Thinking of getting a uv sterilizer....

Discussion in 'Filters, Pumps, etc..' started by siidman, Mar 29, 2014.

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  1. siidman

    siidman Bristle Worm

    Joined:
    May 16, 2009
    Messages:
    136
    Location:
    Abq, New Mexico
    As the title says I'm thinking if getting a uv sterilizer. I have a 180g that's been going through a bacteria bloom for a few weeks now with no end in sight and it's driving me crazy. I'm ready to start adding coral but I'm waiting til the water clears up. I've read that using a uv sterilizer will clear this up and many people have done this. I see they're only about 150 for on that is suited to my tank size. Any thoughts on this, any thing negative about using one or anything?
    Thanks
     
    siidman, Mar 29, 2014
    siidman, Mar 29, 2014
    #1

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  2. Mr. Bill

    Mr. Bill Native Floridian

    Joined:
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    USA
    I'm not an advocate of UV sterilizers by any stretch of the imagination; not that they do any harm, just that I believe the expectancy and (mis)representation is more than a little ambitious.

    That said, a bacterial bloom just might be the one condition where it would actually work. You'll need to research the required exposure and adjust your flow rate accordingly.
     
    Last edited: Mar 30, 2014
    Mr. Bill, Mar 30, 2014
    Mr. Bill, Mar 30, 2014
    #2
  3. ingtar_shinowa

    ingtar_shinowa Giant Squid

    Joined:
    Jun 13, 2009
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    Location:
    Billings Montana
    I like UV units. Make sure to get one sized well to your tank and apply appropriate flow rate.
     
    ingtar_shinowa, Mar 30, 2014
    ingtar_shinowa, Mar 30, 2014
    #3
    1 person likes this.
  4. Todd_Sails

    Todd_Sails Giant Squid

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    4,732
    Location:
    A Texan in S.E. Wisconsin
    YOu can find good, spirralled units on Ebay for real cheap.- If I bought another- that's where I'm going.

    FWIW

    I am running one, havement replaced the bulb in well over a year, and haven't cleaned the glass tube in about the same.
    I't's got a small sight window- I now it's still on though.
     
    Todd_Sails, Mar 30, 2014
    Todd_Sails, Mar 30, 2014
    #4
  5. dienerman

    dienerman Corkscrew Tentacle Anemone

    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2011
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    Location:
    West Chester, Pennsylvania
    I will be interested to hear how things go with the UV light. Most of the articles that I have read discuss using UV for ich and have not been very favorable. The argument against them was that there was not enough dwell time vs flow to be able to destroy the ich. Obviously bacteria is a bit different and my not require the same dwell time. It is a technology used in water treatment plants specifically for bacteria so obviously there is something to it. If you could post exactly what you did with your set up including the type of light, flow rate and anything else you thing is important it could certainly help others here including myself!
     
    dienerman, Mar 31, 2014
    dienerman, Mar 31, 2014
    #5
  6. Ballgame

    Ballgame Millepora

    Joined:
    Dec 27, 2013
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    946
    Location:
    Philadelphia, PA
    Love my UV. It's also good piece of mind because I don't have a QT tank. So I know nothing on an incoming fish will get on existing fish in my tank
     
    Ballgame, Apr 21, 2014
    Ballgame, Apr 21, 2014
    #6