questions about UV sterilizers

[pontius]

I want to get a uv sterilizer, here's some ???
1. how exactly are they hooked up? I assumed it was to hook one up to the sump pump that brings water back to the tank. somebody told me in order to do that, I'd have to cut the flow rate of the pump. that's not an option, so how else to hook it up?
2. I've seen uv sterilizers recommended for fowlr, but are they also reef safe? will they do any harm to corals, crustaceans and other inverts?
3. do they kill all types of algae? hair algae? film algae? slime? coralline?
I know I had more questions, but that's all I can think of right now.

 

[pontius]

bump

 

[who dey]

ok, they're considered controversial!!! My coraline is explosive!!!! I have been running one for quite some time. If they are directly fitted in-line w/ your wet-dry you have too much flow going through the unit. fit it with a smaller pump (maxijet 1200 or less) to ensure slow flow through the unit to utilize it's effectiveness. again some say it works, but i swear it does!!! until i see negative changes in my tank i will run one forever!!!

 

[exile415]

Clarifier/Sterilizer same thing. I hooked mine up to the wall and runned a pump w/ tubing to the Clarifier and ran another tube , so the water can go back into the tank. I think it works well. But I have a FOWLR. I think it's not all that great for Reef because it kills bacteria that really doesnt really need to be killed but my fish seem to be fine with it.

 

[who dey]

again... "They're controversial" one of my false clowns had ick, i bought the uv and it was gone in 3 days! Maybe some act of god, WHO KNOWS!!! My corals are thriving(twice as large as they were when I gottem) if things change i'll un=pluggit.

 

[dmc888]

Well i'm on my 3rd uv so far. All i have been happy with.
My favorite is the gamma uv. It can be setup on the return line or setup as a hangon style.
Made in the USA, great quality.
Most are one design only.
I have mine as a hang on style.
Wanted the extra flow in the tank.
The biggest difference is how clear the tank gets .
It helps with common green algea and others, not sure which ones.
It will only kill what goes thru it, such as pods.
Doesn't help with hair algea.
If you have alot of bacteria stored in your tank i wouldn't worry.
Such as live rock,refugium,wetdry.
Although i'm sure someone would disagree about it.
I have gone without my uv for 2 months just to test it out and i will always have one from now on.

 

[who dey]

i have a gamma too! will not unplug it anytime soon!!!

 

[crazyaqua]

I am very pleased with my uv sterilizer i have a coral life twist i have it hooked up to my powerhead it works great for me so far no problems :yes:

 

[exile415]

I have a TetraTec Uv Clarifier and I won't be unplugging it anytime soon either.

 

[who dey]

i love all the positive feedback. i've been trying to defend them for years :happy: :happy: :happy:

 

[vtecbro007]

im thinking of buying a 13 watt jebo UV ster. for 30 bucks for my upcoming 90

 

[murph1455]

i have a uv sterilizer too on my tank.... got one after an ich outbreak back when my tank was a fish only tank.... ive kept it on since ive turned my tank into a reef system and its great no problems with fish getting ich... and i have seen no negative aspects with having anemones and corals or inverts.... my mandarin goby finds pleanty of good stuff to eat hes happy too!
i recommend one for sure!

 

[pontius]

thanks for all the replies. so what I gather, one end of it can be hooked up to a powerhead, and the water will flow out the other end? the sterilizer should be submerged, or doesn't have to be? thanks again.

 

[dmc888]

I don't know any that are submerged.
Most are basically a pvc pipe with a uv bulb housed in a quartz clear sleeve.
With an input and output.
Most are one design only, meaning its either a hangonback or on return line.
Hangon are powered by a ph, usually 300gph is good.
Inline are plumbed right into the return pump line.
Inline are usually higher wattage bulbs,But my 8w gamma handles 1100gph because of its spiral design.
But you would have to check with the specs of the uv sterilizer you want.
Most slower gph,like the hangon types work better for ich.
There is a chart somewhere for wattage/gph for ich.
The gamma and some others have a twist flow or spiral design that is supposed to have better contact time working more effectively.

 

[dmc888]

As for the jebo i bought one for my other tank 29g.
I tightened it too much and the seam of the plastic split.
It wouldn't have split if the rubber gaskets were actually soft.
I am sure i can glue it , but if you can afford a gamma instead i would get that one.
Quality is not comparable.
Not to mention a spiral design is more effective.

 

[intosw]

I Am Cycling My Tank With My Uv On Is This Ok? And Also I Have It Hooked Up To A Rio 1200 Pump In My Sump Tank, Through 3/4" Tubing Then Returned Back To The Sump Tank Should I Have It Go Back To The Tank Or Is This Ok, I Will Be Adding A Chiller Unit In Line After It As Well, Its On Its Way.