8w UV filter is it a good buy?

[ecupcar]

I have come across an 8w UV filter and wanted to know if you thought it was a good buy... I cant seem to find any on the web, its an Aquanetics and it seems they are out of business, but bulbs and parts are still available.

I was able to borrow it from my LFS and if i want to purchase its $100.00.

I used it on my 50g FW cichilid tank and have never seen the water so crystal clear. I am pretty sure i don't want to use it on the reef setup, but could come in handy if ich or other suspended 'stuff' gets trapped in the water column.

Would really appreciate your thoughts...

[Loverotties]

What size tank?

[ecupcar]

The main tank is 75, the fuge is a 20 long (overhead) and the sump is between 5-10 gallons. So in total about 100g.

This is mostly a frag setup, 50% is all egg crate and frags, the other half is live rock and reef type stuff...

I really don't plan on running it full time, only when i want to clear 'something' up.

I have found new online for a little over $100 plus shipping, so this is no screaming deal, but i cannot believe the results on the FW tank...

[Loverotties]

8W is small and since your not running all time(why?) I wouldn't get it.

[ecupcar]

I guess i dont know why i wouldn't run it all the time... it worked really well on the cichlid tank (50g) after 1 week. So i stopped, to see if the discolored water comes right back (kind of a test).

I am very good about weekly 10% water changes on both tanks, so my water quality is about as good as i can get it. But as the tanks are maturing, carbon alone does not seem to be keeping a high level of clarity.

[chrisd]

if your not going to run it all the time its worthless. besides i would not buy a uv light thats not in production anymore when for about $100 dollars you can buy a new one. and 8w is not going to be strong enough you would need at least 25w for a hundred gal. on your reef