UV Sterilizer - do I need one?

[anna]

I am about to embark on setting up a new 75 gallon tank and am planning a mix of corals with a couple of fish. I am planning on 2x250 MH with 2x65 Actinics with a sump system.

The store I have been going to insists that a UV Sterilizer in the system is critical because I won't have an isolation tank. Any thoughts on the usefulness/impact and whether or not is is worth the extra cost. I am only planning on introducing one or two new inhabitants at a time rather than overloading the system all at once.

Thanks ahead for the help.

 

[danmhippo]

IMHO, most reef tanks does not need one. UV, even if used properly (meaning flow through rate kept low), only zaps waterborn cells. If the parasite you intend to treat does not go throught the UV, they don't get zapped.

Reef tanks rely on setting up quarantine tanks for all newly acquired specimen\s (fish, coral) as a mean of controlling the source of the pests. If the pest is already present in the tank, other methods can be taken to treat it, such as hyposalinity, nutrient control, and some light medications.

The only time I used UV is sterilizing water for phytoplankton culture. I do not recommend you getting one.

BTW, Welcome to Reefs.org (RDO).

 

[Anonymous]

In a word, no.

 

[madrefkepr]

Welcome to Reefs.Org!

I would not recommend using uv. as danmhippo pointed out, it's usefulness does not justify the cost

 

[AllenF]

You can set up a cheap 10-20 gallon tank with some SW, Crushed coral, a powerhead, small heater, and a piece of PVC pipe which can do double duty as a Quarintine tank and a hospital tank for way cheaper than a UV sterilizer. It will help you more in tx the fish than a UV also.

 

[JohnD]

Anna,

When I started in this hobby many, many years ago, my LFS also recommended a UV sterilizer. They also recommended that they replace the bulb every 6 months and to have their people do the replacement procedure. They wanted to do it so I wouldn't make a mistake and electricute myself.

You guessed it. The store employee broke at least 1 bulb every 6 months when I took the unit in for service, which, of course I had to pay. I eventually threw the unit in the garbage.

The point I am working up to is... ask the board before you do something new. After all, the LFS is probably trying to make a sale. We are here only to help. (Even if our opinions are all over the place.)

Welcome aboard!!

 

[Omni2226]

I,m curious,what,s the pvc pipe for?

 

[MartinE]

Fish like to feel secure and like a place to hide, so the PVC pipe is a good way to do it in a hospital tank.