UV Sterilizer Pros and Cons?

[garcastle2]

Any Cons to running a sterilizer other than cost?

I just setup an excessive amount of sch 80 pvc to work with my new Hammerhead Gold, my aged and reliable MRC MR-2 skimmer, and whatever else I ever need to run in the future. The manifold sections will outlive me so it would be simple to add a sterilizer in.

A couple years back I had quite a takeover of algae, largely due to having a baby and having no time to fight it. After quite a bit of effort, many of the algaes are gone or well beaten down and teetering on the ropes. A sterilizer might give me that final victory over the algae?

Thanks in advance for any advice,
G.

 

[DHyslop]

The con is that it doesn't really do anything.

It will kill algae that is suspended in the water column; ie, "green water" that some freshwater tanks get. It won't affect algae that is growing on the rocks or glass.

Algae is caused by excess nutrients. Come up with a plan to eliminate them and the algae will stay away and you'll have a healthier tank.

 

[alton]

Kills too much beneficial stuff, they do work great on freshwater ponds. Lamps need to be changed every 6 months.

 

[fishgate]

Bottom line:

Those that have used them like them.

Those that have not used them don't.

 

[coralreefnc]

yep i use mine because alot of tangs

 

[alton]

Bottom line:

Those that have used them like them.

Those that have not used them don't.

Not true I had two for about two years, one 40 watt on my 200g and a 9 watt on my smaller tank. It was an experienced reef keeper who told me of all the good things that are killed because of one. I have not used one in 10 years.

 

[DHyslop]

Bottom line:

Those that have used them like them.

Those that have not used them don't.

This is a lie. I've maintained dozens of tanks professionally for years with and without UVs.

 

[garcastle2]

Thanks for all the quick input! I'll pass on it for now and work on getting my chemistry more in line, perhaps add a powerhead, and work on setting up my old 50ga as a reservoir and potential refugium.