Who uses UV sterilizers???

[shawn1111111111]

I have perfect water conditions including 0 nitrates, but I am starting to see some algee. I use RO 2X DI filtered water and do frequent water changes. I have had a algee problem once before, but that was from using water that was not filtered as top off water (that wont ever happen again) What Im wondering is if a UV sterilizer would help this problem.

 

[Hop]

Probably no.

You likely have phosphates bound up in the rock and sand. In addition, the algae is using up the organic phosphates, making the tests appear to be zero.

The UV if big enough and having the proper flow rate will kill the algae spores that make their way through the UV, but will do nothing for what is in the tank.

 

[SeanT]

Yes and no.

An UV will help your skimmer perform more efficiently.

Having said that, the algae is being fueld from some soure of phosphate.
And more importantly than your skimmer performing better is finding and eliminating the source.
Whether it is leeching from your rock, substrate, overfeeding, lack of export or a combination of all three plus.
Tell me more about your system.
Equipment, substrate live rock history etc.
A pic of the tank would help as well.


BTW


<img src="/images/welcome.gif" width="500" height="62"><br><b><i><big><big>To Reef Central</b></i></big></big>

 

[shawn1111111111]

Thank you for the information. I have never been told anything about phosphate levels and don't even have a test for it so I guess I will have to go by one today. I just changed out aquariums I had a 35g and changed to a 46g and I added 30lbs of cured live rock and new live sand. I also changed from power compact lighting to the nova extreme T-5. All my coral and fish are doing great. The algee is very slow growing, and leaves a dust like algee on the glass. This just started and the tank has been up and running for about 1 month. Thank you for the advise I guess I will be driving to the LFS today after class. I will post up what the level is when I check it. Thanks again,
Shawn

 

[shawn1111111111]

OK well i bought a phosphate test today and it tested negative. The guy at the fish store said that it does not mean anything and that I could still have phosphates in my tank because there are several types of phosphates. Anyway new problem I noticed today was that it looks like my RODI filter has the algee in it also and the DI resin looks almost black. Has anyone else ever had this problem and what can I do to fix it. Its only about 2 months old at most. The water supply in off a houose that is 2 years old and has city water. Any input would be great. Thanks

 

[kaiser]

You might want to check with the DI manufacturer, but this stuff turns different colors as it gets used. When it completely changed color it's time to replace it.

 

[shawn1111111111]

Yea I have a email into the people I bought it from and hopefully they will let me know something soon. I understand that the resin should change colors, but i dont think it should change that fast. plus the carbon and sediment filters have a small amount of the green algee that the tank has in it. This is awful I just got ride of a algee problem and bought this filter so i did not have to buy water all the time annd now it looks like im back to buying water again for awhile.