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The benefits and dangers of UV light was a big debate 20 years ago, but I haven't heard much on the subject of late.
UVA & B has been proven to kill coraline algae. This often happens when water changes are done with MHL lighting on, and UV exposure is increased. Coraline algae also tends to grow faster with certain MHL bulbs (Phoenix from my experience) and all T5 lamps. This too is likely to be the result of lower UV production.
Anyone who has had the misfortune of having a mogul socketed (double glass UV shield) lamp break, knows that the harmful UVB emitted can kill corals and fish within a few hours, so there is such thing as too much.
The issue that rarely comes up is the UVA & UVB output of aquarium lighting. With vitamin D synthesis and calcium uptake being the chief benefits, it's a wonder that UV lighting in the range of 290-305 NM is accepted as being essential in the reptile hobby, but largely ignored by the marine hobby.
In addition to the synthesis of vitamin D and subsequent calcium uptake, UV light has antibacterial properties, and gives our corals the flourescence that we pay top dollar for.
UV light travels well through water, so why aren't we assuring that our corals get the same amount of UV in our captive systems?
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