A
Anonymous
Guest
Just trying to see the percentage of reefkeepers that use UV Sterilizers. Also, please comment your opinion on them. I don't have one and wanted to ask you guys what you think.
Just like a HEPA air filter at my house. Sure it’s nice and I’m sure it has a small effect on the spread of germs, but certainly don’t think it’s necessary. Just a nice-to-have IMO.
But on the flip side of the coin, logic would tell me that these decimate nitrifying bacteria in the water?
But on the flip side of the coin, logic would tell me that these decimate nitrifying bacteria in the water?
The nitrifying bacteria in our tanks is mostly in/on the live rock, sand and hard surfaces in the system - not so much in the water column. Personally, I've never seen any negative effects on nitrification from using a UV.
The good quality units (which are expensive) that are correctly sized for the tank and flow-through rate and are regularly maintained can have a positive effect on water clarity/quality. It's a similar (but lesser) effect to ozone use. They're also very useful for helping to contain diseases/parasites in multi-tank systems and photobacterial/algae blooms in outdoor systems.
Personally, I prefer to keep my systems as simple as possible and I don't think they're necessary or worth the added expense/maintenance on a single reef tank. I don't use them anymore (and haven't for a very long time), but IMO they do have some potential benefits.
The good quality units (which are expensive) that are correctly sized for the tank and flow-through rate and are regularly maintained can have a positive effect on water clarity/quality. It's a similar (but lesser) effect to ozone use. They're also very useful for helping to contain diseases/parasites in multi-tank systems and photobacterial/algae blooms in outdoor systems.
Personally, I prefer to keep my systems as simple as possible and I don't think they're necessary or worth the added expense/maintenance on a single reef tank. I don't use them anymore (and haven't for a very long time), but IMO they do have some potential benefits.
I recently purchased an ultraviolet classic 15W model with a wiper on a 72G tank. My water parameters were in desirable ranges but still had green microalgae on glass. Well, the one exception was the tank was too hot. UV sterilizer made an immediate huge difference. I only use mine when actinic day time lights in an attempt to preserve beneficial planktonic life which at least in the wild are more active at night.
To me the company's models are a bit expensive compared to others but the expectation is that if I use the wiper once a week I wont have to service the unit until its time to change the bulb.
To me the company's models are a bit expensive compared to others but the expectation is that if I use the wiper once a week I wont have to service the unit until its time to change the bulb.
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