UV sterilizers

[LoneStar45]

I'd like to get some factual feedback(Please no opinios) on the benefits and the drawbacks of UV sterilizers. I know that they can help with algae and pararsites but I've heard that they kill off good bacteria. Is this true and does the benefit of havng one outweight not having one. Im changing to a few large fish and SPS corals.

 

[Dubbin1]

They will kill anything good or bad that pass through them.

 

[LoneStar45]

Well, thats kind of my question, should I use one? Do the pros outweight the cons? Can I keep a healthy algae free tank with one. Will it hurt my biological filtration?

 

[BurntOutReefer]

You can use one, but dont expect good coraline growth either, nor ANY algae growth....the UV's are really good/great for FO /FOWLR systems........I dont think your SPS will be effected much by the UV.......

 

[tonypittman]

I use 2 of them ( a 25 W and a 9 W). I have seen no probs so far and even have coraline growth. Depends on the dynamics of your tank and how effectively you supplement w/nutrients. For me, the benefits are outweighing any downsides so far.