uv sterilizers

adamman · 04-04-2005, 03:54 PM

any one use them? they worth it>?

Geoff · 04-04-2005, 04:26 PM

depends on what you think it is really for.

as a way to limit parasites, not very effective.

as a way to increase the efficiency of a protein skimmer, then extremely effective but only if it is plumbed immediately before the skimmer.

G~

Minnreefer · 04-04-2005, 04:32 PM

I don't agree with Geoff, but the size of the UV and the size of the tank really determine how effective they are. If you get a good size (expensive) one I feel that it will help control any parasite problems, and algea problems that one may have, also it is a good insurance policy. In order to have a UV work well, one needs good flow in the tank and the right GPH flow thru the UV

HTH

Jon

reefBoyDc · 04-04-2005, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geoff

as a way to increase the efficiency of a protein skimmer, then extremely effective but only if it is plumbed immediately before the skimmer.

How does a UV sterilizer improve the efficiency of a skimmer?

bad mantis shrimp · 04-04-2005, 06:43 PM

I have one plumbed and ready to go but rarely use it.

Junkzoo · 04-05-2005, 12:31 AM

As recommended by the "smart ones" here, (you know who you are Jerel), i replaced my long dead UV on my 180 FO,,,with a larger wattage UV made by AquaUV,,,,The seemingly annual problems i had with the tank disease-wise cleared up ,and so far, never to return again,,,at the time of the replacement/upsize, i was dealing with problems in the tank that nothing so far had done any good medicine-wise,and was afraid of starting to lose fish,,some of which i've had for close to 15 years,,,,,Got the AquaUV, as recommended by Jerel(Spanky) and others, installed it, and within prob 24 hrs, things were looking better for the fish,,after bouts of problems in the tank for close to a month(this time)everyone in the tank made it thru, no losses, and the fish looked/acted better than they have for a while (this could be backed up by my wife)
Now on a reef tank,,,,don't have a UV on mine yet,,but than again i was not running one on the 180 FO til i had problems i could not shake,,,
my opinion would be: it would help a system no doubt,,,a gotta have? hmmmmm,
i tend to think other stuff needs to be had for a tank b4 a UV is put in service,,,a nice skimmer, lighting etc.,,,,
Not sure if i touched upon your question,,,mebbe i did ,,,i hope,,,

aussiereefer82 · 04-05-2005, 01:19 AM

I got one for my new tank. Great things IMO and i probably wouldn't do a new tank without them. As for disease control, well my blue hippo tang gets ich every now and then and at first i panicked, but it always clears up quickly and has never spread, coincidence maybe but for me it stops me worrying.

taboo · 04-05-2005, 03:26 AM

Speaking of UVs, I just happen to come across that Via-Me Multi Skimmer at the LFS and I noticed that the deluxe models come with a 5 watt UV. Are there any negative effects of using a UV in your system? According to the box, the UV is the drop in kind. I dunno how effective or ineffective those are. I just thought I share since we are talking about UVs helping skimming.

Anyone have experience with this particular model? good? bad?

jagt48 · 04-05-2005, 04:18 AM

I have absolutely no experience with them, but I heard that they can kill some of the good bacteria in your tank along with the things you are trying to get rid of. Is that true or am I just making stuff up?

Geoff · 04-05-2005, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reefBoyDc

How does a UV sterilizer improve the efficiency of a skimmer?

when used before the skimmer any thing that is killed or broken down by the UV light will be immediately removed by the skimmer. if the UV is not before the skimmer than all of the UV killed stuff will become detritus in the tank.

UV's are a lot like Skimmers. people just do not get them big enough. this is prolly more so with UV's. they require a fairly long dwell time to be really effective. most UV's are rated based on their ability to kill suspended algae. this is not near long enough to kill parasites. the ones that are capable of doing this generally start at $200.

G~

fallen · 04-05-2005, 10:23 PM

I really would not use a UV on a reef tanks, they can help out with ich and other parasites as long as you get the right size and don't have a pump that is too powerful running and also with some algea problems, but from what I know they also kill stuff in the water that is benefical to the tank, and also I've heard the fish are more prone to disease if the light goes out after being on the tank a long time.