and around the rock.

A tank that size would be nice to have 2 tunze 6200's or 2 darts plumbed into the tank. Good luck. I also do not think a uv would be bad.

Another note if you have never run ozone yet, I think the process is interesting. When you start it up it will smell like horrible dead reef in your room, like fish the next morning. After the orp gets nice and high the odor will taper off.

 

[gnrlee]

I used UV quite a few years ago. I have been running my SPS dominate tank for 5 years now without ozone or UV lights. I am thinking about running ozone but my AP600 is keeping up quite well. If you have UV already it never hurts to use it. It will just help polish the water a little more. Noschwag is right, 25 watt is a little small, but don't let that keep you from using it if you want. Like I said it will help with polishing your water.

 

[samsfishnchips]

agree with most of the common above

21ducks,

this type of question is really based on personal opinion, nothing more, nothing less

same type of question would be
is barebottom needed to have colorful corals?

answer is no, there are different techniques, and preferences, and only you need to decide what route you would like to take

example.
Iwan Laesser's tank
Runing DSB, and loves the tank to be bacteria driving, so no ozone, nor uv

joe's tank
Running BB, and loves UV

Morten Nordby's tank
He combines all the above and more
UV, ozone, bacteria driving,

again different ways to achieve a beautiful tank

sam

 

[Myka]

wow, that first photo is AMAZING!!! Gorgeous colors! *jaw drop*