UV vrs Algae Scrubber

[JMorris271]

Is the end result the same?

 

[OllieNZ]

Is the end result the same?

No, they do very different things.

 

[Minkota]

In my opinion, No.

UV, while it will kill algae is not designed as an algae eliminator. It is more to control parasites and such.

An Algae Scrubber is strictly designed to grow algae in an area away from the display tank similar to a refugium.

 

[Reef Frog]

Algae scrubbers remove nutrients and out compete the pest algae growing in the display tank.

UV may kill or sterilizes, bacteria, free floating phyto & zooplankton but any algae growing on a surface will go on happily growing as long as it's getting the nutrients and light it needs.

 

[JMorris271]

In my opinion, No.

UV, while it will kill algae is not designed as an algae eliminator. It is more to control parasites and such.
A UV unit needs a higher wattage output to function as a sterilizer which is a step above the function of a uv used to only kill algae spores

An Algae Scrubber is strictly designed to grow algae in an area away from the display tank similar to a refugium.

Thanks. So is the the purpose of the scrubber to consume the nutrents that algae needs to grow?

 

[Minkota]

So is the the purpose of the scrubber to consume the nutrents that algae needs to grow?

Correct!

 

[Minkota]

The scrubber is an easier way to export the nutrients. As the algae grows you remove it from the scrubber which in turn exports the nutrients out of the system