Reefer's using UV sterilizer's?

[Anonymous]

How many of you use UV sterilizers on your reefs?

I was talking to the owner of a local LFS about my new reef and he ask me if I was going to use UV on it. I told him no. He said that he recently added UV's to all of his reefs at the shop and at home and his fish losses have dimenished greatly. He strongly recommends using one.

I will be buying alot of fish for my new 300G and am afraid of getting ick and whatnot.

Should I get one?

Louey

 

[WRASSER]

There are pros and cons on uv lighting, do some research on them before buying them.
I have one and IMO they do help. If the tank is going to be FOWLR, then you really dont need to worry about the cons.

 

[Anonymous]

The tank is going to be fish, SPS, and clams.

 

[liquid]

The one downside to UV is that you have to replace the bulb on a regular basis. Because of that I've considered getting an ozonator for my tank instead (but I haven't moved on it yet).

Shane

 

[Anonymous]

I think the UV bulbs only have to be replace yearly. At least that has been my experience with the UV that I have on my outdoor pond.

Of course, you may consider yearly as regular.

Louey

 

[WRASSER]

I believe it is six months, depending on how many times you turn it on and off

 

[liquid]

Of course, you may consider yearly as regular.

Anything on a recurring schedule is 'regular' to me.

Shane

 

[psuedo74]

I used one on my 120 reef for the first six months of the tanks life, and it broke-

Now its been a year without and I have not noticed any difference at all...could be that I stumbled on a good formula though, use one for your tanks predominant cycling period, then remove...just a thought-

 

[Anonymous]

psuedo74 wrote:

use one for your tanks predominant cycling period, then remove...just a thought-

I was kind of thinking the same thing. Once all fish are established I could remove it.

Louey

 

[Anonymous]

I have a 25watt Lifeguard UV on my 125gal reef. I use it mostly for water clarity....and its works well for this task.

 

[Anonymous]

hmm. Anyone think this deal looks too good to be true?

Anyone have an experience with Jebo UV's?

Louey

 

[Anonymous]

Opps.

http://cgi.ebay.com/AQUARIUM-Jebo-U...703523205QQcategoryZ46310QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[liquid]

No experience w/ Jebo's nor have I heard of them before but $18.95 shipping and handling. Yikes!

Shane

 

[Anonymous]

True about the shipping.

Most 36-40W UV cost $150. So if I could snag this one for say $50, plus $18.95 shipping, that's still a hell of a deal.

There's really not much to a UV. So I can't imagine that one out performs another by much.

Louey

Louey

 

[EmilyB]

I was just looking at one that says some place is selling the old stock that doesn't have the new features.


http://cgi.ebay.ca/Jebo-36W-UV-Ster...704404592QQcategoryZ20758QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[Anonymous]

Good catch Emily. That helps exlain why they are selling them so cheap.

Even the new model with a "buy it now" price of $99 is still much cheaper than any other brand. (of 36 watter's anyways).

 

[Tackett]

I used one on my old tank, I wouldnt suggest getting a megawattage sterilizer though, you might wind up with problems, especially with clams and SPS. A low wattage UV lamp, in conjunction with a low flow pump, is usually enough to irradicate free floating algae cells, but not enough to kill any more complex organisms, parasites sadly included. Good quarantine habits should make that inconsequential though.

What liquid said is right though, they do need replaced on schedule, but I found myself changing mine about every 8 months or so.

 

[EmilyB]

I ordered the new model. My main issue is green diatoms. (not a new tank). I do have clams so I plan to just use cautiously. You going to try one Louey? (Cuz I have no clue how to hook one up...... :lol: )

 

[Newbler]

IMO Jebo is garbage. Everyone I have ever spoken to about them hates them. It's a pitty because the tanks they put out are really sharp looking. All acrylic and have filtration in the hood like the Eclipse tanks. Only problem is they fall apart. If you are going to hook one up monitor it closely. I had an ESU UV on 2 of my tanks at different times and the quartz housing failed on both of them and shocked the heck outa my tanks! I got a zap on my 75 but was clued in on the second go around and noticed my corals acting goofy like they did on the 1st attempt.

With UV's I'm afraid you get what you pay for and anything cheap is going to be a let down.

LOL, just went to their site to get a link for a pic of a room divider tank I really liked and the darn site is down. BUY USA!

http://www.jebo.com.cn/

 

[Anonymous]

EmilyB wrote:

You going to try one Louey? (Cuz I have no clue how to hook one up......

I think I am. They are easy to hook up. Just run a flexible hose from the pump to the UV then back to the sump.

Louey