do you use a UV Sterilizer

[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

[Samw]

Personally, I would love it if it could kill the plantonkic stages of bristleworms. Doesn't seem to. I have too many. Also I've seen no impact on my pod population. Even my Mandarin and 2 wrasses can't make an impact on them. Actually, my pod population has increased. I think this is due to more macroalgaes for them to hide in. Luckily, I don't have any animals or corals that need phytoplankton or whatever is being killed off by UV though I have read that the amount of phytoplankton in the tank is insignificant as a food source.

I have to say that I had no idea what was going to happen to my tank when I was installing the UV. After having seen the results, I am far too happy.

Just one of many articles: http://www.aquariumadvice.com/articl...q=2&fldAuto=31

[TheReefGeek]

Me too, and I love cleaning off my front glass every 2 weeks instead of 2 days. That alone was worth the UV sterilizer's weight in gold for me.

[EmilyB]

I've used one in the past for slime algae, a 25w I think. Didn't see any improvement.

I have ick in the big tank I guess. It pops up now and then with a new fish. My new powder blue's been there a few months now and has no more ick, so I don't think a UV would have been any more benefit there.