To UV, or not to UV, that is the question
 

I am just wondering for those established reefers out there, who uses a UV sterilizer?

Can't seem to create a poll...but would like to know

1: don't use
2: use some times
3 use full time

You should do a poll

H

perhaps a moderator will bail me out? :redface:

3 - use full time . Have cheap chinese bulb right now & not sure how much it really does !

Done and done!

Are you having problems with your tank that make you think you need a UV sterilizer?

I recently added UV because I was battling a outbreak of dinos. The idea is that It might kill any free floating dinos that are in the water column. The dinos are gone for now, however, I did a multifaceted approach with DinoX, a period of lights out and the UV. Who knows if all worked or just one or two methods and time will tell if the problems return.

I have had once running ever since I set up my tank 4 years ago and I can definetly say I don't know if it really makes a difference , I just go on the principal if it's working just keep doing what your doing is all

I like to run it when I add fish

I voted for all the answers. On my own reef I don't use UV at all, I have no reason to. On my client tanks I have some that don't use UV, some that use UV part-time, and some full-time. Depends on each tank, and also the client too (I put big UV sterilizers on tanks where clients add non-quarantined fish). I like to have a UV sterilizer available to use on tanks that have Tangs so the UV can be switched on if there are any Ich spots noticed on any of the fish. In order for UV to be effective for Ich, it has to be a big UV though, and there is a significant cost associated with a piece of equipment that is only used part-time.