UV Sterilizer question. How long ?

[mojo46825]

Ok I just installed a coralife 9 watt uv twist Uv sterilizer on my 65 G reef. I have gotten mixed input on how long to run it. One LFS told me 24/7 another told me just 2 to 3 hours a day. If I only run it a couple hours do I leave the pump run or time it off as well? I just got it hooked up and everything seems to be working fine. Any help would be great. Thanks

 

[miaheatlvr]

Originally Posted by mojo46825
Ok I just installed a coralife 9 watt uv twist Uv sterilizer on my 65 G reef. I have gotten mixed input on how long to run it. One LFS told me 24/7 another told me just 2 to 3 hours a day. If I only run it a couple hours do I leave the pump run or time it off as well? I just got it hooked up and everything seems to be working fine. Any help would be great. Thanks

Leave it on 24/7, I dont see the benefits of turning it off and on.. let it cycle through your water as many time as it can..

 

[coraljunky]

I agree. Nice tank

 

[mojo46825]

Thanks much will leave it run. I need to updaye my pics I have added some more things.

 

[farslayer]

Very nice tank. And I concur, run the sterilizer 24/7. I have a 125G reef with an 18W turbo twist and I run it 24/7. I only shut it off if I need to kill any cyano.

 

[stanlalee]

there are several view on when to run them.
a)run them during the day and turn them off at night so all the little nocturnal critters and larvae wont get zapped when they are most active.
b)run them only at night when ich is most likely to search for a host on sleeping fish, critters be damned
c)run it all the time everything be damned.
I run mine all the time but its at a flow rate only effective at killing algae and bacteria. I would run it 24/7 regardless though.

 

[miaheatlvr]

Originally Posted by Stanlalee
there are several view on when to run them.
a)run them during the day and turn them off at night so all the little nocturnal critters and larvae wont get zapped when they are most active.
b)run them only at night when ich is most likely to search for a host on sleeping fish, critters be damned
c)run it all the time everything be damned.
I run mine all the time but its at a flow rate only effective at killing algae and bacteria. I would run it 24/7 regardless though.
LOW FLOW is the most key here, and fresh bulbs!

 

[coral keeper]

What dos a Uv sterilizer do? Would anyone recomend one in a size 8 Oceanic Biocube?

 

[team2jndd]

I don't see the point of running one to be honest. I think the cost outweighs the benefits by far. I only used one when I was having a freefloating algae issue. Ecspecially on a reef.

 

[farslayer]

Originally Posted by Coral Keeper
What dos a Uv sterilizer do? Would anyone recomend one in a size 8 Oceanic Biocube?
UV light damages DNA to the point that the cells cannot divide or when they do divide, they are damaged; effectively, it kills the organism.
UV light is 99.9% effective of destroying the DNA of any small organism which passes through it provided that the flow rate is not too fast; too slow and the UV sterilizer is also ineffective.
There are a lot of reasons why people do or do not run them; in my experience, I have run them on all of my tanks for about 8 years, 24/7; I have only encountered an ick outbreak on a tank where I did not run a UV sterilizer. I had an outbreak in a tank which had been unchanged for over a year; no new additions, nothing.
The benefits outweigh the negatives IMO; I would rather kill organisms in the water than risk another ick outbreak.
But again, just my opinion

 

[coral keeper]

Ok, thanks for the info.

 

[geoj]

If you like look into UV's benefits to the oxidation-reduction potential (Redox potential)
"Redox Potential (oxidation potential) describes the ability for the loss of an electron by a molecule, atom or ion to the gain of an electron by another molecule, atom or ion. Without this positive Redox Potential many minerals cannot be absorbed and properly assimilated. So it is very important to keep a proper Redox Potential (-300 to -350mV) via proper dissolved oxygen levels, UV Sterilization, and proper electrolyte levels (such as magnesium).
Carl Strohmeyer "

 

[mojo46825]

Thanks for all the input. I have been running all the time. Water does look a little more polished. maybe i just think it is i daont know. But seems to be well. I paired mine up with a mj 400. This seemed to matc te flow rate of the coralife 9w. All is good and thanks again,

 

[rabbit_72]

uv 's are great ever since i have had one never had an out break of ich either . i run mine 24/7 also i change my bulb every six months. i agree with Farslayer.