Who uses UV sterilizers?

[hdtvguy]

How many of you FOWLR and FO tank people run UV sterilizers on your tanks?

If not are you thinking of added one to your tanks?

[Absint Reefer]

I would'nt because they only take out things that free floating in the water but most parasites and things are in the rock and sand so unless you have a barebottom tank that you can scrub and stir things up a bit so everything can run throug the UVS than I don't think it's worth it

[Nuhtty]

Ive been doing quite a bit of research on them and decided that I am not going to get one for my tank. Just doesnt seem practical with the waterflow you would need through the device and the hassle of another appliance, pump and tubing for a piece of equipment with questionable benefit.

Save the money and spend it on a good RO/DI unit.

[hdtvguy]

Thanks for the responses from people not running UV. I run all good equipment on my tank.Huge Dual Beckett skimmer, great Ro/DI system for top off and water changes, Lots of flow for a FOWLR tank, huge filtration system.


I just wanted to hear from people who may run on there systems.

[sublimaze41]

After reading about pros and cons of U/V sterilization I finally made the plunge. My water clarity has greatly improved. Between that and the lawn mower blenny I have no algae. I would assume since I am using it directed that my free floating parasite level has been reduced if not gone.

I went with a modestly priced unit from Tropic Marin, The Vecton. I am driving it with a Mag drive to get the optimal flow rate. With a U/V it is essential to keep the water flow under the maximum, or your kill rate will be less. I went with this unit based on Robert Fenner's opinion of it. The manual clearly states that the bulb and seals must be replaced every 6 months. This is a small hassle as the unit is well designed. I bought mine at Aquaticeco.

Go to photos and you may be able to see how I have mine setup.

Hope this helps.

[hdtvguy]

Thanks for adding your experiences with the use of your UV.


Anyone else?

[leebca]

I wouldn't consider setting up a FOwLR system without it.

It must be sized properly with the proper flow rate. Once done correctly, it will help control all baddies in the water column.

It is NOT a cure for diseases (like Marine Ich) but it will help control the population of the parasite WHEN it is used optimally. There needs to be very good tank circulation and turn over through the UV to utilize its full effectiveness.

[hdtvguy]

Leebca,

You have a PM

[Flame*Angel]

I have one on my 300g butterfly tank. One thing I have noticed is a lot less algae than my reef tank. I haven't seen any negative affects from it. This tank has great coralline algae and TONS of amphipods, copepods, mysis shrimp and various worms.

[leebca]

Flame*angel

Do you believe/have you seen/do you know. . .does the UV kill your pods on the first pass through?

Thanks.

[hdtvguy]

Great thanks for your post! What size UV you running on your tank Flame?

[capt. insano]

hdtvguy

I run a 57 watt unit on my 240. After adding it, the tank just "looked" better (water clarity improved, less algae)

FWIW, I have a ton of pods in my refugium and tank. I don't think the UV kills them

http://www.aquaultraviolet.com/products1.html#uv

[hdtvguy]

Thanks Capt.

How many GPH you running through yours?

[capt. insano]

I have it tee'd off of the return from my refugium.......so about 700 gph I guess

[Flame*Angel]

I haven't seen a pod go through it. Mine is a 40w LifeGard unit powered by a Magnum 350 canister filter which draws water from an overflow. Because the pods live in the sand and rock they don't tend to get sucked into it. If they did I would see their bodies in the canister filter but have yet to see any live critters in it.

I do have some corals in this tank but it's not officially a reef, just some mushrooms, zoos, polyps and softies - whatever the butterflyfish don't eat. I really don't see any negative impact from the UV Sterilizer at all. The only real difference I can see between this and my other tanks is less algae - all my tanks are VERY well fed.

[hdtvguy]

Flame,

I running the same size UV and model as you. After it being on line for only 2 days the water is crystal clear! I mean I never had cloudy water before, but looking from one end of the tank to the other 8'. It just is sparkling! I'm running a Fluval 404 Canister with only the sponge inside to keep the debris out of the UV. 350GPH a nice slow flow.

[Flame*Angel]

Yup, I noticed the same thing - the water is clearer in my butterfly tank with the UV than it is in the reef tank. I really think that a slow flow is the trick with a UV. If the water passes through too quickly it's not going to be effective.

[evad1]

vecton are the best uv out there others don't really work if you are going to get one get a vecton

[dchao]

I have the AquaUV, the wiper version. It has never been easier to keep the quartz sleeve sparkling clean. Just pull the wiper once a week, that's all you need to do. Your water will always get the correct UV dosage to ensure the passing parasites are exterminated.

[Nuhtty]

Hmmm...now maybe I think a UV might NOT be a bad idea.

Only thing is, I have know where to plumb it into my setup.

The return from my overflow will be around 700gph and my closed loop around 1200gph.

Is there a submersible UV sterilizer that can just drop into the sump and work similarly to a skimmer, running on its own pump and with the proper gph through the fixture.

[hdtvguy]

Yes you can use the Lifegaurd model UV's like how you are talking about! I have mine in the end of my baffles sump returning the water. I have the Fluval 404 Intake a few baffles over toward the overflow area into the sump.

[saltman1]

I just added a 36W Coralife Turbo twist to my system FO tank. It was the BEST thing I could have ever done! My water is crystal clear, all signs of brown algae are gone on the sand....all good. I HIGHLY recommend it

[billpa]

Good to hear HDTVguy. I have an Aquanetics 30w UV sterilzer waiting to go online (just got my 180g into the basement on Saturday!). Im going to feed it with a Fluval 304...same reasoning as you. You definitely need to make sure the water going in the UV is filtered...simple floss or sponge will take out the particulate matter...if you dont filter the intake, it will severely decrease the efficiency of the unit. I have also heard it is a good idea to run some carbon too. Are you running carbon in your fluval?

Anyways, great to hear its working for you. I have learned alot from the threads you have posted about your 240. Thanks!

billpa

[hdtvguy]

Yes I'm running Carbon but not in my Fluval. I run it in the sump in one of my baffles in the sump. I run 4 bags of Chem-pure. Glad to hear some of my posted helped you out!

[billpa]

Yeah man...totally. Your big thread that you started when you set up the 240 helped out alot! The only mistake I've made is getting the Ampmaster But I basically got it for free in a trade. It's brand new and the newer model. I have heard from a bunch of people about leaky seals (including yourself). How bad do they leak? Im planning on setting it in a shallow rubbermaid so if it does leak, its not all over my floor! I'm not buying those stupid 80 dollar seals until I need them. Sucks how they are extra and they just dont include them with the new model Sorry for the hijack.

Bill