UV Sterilizers - Good or Bad?

[KennyZush]

What does the membership think…Is a UV Sterilizer a good idea for a reef tank? I have heard that they can be more harm than good to a reef needing bacteria and organisms to grow.

I have just found that the one in the tank that I inherited (90g)was not working. I have pulled it out and I am trying to decide if it should be replaced…

Any thoughts?

Kenny Z.

 

[IrradiatedReef]

I have only seen them used in outdoor ponds and indoor fountains. Cant say I know anyone using one on a reef tank. I have heard of people using them on fish only tanks though.

 

[mfisher2112]

I'd say if it wasn't working and your tank is healthy, don't fix what aint broke! ;D (er, or what is broke in this case ;D )

We use a UV sterilizer on our freshwater system at "the store", but that is because it is over 1700 gallons and has a constant in-flux of fresh city water into the system to maintain the water volume. The water is REALLY BAD coming in from the street, but the giant system we use is designed to run on its own and just be maintained as far as cleaning and general maintenance.

Not sure what the impact would be on a saltwater system.

 

[Brian]

FWIW

I use one on my 90g, but I don't use one on my 225g. I started using it on my 90 when it was a FOWLR, I have since switched it over to a softie reef and I left it on there.

 

[Baxreefs]

I believe in UV. JMO but it knocks out a lot of floating stuff that will build up over time. Yes, it is not selective, it will kill good and bad things, but even too much of a good thing can go bad quickly.

In our small closed systems UV as a component of good filtration works IMO, I would not run a pond with out one and a reef tank with potent MH lighting is the next closest thing.

That said, my brand new 36 w turbo twist just bit it :

 

[IrradiatedReef]

Well, I talked to my boss today and this is his opinion. UV is great on any tank. What matters is how it is hooked up. Yes, on a reef tank, UV will kill the goodies in your tank, but it also kills the baddies. It is not like anyone with a reef tank doesn't supplement with Marine Snow or other phytoplankton anyway!! He suggested to set the UV up as a slow flow pulled off your return pump, like you would for a refuge. This way, your not sterilizing everything, but your maintaining a "level" of sterilization. It also helps keep your fish healthier and reduces the chance of ich!!

I trust his opinion and I stand myself corrected on my previous post.

 

[pmac90]

I run a turbo twist on my 90 and only gave it a try because every fish i put in the tank got ich within days... since it's been in (inline with return pump- changed to a slower pump to make it work properly) I haven't had a fish get any visible signs of ich. Also, it is believed to keep some algeas in check. so, i say it works for me. 3 other buddies (1 in the club) run them and probably wouldn't go without them. all 4 of us run them straight through... not split and valved.

 

[pgordemer]

I am a total believer in UV as a Alage preventative, it works GREAT.

Most people have TOO much flow going through their UV. On the packaging, it will give 2 suggested flow rates, 1 for killing of Parasites and one for Algae control. Parasite control will be a lot slower giving to more UV light contact, but also raising temperature. UV will usually increase temp by about 1.5.

For most, you don't think it is doing anything, but if you have been running it for a few months, then turn it off, you will not right away its missing.

 

[eholceker]

I think a UV on a reef tank is a big waste of money. Why would you want to kill beneficial critters which feed your corals and fish? A UV will not prevent ick!!! All it does is make your water more clear. If you have a reef tank you should be doing water changes regularly so this should be a non-issue. I would consider running one on a fish only tank though. Has anyone ever thought that by exposing bacteria to high intense lighting some types of mututations may occur, which may be detrimental to a tank? Think of a nuclear powerplant or something.

 

[Baxreefs]

For most, you don't think it is doing anything, but if you have been running it for a few months, then turn it off, you will not right away its missing.

Mine's been off a little over a week and I can see fine algal growth that usually isn't an issue.

Yes, it kills some good stuff, but I think it kills more bad. It does warm the water but so do lights and pumps, a chiller handles it. I run it at the slowest recommended flow.

 

[eholceker]

if your phosphates and nitrates are at 0 algea will not grow.

 

[Baxreefs]

My PO4 & nitrates test zero ... You can still get algae with zero PO4 & nitrates

There are lots of reasons we get algae, and running a UV does not only address algae, although it does address algae very well. It addresses fish health and water clarity which yields happy corals.

The short of all of this is, all systems are different and UV will benefit some systems more than others. But I dare say it will benefit most systems, except the most nutrient deprived systems IMO.

 

[eholceker]

your po4 is at 0 because whatever algea is growing is sucking out the small amount of phospahtes in the water? Out of curiousity how does a UV promote fish health? I actually used to run a uv on my reef and stopped. Since then 'I have gotten better coral growth and color.

 

[Baxreefs]

UV holds water borne fish ailments such as ick in check.

 

[eholceker]

How would it keep ick in check? The only way it can do that is if all the parasites go through the U.V. If one stupid little bugger crusteacean stays in the water column, it can multiply into thousands.

 

[concept3]

Hey Kenny, how long have you been running the tank and how long has the UV stopped working? I mean for what it's worth, you can always try replacing it and see if it benefits you as all tanks are completely different from one another, there are plenty ways to skin a cat if you know what I mean. Worst case scenario, you can always put it off line and see if it affects your tank in anyway afterwards. If you don't see any difference in your fish health and water chemistry, you can always sell the thing you know?

Personally, I have never run a UV because it's one more thing to replace (bulbs + feed pump) when it goes bad I would like to try it though..... anyone have a spare they can lend me? LOL

By the way, my fish get ick regularly (at least 2-3 times a year, but they always pull through. My secret weapon is a 3 year old Cleaner shrimp and A LOT of water movement in the tank (fish need exercise to you know.... they are probably the buffest fish in town )

 

[Brian]

I really don't notice any difference with or without it. Like I stated earlier, I have one on my 90, but not on my 225. Water in both tanks are crystal clear. I do notice a little less algae in the 90, but it has been running longer than the 225, so that could be it as well.

I originally bought it to help with some mystery disease I had when I first set up the tank. Can't say whether or not it helped with that because I kept the tank fallow for six weeks.

Like Merv said, A Cleaner is the best way to go to help with Ich. I have one in my 90 and 2 in my 225. I love watching them latch on to fish.

 

[Baxreefs]

That would be why you want to reduce the number of the little vermon in the water colum or any where you can for that matter.

It's all jusyt a matter of opinion. It's all about adding neutrient and exporting neutrient in a balanced fasion. It can be done many ways.

Coming form a fresh water background, UV works to control algae and water borne whatever, it works in salt water too. Our refugiums, if they are helthy, kick out plenty more water borne whatever IMO. I use UV and my system is crawling with pods and small amounts of healthy algae. Good skimmers pull more out of the water than UV.

 

[Phyl]

Like so many things in the hobby... there are as many opinions as options.

 

[KennyZush]

This has been great discussion...Thanks for all the feedback.
I really don't have any real problems...
No disease, no nitrate or nitrite, phosphate or otherwise,
The only thing I do have is a lot of brown algae all over my rocks.
If I could get that to go away with the UV Sterilizer, even if I ran it intermittently, I think it would be worth it.

Kenny Z.