Bad things about running UV on reef?

What are some of the downfalls or bad things about running a UV sterilizer on a reef tank? I know some of the good things are no more ich and helping get rid of nuiscance algae.

 

kills off good stuff too, but I'd only use one incase of an Ich outbreak, not all the time.

 

So would you just run one for 4-5 weeks to cover the ich cycle or here and there during the life cycle?

What are some good things it kills? Pods? Inverts? Will it hurt my shrimp, snails, crabs, or starfish?

 

kills beneficial bacterias you can't see and yeah, just when you see an outbreak until it's over, which won't take long(1-4 weeks). never noticed mine killing off my inverts though. I never get ich anymore and don't even know where my uv is.

let me add. if you are getting ICH alot, then there is something else causing your fish stress. ICH is a parasite and stressed fish are more prone to attacks.

 

I think I'm going to have to invest in one. My powder blue tang has had ich off and on very lightly for a little while now. About 2 weeks ago my controller fried and the temp on the tank elevated from 78 constantly to about 82 for 2 days. Didn't catch it right away but ever since then my Powder blue has been infested with ich. Now it's spread to my other fish which never showed signs of it until this last outbreak. My wife called a little bit ago and said the powder blue died today. Don't want to lose anything else. I've had a hard way to go with this tank lately.

What size UV would be good for a 180? Would a 9 watt work or would I need something like a 15 watt?

 

I ran one a long time ago. Still had ick problems with Tangs. Then one day I noticed the bulb had failed. didn't know when but noticed 0 change in the tank.

J

 

awww I'm sorry to hear that!!!! I'd go with a 15 watt. blast those little buggers! If you got one today, you should see an improvement in your fish in a few days. kinda like taking penicillin..it takes a few takes to kick in.

 

What brand do you run Cuttingras?

 

when I did use it....Via Aqua. It came with my first p.s. built in. I could turn it off and on when I wanted to....wish I knew where it was, I'd send it to ya!

 

I went ahead and ordered an 18 watt Coralife. I read some mixed reveiws on them so we'll see.

Good news is I tossed my buddies stuff out this weekend so I've got my QT tank back. Nothing else will go in my tank without spending at least 4 weeks in fishy jail!