do you use a UV Sterilizer

[Samw]

Originally Posted by Samw

For fish, it was not important. I didn't notice any difference in ick before and after the UV. I had long bouts of ick even after running UV 24/7. In both cases, the ick eventually goes away on its own and fish are fine.

WRT Ick. I'm sure UV can help. But I think it didn't help for me because my sterilizer is only 9W. I think for ick, higher powered sterilizers might be better.

[Puff]

where should the sterilizer be located? near the sump? or up by the tank?
griffen hooked me up with one yesterday that he wasnt going to use...im not too sure where to put it.lol. or if i should use it or not.

i read that it zaps both bad and GOOD bacteria...so im a bit cautious of using it.

[shotzee]

The effectiveness of a UV sterilizer is also dependant on the rate at which water passes through the device. Bacteria are the easiest to eliminate with UV while parasites take longer = you need longer exposure time to the UV to kill them = use a pump with a slower flow.

[TheReefGeek]

That is why I like the coralife turbo-twist design, the water is exposed longer to the UV light, so even though I only have an 18w for a total gallons of over 300, it works well.

[Samw]

Originally Posted by shotzee

The effectiveness of a UV sterilizer is also dependant on the rate at which water passes through the device. Bacteria are the easiest to eliminate with UV while parasites take longer = you need longer exposure time to the UV to kill them = use a pump with a slower flow.

Yes. The TurboTwist 3X is rated for 100-200gph pumps. I wanted to kill parasites if possible so I'm using the smallest Maxijet pump which is rated at 106gph.

[TheReefGeek]

I t-off my drain line to my sump with a valve to go to my 6x turbotwist, couldn't tell you the exact gph, but probably 200 or so.

[Samw]

Just found this chart for Max flow rates for each wattage. Seems accurate. If so, then 8W-9W is probably not effective against parasites which correlates to what I'm seeing in my tank. I'm sure it helps a bit. Its just not that significant for me.

http://www.liveaquaria.com/general/g...ral_pagesid=21

UV Rating Bacteria/Algae Kill Dose Parasites Kill Dose
Watts     Max Flow Rate            Max Flow Rate 
8         120 GPH                  N/A 
15        230 GPH                  75 GPH 
18        300 GPH                  100 GPH 
25        475 GPH                  150 GPH 
30        525 GPH                  175 GPH 
40        940 GPH                  300 GPH 
65        1700 GPH                 570 GPH 
80        1885 GPH                 625 GPH 
120       3200 GPH                 900 GPH 
130       3400 GPH                 1140 GPH

EDIT: Found another

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/pic/ar...id=423&aid=440

UV Bulb (Watts)  Bacteria and Algae (gph)  Parasites(gph)
 
4                60                        N/A
8                120                       N/A
15               230                       75

[Reefer Rob]

No. UV sterilizers kill some of the most important foods for your corals- the planktonic lifecycle stage of many of your sandbed organisms etc. My system is full of life, and I plan to keep it that way

Rob