UV Sterilizer
 

Does anyone use UV sterilizers? Does it help control algae?

That's what I would like to know. :question:

UV
 

I have UV hooked on for 24/7 . It helps to control undesirable diatoms and pathogens BUT not algae unfortunately.

Periodic water change still the best.

Itay, is it worth having then???

UV
 

if you don't have ick, no point wasting money. But for long term, i would recommend having it plumbed.

Marty, I don't think you will find too many reefers using UV. There are better ways to control algae, as in nutrient export, for example water changes, skimming, whatever is applicable to the type of tank you are creating. :biggrin:

EmilyB,
I do skim, I do water changes 10% every 3 weeks. Nitrate 5ppm phosphate under.25. i have 55 gallon tank. 45lbs LR. And serious algae problem.

Marty, if you really want to try out a UV sterilizer, I have one. Its a 15W and you just need to hook it up to a powerhead. I think I had it attached to a mj1200. let me know, you can have it if you pay shipping. The sterilizer will only kill those bacteria that are in the water column so if your water is really clear its doubtful that the UV will really make much of a difference IMO

Christy :)

Lights MartyM? :question:

You're a nice lady Christy. If Marty or Emily don't want it I'll gladly pay for shipping! :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

EmilyB,
The lights are NO daylights and 1 Actinic and 1 50/50, for a total of 160 watts. They are on for between 10-12 hrs.

Was gonna ask about your source water too. Just because nitrates and phosphates don't show up in huge numbers in the tank, doesn't mean the problem algae isn't being very efficient at using it up :biggrin:

If your bulbs are old, consider that as well, also getting your Ca and Alk in balance, and keeping it there will get the good coraline algae going and help diminish the bad.

And of course there is skimming, and there is SKIMMING.... :razz: :mrgreen:

EmilyB
R/O water from the purified water store here in Fleetwood. Lights are new. I have a seaclone 100 skimmer. From what I've herd, they are not very good. How much should I be getting from the skimmer? I get about 1/4" of brown sludge every 2-3 days.

I used to have one but it required cleaning and that became a hassle.
I don't notice a big difference without it.

I never met anyine named Marty I didn't like.

-Marty

The name says it all :mrgreen:
If they don't do much, how come the are in every store?? An idea that never took off I guess.

No, they are just still trying to get rid of them before people find out how horrible they are.... :mrgreen: :razz: :lol:

Algea problem is only and only one ting. To much nutriment in your water.
UV will not export any nutriment but only kill free algea cell that live in the water

UV are sterilizer and will kill everiting that will came in!!! you have a reef and your water need need to be full of life it is the naturale cycle of your reef and the way marine life is. UV are not only useless but even break a lot of natural phenomen

If you have algea you have to export nutriment

good skimmer,polyfilter,water change,Use RO water only,caulerpa,hight PH.......

PS: medication are pita just like UV

Do people ever have problems with the UV sterilizer killing plankton?

Megalodon,
From what Stephan said, I would say yes.

UV sterilizes. It kills everything.

Actually Jack, if the flow is slow enough, it only maims a little :razz: You could even make super algae I bet :wink:

Hi,

Is UV bad or good? I did research on this topic a long time ago...and it turns out that it really doesn't matter. There are tanks that do well regardless if UV is used or not. So yes...you can have a nice reef tank with or without UV. Killing plankton...hmm...everybody uses water pumps in their tank? That kills plankton just as easily. There were a couple of old threads on RC where several very experienced reefers from both sides argued about this.

As for the algae problem...I would recommend finding an experienced reefer in your neighbourhood and ask them for advice. The solution is not always the same for each tank. Good luck.

- Victor.

I know the UV kills everything, I just wondered if anyone had problems with their plankton dieing. I understand it can still be consumed by inverts if the plankton is dead and still fresh. Don't we kill all our plankton with pumps or mechanical filters (some of us) anyway? Or add what I assume is dead plankton in those bottled commercial remedies?

I'm not debating... I really don't know. Thanks.
:biggrin: