ozone vs uv

[chaotic]

is there a better choice for BB?

[mantisfreak]

The answer to this question is not dependent on type of substrate or lack thereof.

UV is often set up improperly by hobbiests. They aren't using a large enough wattage or they are running water through it too fast or they are running real dirty water through it. (Carbon use is HIGHLY recommended so that the water is clear enough for UV to penetrate it fully). However, there's no danger to your tank if you set it up improperly.

Ozone is absolutely amazing but make sure you have an ORP monitor. A mistake with this can be dangerous to a tank.

With all of the above said, they are somewhat designed for different things. UV is to kill free-floating algae spores and parasites when they are in a free-floating stage.

Ozone is to break up numerous types of gelbstoff and produce cleaner water.

[Loverotties]

I agree with Curt.Their designed to do different things.

[Twitterbait]

while the design is different i recommend UV whereas i never recommend Ozone due to the dangers of killing your tank

[chaotic]

so what would be a good choice for a 70g tank + 30g sump/fuge?

this is what I picked out based on a catalog:

Aqua UV 25w, which I could run inline with an eheim 1260 return pump.

Yes or no?

[boxfishpooalot]

If your goal is to clear the water UV will do nothing for this. You need to use carbon combined with ozone to really polish the water up.

However, water changes are better because ozone does not actually remove the substance but instead degrades the portion that gives it color. What actually happens to that organic that is colorless is unknown.

Some people say that carbon is all you need to clear the water. I dont know for sure, but in a bb tank ozone is not needed. Because you lack all the sand that creates most of the gelbestoff(yellowing color).

Uv is not for removing colors in water. There are some that do, such as bulbs that produce 185nm wavelenght, while most sold to hobbists are in the 254nm wavelenght. The purpose is to kill bacteria. Most uv lights are very poor at killing bacteria due to high flow rates. But they will work with slower flow rates or higher wattage units.

So imo dont buy uv, or ozone. Just use carbon and change it monthly. 1tbls of carbon per 5 gallons is a good start.

[Twitterbait]

Skimming is the most effecient cleaner for the tank. if you have fish then use UV but keep the flow rate below the manufacturers recommendation.