gawf4fun Posted January 30, 2010 Share Posted January 30, 2010 UV Sterilizer...Downside? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- My 180 has been running for 3+ years now. For the last 2 months or so, I've been bothered by a brown algae that started appearing on my rocks and substrate after adding an additional 20 pounds of substrate. My parameters are mostly fine with my nitrates just a little high. I've got an old 15 watt Aquanetics UV sterilizer that came with a bunch of equipment I purchased when setting up the tank. I bought a new bulb for it and I'm just wondering if there is any downside to running it in my system. I'm thinking it may assist in fighting the diatom bloom, but I don't want to risk doing anything particularly detrimental to the system. Any ideas from the pro/anti UV Sterlilizer groups? Thanks for your help. Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snowpunk Posted January 30, 2010 Share Posted January 30, 2010 the only downside I know of is the cost of the unit. you have that covered. I know when I started to run mine I noticed the water got even more clear then it already was and things started to look healthier... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nwcoralfarm Posted January 30, 2010 Share Posted January 30, 2010 The real downside to running a reef and a UV sterilizer is that your tank thrives off of the bacterias in it and your sterilizer will clear out any and all seen by it. I recommend using it for limited hours or just when things start to need it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gawf4fun Posted January 31, 2010 Author Share Posted January 31, 2010 OKay then, thanks for the replies guys. I'll hook it up and see what happens. Hopefully things will look healthier and I can then take it off line again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pledosophy Posted January 31, 2010 Share Posted January 31, 2010 The real downside to running a reef and a UV sterilizer is that your tank thrives off of the bacterias in it and your sterilizer will clear out any and all seen by it. I recommend using it for limited hours or just when things start to need it. A UV will only kill what passes though it, which will not be much of the beneficial bacteria as most of it is benthic. A UV will kill or sterilize the pods that go through it. Make sure to use a prefilter before the UV. You also need the appropriate amount of gallons per hour for the unit. Running to much water, or not enough is also bad. IME they are a benefit for somethings but I don't use on unless it is on a fish propagation setup. JMO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madmike Posted January 31, 2010 Share Posted January 31, 2010 ^^^^^ I agree with what he said, bacteria are living on the substrate and rocks, a UV will not effect these. I run almost 100 watts of UV on my system and everything seems to be thriving. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nwcoralfarm Posted January 31, 2010 Share Posted January 31, 2010 That is true but is not to say that you dont kill off good bacteria as well as bad which is why I suggested running for limited hours. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nwcoralfarm Posted January 31, 2010 Share Posted January 31, 2010 NOt to mention that you generally dont need one running all the time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grassi Posted January 31, 2010 Share Posted January 31, 2010 I will go for an ozonizer with a controller instead. You can keep your redox potential high, if you need, with no risk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nwcoralfarm Posted January 31, 2010 Share Posted January 31, 2010 NOw were tankin, just gas em out. Ozone is terribly effective and I don't know of any downsides as long as it is done right. That doesn't mean there aren't any downsides though, HA! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CA2OR Posted January 31, 2010 Share Posted January 31, 2010 I run my UV 24/7 and haven't experienced an issue yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grassi Posted January 31, 2010 Share Posted January 31, 2010 Problem is that from a UV point of sight there isn't any differentiation between good and bad. It will damage or kill everything that is small. I think It can run well but really depends on your setup, so it is very difficult to tune it up to your needs. And in the process of finding the right way to use it, you could create more damage that what you want to avoid/prevent, like killing most of your "good guys". You can find a lot of informations about UV, ozone and redox in general: Calfo, Moe, Thiel for example are a good source. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CA2OR Posted February 1, 2010 Share Posted February 1, 2010 I will say I run my UV pull in right next to my return pump which is after my foam divider so I am just hoping that the foam is keeping my pods and such from getting into that chamber. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danik Posted February 3, 2010 Share Posted February 3, 2010 ozone won't help you with fighting ich, but uv light will? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TankIt Posted February 3, 2010 Share Posted February 3, 2010 UV and Ich Yes Uvs work aginst Ich in its free swimming form. Ich is actually a parasite that goes through stages of development like every other living thin. Once they hatch from the cycts (white spots you see on fish) they are fee swimming. This is how they are passed from fish to fish. I believe if I remember right the life cycle is like 3 weeks. Running a UV on your tank kills everything that passes through it including free swimming ich. I think it was something like runn a UV for 3 months on the infected tank to ensure complete clearing of the outbreak. depending on water temperature the cysts could take up to 2 months to hatch in colder water..... Don't quote this but I am pretty sure I am very close. Its been a long time since I had to deal with Ich. I prefer the cleaner shrimp method:D. I did used to run a UV sterilized on my tank and every once in a while I get a wild hair and through it on for a couple of weeks. I do notice a small difference in algae growth if I am running it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grassi Posted February 3, 2010 Share Posted February 3, 2010 I see it as a great way to cure diseases. But if you run it 24/7, as a prevention, it could be more dangerous than useful, unless you keep your tank always under strict control Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jgf86123 Posted February 3, 2010 Share Posted February 3, 2010 The absolute best way to cure ich in your display is to leave it fish free for 6 weeks and keep all of your fish in QT at a salinity of 1.008 I believe it is at that point, you will be ich free for good, as long as you continue to QT any and all new fish you add Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.