Do you use UV sterilizers?

[king_neptune]

I was just looking at some and they aren't nearly the price I thought they would cost...$100 bucks is far better than the $300-$400 I was speculating it would cost. That in mind...I was thinking I would one day add one. I hear they really clear up the clarity of the water. Anyone able to +1 that notion?

 

[rotarymagic]

not a good idea on a reef tank... IMO... maybe a FO with lots of tangs though.
I think a carbon reactor could do just as much for clearing up the water as a UV..with less negative side effects.

 

[westwind77]

What are the down sides to a UV filter in a saltwater aquarium? I bought one a while back and was about to in-line it within the next week, should I not do this?
Thanks!

 

[blacktop pete]

what is a carbon reactor

 

[srfisher17]

Originally Posted by westwind77
http:///forum/post/2860318
What are the down sides to a UV filter in a saltwater aquarium? I bought one a while back and was about to in-line it within the next week, should I not do this?
Thanks!
IMO, the down side is simply that they aren't worth the money or the maintenance. They cannot cure parasite infestations, as some folks claim. If you have a water clarity problem that a good grade of carbon, or something like Boyd's Chemi-Pure won't correct quickly; you need to find the cause. The only real value of UV (IMO) is with algae control. Which is why pondkeepers use them. I'm not really up to date on them; but one obvious downside in a reef tank is that they will kill all life that passes thru; including pods, good bacteria (minimal), and the tiny life forms that come with LR. I just don't see any upside. I used them for several years; then realized they weren't really doing anything beneficial that I could see. Some excellent hobbiests love them, however, and I'm sure they have some valid points. (maybe.)

 

[trouble93]

Originally Posted by westwind77
http:///forum/post/2860318
What are the down sides to a UV filter in a saltwater aquarium? I bought one a while back and was about to in-line it within the next week, should I not do this?
Thanks!
IMO as a reef keeper who just went through this, it's just not worth the money...It takes out bacteria true but it kills all bacteria beneficial aswell so I took mine down. With a good skimmer alot of LR and good water movement is the key to a healthy system.

 

[king_neptune]

I went to several local high end stores and picked thier brains. they also don't like them cause you kill pods as well.
ive opted not to use a UV sterilizer.

 

[fish4rudy]

I have a skimmer and plenty of live sand and live rock in my little 29g bio-cube.I run nothing else other then cheato in the middle chamber as a make shift fuge. No carbon, nothing......... My water is crystal clear and so I vote no also.

 

[srfisher17]

Originally Posted by trouble93
http:///forum/post/2861441
IMO as a reef keeper who just went through this, it's just not worth the money...It takes out bacteria true but it kills all bacteria beneficial aswell so I took mine down. With a good skimmer alot of LR and good water movement is the key to a healthy system.
Looking at UV another way: In a healthy tank, with all livestock QTd and good maintenance habits practiced; what could UV possibly do that was beneficial? I think it can even be dangerous by giving some folks a false sense of security regarding parasites, like ich. I've even heard things like : "I don't need to QT because I have UV in my DT."