what are your opinion's useing a uv light on a reef tank/looking to buy one.

[newfishliny]

I have a 90 gal reef with about six fish and I am curious if some of you use a uv light and if not why .
If you do what brand .
thanks
new fish

 

[dburr]

On a fish only, yes, but on a reef, most say no.
It kills the bad stuff and the good stuff that corals feed on.
The best way to advoid problems in a reef is not to create them.
Do research before the purchase and do things slowly. Going fast will only screw things up. IMO.
HTH

 

[richard rendos]

I would suggest not using one on a reef system.

 

[lonestar]

I have run 1 on my 75 gal for over 1 yr. I have lost only 1 coral in this time and I am sure it wasnt the uv's fault. I am not suggesting to use 1. I am simply saying that i run 1 with no negitive side effects.
Jeremy

 

[juddster]

I was going to use one as well...i was advised by a number of sources not to do it to a reef tank.

 

[reef fool]

This is definitely one of those "hot topics" that can be full of pro's and cons. I did all of the reading that I could about running one on a reef tank. Of course the sellers/manufacturers of UV sterilizers say that is is beneficial to run one 24/7. Most reefers say "NO". In a fish only system, as stated before, it can't hurt IMHO. It definitely helps during an ich breakout along with garlic feedings IME. It doesn't hurt to have one aroud, just in case. Thats what I do.
As for killing things that corals need. I think that protein skimming has the same effect on some beneficial foods such as phytoplankton. Most experts say that phyto doesn't last long in most aquarium enviroments anyway. It will definitely effect the pods though, which I belive skimming doesn't have as much of an effect on.
Please correct me if I am wrong, but this is the info I remember from reading on this topic a few months ago.

 

[newfishliny]

Originally posted by reef fool
This is definitely one of those "hot topics" that can be full of pro's and cons. I did all of the reading that I could about running one on a reef tank. Of course the sellers/manufacturers of UV sterilizers say that is is beneficial to run one 24/7. Most reefers say "NO". In a fish only system, as stated before, it can't hurt IMHO. It definitely helps during an ich breakout along with garlic feedings IME. It doesn't hurt to have one aroud, just in case. Thats what I do.
As for killing things that corals need. I think that protein skimming has the same effect on some beneficial foods such as phytoplankton. Most experts say that phyto doesn't last long in most aquarium enviroments anyway. It will definitely effect the pods though, which I belive skimming doesn't have as much of an effect on.
Please correct me if I am wrong, but this is the info I remember from reading on this topic a few months ago.

thanks for the insight .... I do have one and did not hook it up yet , as I can see there are enough lfs out there and aquriums for the public ect and have been useing them for years we positive results... I am going to put it on a timer and run it at first every other day .............
it was design for a reason .........
thanks for your answers
new fish

 

[dburr]

Originally posted by reef fool
As for killing things that corals need. I think that protein skimming has the same effect on some beneficial foods such as phytoplankton. Most experts say that phyto doesn't last long in most aquarium enviroments anyway. It will definitely effect the pods though, which I belive skimming doesn't have as much of an effect on.
Please correct me if I am wrong, but this is the info I remember from reading on this topic a few months ago.

Yes, you are right. I don't run them either!