UV sterilizer?
 

Are they realy needed for a reef tank?

nope

I think they kill too much good stuff.
Just my opinion though.

Re: UV sterilizer?
 

no they are not needed but they are a good adition.

Steve

reply
 

I think this topic will never stop being a matter of opinion for most people. To kill or not to kill? That is the question. Some find that they benifit and maintain water quality, while others see no need for them and find alternative water quality solutions. I personally can find better ways to spend my money.

you are only going to kill microscopic pathogens and bacteria with a UV, pods and such are to large and complicated to be killed in the duration they are exposed to the UV in the setups we use.

Steve

so are they need/very good Idea in a multi tank set up. I am still confused on the idea of having one. I think they help but have never talked about it with any one yet.

Brad

I have one (40w unit) on my 100g fish/softies tank & I plug it in for the first 2 weeks whenever I introduce a fish into the established community because that's when their stress level is highest & most vulnerable to ick & other pathogens.

By the way, I have a sponge pre-filter on the inflow & having the UV sterilizer on has never affected my pod or live mysis population, since they don't get sucked into the system to begin with.

JME,

Anthony

they are a Nice to have thing, you don't need one but they can help reduce single cell pathogens and algae in the water. If you have everything else and need to buy something then get one. if not concentrate on skimmer, ca reactor, kalk, ect first.

Steve

if i had a big fish only system i would definatly add one, but not in a reef.