UV on a reef tank?

[JLAudio]

I have a uv sitting around and was wondering if I should run on my reef?

I am aware that it kills good/bad without discrimination, but wondering if it would be advantageous at all

 

[NYreefNoob]

uv doesnt kill ick,

 

[JLAudio]

I dont have ich in my tank.

I was asking about what benefits it serves besides that in comparison to its detrimental effects

 

[KathyC]

It's personal choice, imo... I wouldn't add one to a reef tank..for the reasons you outline.

 

[ZZROCOOL]

I have a uv sitting around and was wondering if I should run on my reef?

I am aware that it kills good/bad without discrimination, but wondering if it would be advantageous at all

give it a shot. 3 weeks on 3 weeks off and watch your water quality! I added on and it caused a crash in any algae and makes the water sparkle

 

[Aqua Pro Builder]

Depends on the ratio of the power versus flow and volume of tank. If set properly, it can kill the swimming phase of the ick. That's main way importers and distributors(good ones) keep their fish low in ick infections. It does doe skill the ones inside their bodies but it keep it from spreading to other fish. I know of an importer that runs UV wattage more than the pumps' wattage. I also know of a member here use it to lower the algae in the water column whenever he has an algae bloom.

 

[o0jmadr0x0o]

My water clarity has definitely improved since adding one, thats the only difference i have noticed so far.

 

[Chris5]

what brands are you guys using?
Also ever hear of the submarine UV submersible light ? Looks like a Seo ....

Thinking of using one as well to clear a nasty algae bloom ...
Works on my pond, why cant the same principle be applied to my tank (with the green water) ..

 

[Aqua Pro Builder]

what brands are you guys using?
Also ever hear of the submarine UV submersible light ? Looks like a Seo ....

Thinking of using one as well to clear a nasty algae bloom ...
Works on my pond, why cant the same principle be applied to my tank (with the green water) ..

If you tank is small, I have the 9W submersible UV filter combo

 

[Chris5]

are you selling this? I have a 20g
If it would be sufficient enough, pm with the details!

 

[KathyC]

Chris - yup..9watts would be very helpful on your tank especially considering the sheer volume (sorry..lol) of algae that you have in there!

 

[lunner]

I am running an Emperor Smart UV 2025, 25W lamp, on a 55 SPS tank for about a year now. It is doing ok. Just make sure your GPH through the UV matches what you are trying to kill. The Lower the GPH, the more contact time, and higher the killing power. Mine feed from a split off the skimmer output.

 

[Jasonanatal]

Jlaudio, you could definitely take the approach that I took. Just as everyones says Ultraviolet Light will definitely improve water quality and also indescriminately kill everything that passes through it (given the ratio of Ultraviolet Exposure to water flow and water volume). I have a 25 watt Ultraviolet Sterilizer setup on my 29 gallon Nano Cube HQI Quarentine Aquarium from now on everything that I purchase will havea new home in their for 1 month minimum before being added to my 150 gallon display. It is my personal opinion though that in this type of setup the benfits outway the negatives. I am still in deep thought if I want to add Ultraviolet to my 150 for the sole purposes of killing free floating algae (this is also based on the ratio as well).

 

[lamaseta17]

i use a cheap jebo uv on my tank and it always looks crystal clear and never had ick in my tank .... preety cool

 

[JLAudio]

After all the deliberation, I beleieve I will get the proper hose adapter and run it inline with my phos reactor, to help out a little. I have minimal algae and no ich, but clarity is always good. I think im going to go X amount on/X amount off, to get the best of both worlds.

 

[Chris5]

I would love to see how you do that (running it inline with the phos reactor) since i am thinking about doing the same ... what kind of pump would you be using (the one from the phos reactor)?

Also if you could post pics if you do it, would be appreciated since i am tossed between getting the submersible UVC or a turbo twist ...

Whats the Wtts per gallon ratio?

 

[JLAudio]

I had a bad experience with submersible and would suggest running an inline one. As for running inline, all you need is one pump that would feed through phos reactor, then get an hose adapter and connect to uv and then water returns to sump/tank.

Obviously all the ratio stuff and flow rate should be considered. I am not that concerned because I dont have really any reason that I need it, Its just in my closet from a previous tank I bought and figured it will improve clarity a little which cant hurt