do i need a uv sterilizer?

jeanier

jeanier

New Member
Help!
I have a 3 month old tank, 150 gallons and lots of live rock! I have been battling cyano (is that how you spell it?) bacteria in it. I have tried the medications, and it just dosen't seem to go away, it is web-like covering my live rock and in the sand. My water is tested regularly and everything is ok. Should I just wait it out and see if it goes away, or would a UV sterilizer help. Any suggestions?
 
bmkj02

bmkj02

Member
I like using a UV light but you will get many different opinions on this. I use to have lots of problems in my tanks with bad bacteria but it was cured ever since I installed a light in both of my tanks. Bad thing about it is that you kind of lose the good stuff too but not really all of it. I rather be safe than sorry. Im pretty sure others will comment.
 
stanlalee

stanlalee

Active Member
nah really not going to help much with that. The UV helps a little with say glass cleaning and clearer water but to me its more of a every little bit helps gadget then a problem solver. Dont get me wrong I like them and encourage using them but to improve clarity/ water born algae but its not going to fix diatoms, cyno or hair algae.
 
U

usirchchris

Guest
Originally Posted by mboswell1982
http:///forum/post/2850355
doesnt cyano come about because of dead spots in your flow?
IME flow will inhibit the chances of cyano growing, but will not prevent it.
Oh, and stanalee's comment in regards to the UV is perfect. Every little bit helps gadget lol is the perfect definition of a sterilizer.
 
mboswell1982

mboswell1982

Active Member
ok, so what kinda uv sterilizer would u recommend i get? and since im not doin a reef tank, i should be ok regardless in regards to getting one right?
 
sly

sly

Active Member
I have used a UV sterilizer for years and IMO, they do not help cyano... They help with reducing disease outbreak (I have never had one). From what I have seen, phosphate is the biggest contributor to cyano. Do you test for phosphate and do you know what is causing it?
 
sickboy

sickboy

Active Member
+1 on the phosphate.
I used a phosphate pad and it all went away. But, this was after I took away the source of the phosphate.
 
keebler

keebler

Member
Originally Posted by revrick3
http:///forum/post/2853130
What can be some of the sources of phosphate if you use RO/DI water?
Decomp of organic substances...feeding and die off basically. What are you feeding? Remove it by hand and do a large water change if it isn't too bad. Make sure your lights are good and avoid chemicals if you can.
 
big

big

Active Member
To quote what you ask......" do i need a uv sterilizer"..... NO
I had two 55 watt ones on my Lilly pond to control summer Algae.. There they have their uses, but as to in a Reef I do not want sterilized water.......... I like my pods and their food sources too.
Good water and testing with lots of flow works the best for me.
 
sly

sly

Active Member
I've used a UV sterilizer for 4 years and I have hundreds of pods in my tank. Even with a Mandarin Goby which eats only pods, they still grow faster than he can eat...
I like sterilized water. No disease outbreak ever. Opinions may vary.
 
ilovemytank

ilovemytank

Member
I've seen the results of many people who have used the chemicals and never heard of an instant where they didn't. Are you using the right amount for the amount of water you have ? Are you useing red slime remover or chemi-clean ?
 
big

big

Active Member
Originally Posted by Sly
http:///forum/post/2853281
I've used a UV sterilizer for 4 years and I have hundreds of pods in my tank. Even with a Mandarin Goby which eats only pods, they still grow faster than he can eat...
I like sterilized water. No disease outbreak ever. Opinions may vary.
Like you say opinions vary, I did not mean to say UV light kills pods, but it does reduce the smaller elements they consume........
 
mr_x

mr_x

Active Member
no. a UV sterilizer is a waste of money for your issue. the cyano is feeding off of excess nutrients. are you using R.O.D.I. water? what is the TDS(total dissolved solids) measurement of your water? how much are you feeding? what are your means of export? how often do you do waterchanges? what skimmer are you using?
btw- i don't get disease outbreaks ever either, and i don't use a UV sterilizer.
 
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