To UV or not to UV, that is the question (1 Viewer)

[H2OHOH]

I was wondering what people's thoughts are regarding UV sterilizers?

I have a 700 gallon saltwater system, fish only, and have been using an AquaUV 120W (3 x 40 watt bulbs) for several years. I change the bulbs annually at about $50-$60 a bulb. Knock on wood, my system as been very stable and free from fish issues and unwanted pests and problems. I have pretty strict quarantine procedures, and often QT for 3 months, I try my best to keep problems out of my display tank. It is just to much of a pain to catch fish and medicate in 700 gallons.

I recently did an overhaul on my sump and filtration, with the focus on water quality and electrical consumption (if possible). So, just wondering what people think about UV, especially in a fish only system.

 

[cypho]

I would keep it. I think UV can helpful even in a reef to knock down water-borne bacterial issues.

Just don't run it 100% of the time except when you think there is a high risk of problems. If you run it only run it for 12 hours every other day, the bulbs will last 4x as long and it will use 1/4th the electricity.

 

[Jonty]

I run high wattage UV all the time with only positive effects , run it 24/7

 

[cypho]

I run high wattage UV all the time with only positive effects , run it 24/7

I guess the impact on your electric bill is positive, but that can also be considered a negative effect.

 

[acharpenter]

I have always run a UV 24/7 and have never had any sort of fish disease in my tanks (knock on wood)

 

[marty9876]

I run it 24/7

 

[Jonty]

I guess the impact on your electric bill is positive, but that can also be considered a negative effect.

I do not believe running less than 24/7 does much good, if you are knocking a bacteria or whatever back a bit then stopping before it is under control or eliminated (nothing ever is) it multiplies for the next 12 hrs and the cycle starts again.

 

[marty9876]

I have this debate every time I go to buy a bulb. In my experience, I've never really seem Uv 'fix' anything (outside of algae issues) but I do think they help out overall. To me it's all a numbers game, a healthy fish can repel X parasites per gallon of water and a not so healthy fish can only repel half that amount of density. UV helps keeps the overall numbers way down where is not X times 1000 in a outbreak condition.

 

[Riley]

I think it is a bit of a no brainer. You're having great success, so why change anything? I run UV on both my systems, a 120W Emperor Aquatics (single bulb, HO) on my large system and a 40W AquaUV on my 180. Can't speak for any issues, my results have only been positive so far.

 

[Fragtastic Reef]

I never recommend a UV sterilizer on a tank other than FO. For reef tanks I have never really seen a huge benefit for them since it does kill beneficial along with the bad.

Personally if you don't have one and tank is doing good I would leave it alone....

 

[zoolan70]

There is a reason that every fish wholesaler, public aquarium, and most every store runs high power UV units. The big thing is proper flow rates and exposure times. The best UV is no good if it doesn't keep the bad stuff in front of the light long enough to damage it.

 

[BEAV9900]

Had another bacterial bloom last week so ordered a 13w UV sterilizer. Plugged it in this afternoon as tank looked a little cloudy this morning. Already see a difference. How long should I run this?

Hijacking here. So this cleared up the bacterial bloom pretty quick and I shut it off that night. Would you recommend continuing to run it? Or just when I need it? Or a few hours each day?

 

[acharpenter]

Hijacking here. So this cleared up the bacterial bloom pretty quick and I shut it off that night. Would you recommend continuing to run it? Or just when I need it? Or a few hours each day?

I run a similar one on my 57g only its a 9 watt - I run it 24/7. Bulbs are cheap enough and last a year or so - why turn it off?

 

[BEAV9900]

Is 13w too big? I've read these can "strip" the water

 

[mbauma]

I was running a Aqua UV 40 watt on my 140 reef and pulled it out when I put in a new Emerald 39 sump. Mostly, because it was just too big and made working in my sump almost impossible. I never really had any problems, but no idea how much the UV had to do with it.

 

[Jonty]

I run 120W on a 300Gallon, and I haven't stripped the water yet......

 

[acharpenter]

Is 13w too big? I've read these can "strip" the water

I have an all softy tank and have always had softy dominated tanks - not sure if that matters but wanted to make sure I noted it.

During my research on which UV to buy - the 9w came up over and over as the right size for my tank.

I have run a 9w over the last 6-7 years on tanks ranging from a 70 down to a 40 with no issues - all have been mainly softy tanks.