UV Sterilizer

My tank is about four months old, beginning to add corals. Should I be interested in having the UV sterilizer or not? My first fish I added after one month of cycles died with ich. Perhaps it was still too soon for them. I've had a Green Chromis for about two months with no problems. But they tend to be more resilient from what I understand. I have started getting a red algae form in small spots at different areas. The UV will help with this also I think. Just looking for some comments, concerns, suggestions is all.
Many thanks,
Nick

 

Some people use then and some dont....its kind of a debated topic as to whether or not they do anything.

They dont help/cure/prevent ick. They can prevent some algae...they make the water a little clearer.....

I run one and have since the tank has been up....not sure if it really does anything or not. I have never had a sick fish or any fish die on me yet...my water is clear. I cant take it out...."just because" and thats the truth. It hasnt done any harm....thats for sure.

So as you can see....I have one and wont get rid of it, but I am still on the fence about them....funny!

 

Some people swear by UV Sterilizers... others not. You'll get both opinions.

I am in the category of those NOT liking them. UV sterilizers do kill bad stuff sure enough... but they kill good stuff that you want in your tank as well....

M

 

Thanks guys. I have never had an algae bloom in any tank so no need to worry there perhaps. My large concern was ick but it seems if you keep the water quality up there shouldn't be concern for it. Also, the red algae I have I'm thinking is because my Green Chromis may have killed a smaller one and it took me a bit to find him to remove him. Crabs snacked on him for awhile. So Most likely because of the dead fish is why I have the small red algae. I think anyway.

 

I would also add that there are many other things to invest in a new tank that I'd rank a much higher priority.

M

 

M,
Such as what other things? As in equipment? I have the basics; heater, good PS, back filter, t5, etc...

 

Good skimmer and lights is the best place to spend money. Heater of course.

I am a big fan of sumps/refugiums with DSB and good water circulation in the DT.

I really like my aquamedic doser for Ca/Alk/Mg.

An Auto Top Off of some kind.

A BRS GFO/Carbon reactor... I run EcoBak and Carbon in mine.

A controller... I use an AC Jr.


To me, reef keeping is really all about maintaining water chemistry stability at the first level. Therefore, stuff that promotes stability is first. Everything on my list is there to give the tank water chemistry stability and consistency.

UV Sterilizers are, in my opinion, kind of like taking anti-biotics ALL the time instead of only when you need them. They don't "promote stability". Yes, they kill bad organisms, but the water chemistry in my opinion is priority #1.

 

I don't dose or add anything to the tank. Haven't yet begun testing for calc. Carbon reactor? What's that do? I have active carbon in my back filter but don't think it's needed. I simply use the original insert and rinse it periodically.

 

It depends on your goals and what you want to do with the tank. Active Carbon in the back filter and carbon reactor are accomplishing the same thing....

 

I own a Coralife 18 Watt Turbo Twist 6X UV. It worked well for awhile, till my friends over fed my tank now I'm dealing with some algae(not a lot by any means, just patches), but since having it before that it was helping keep the tank clean. I'm positive it will continue to control algae and keep the water clear after my params go down.

Now a lot of people will tell you it won't kill ich. And that's generally true, however if you have the right flow, and enough wattage, then you can effectively/theoretically kill off parasites. The problem is, you'll never know, that is unless you get ich again haha. I've never had any parasites, it's either a placebo or really working. I run my 18 watt UV at 90gph on a 90gal tank. That's about 20gph below the recommended rate for killing parasites on my model. Every model is different, but the general rule is, if it's under 15 watts, then it's not going to kill parasites.

My only beef with the corallife is the input/outputs. Mine didn't come with any brackets to tighten the tubes on so I had to buy my own, and I don't trust it to hold completely as I've knocked out one of the tubes before just by moving it around, so I need to be "delicate" with it. Other than that it's been working.