Buying a uv ster.

[joeyt66]

I am planning on purchasing a uv light. But i dont intend to run it full time. I was wondering could i get away from buying one that is rated for my tank(220) and buy the 125 rated one seens it wont run all the time?

[topside]

I'm no where near your level now but when I did have a decent size tank, (75) I think I was cycling too fast for it to do any good. I had a feed through it off a primary canister filter and i think the flow was too high. If i could do it again i would take it through the return pump off the sump. One thing i learned is that if the flow is too fast it's almost worthless.

[bertoni]

What is the goal of running UV?

[topside]

supposedly it kills all the "bad " microbes that are responsible for detrimental health. I certainnly don't think it does any harm, but at the same time, until my system get back up to where your at, I 'm not even putting it back in. ps it was a coral life which seemed to be fine, but I'm focusing on so many other problems first. Good luck with one if you choose that, but I think it was one thing that I should have gone without.

[joeyt66]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11807503#post11807503 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bertoni
What is the goal of running UV?

Mostly precautionary. Have had bad luck with external parrisites. Thought this may help out a bit if i ran it 2-4 days a week. If i were to have a bit of out break this might catch them in the free swimming stage

[bertoni]

If you want it for disease control, I'd suggest running a unit sized appropriately for the tank, and I'd keep it on all the time. I'm not sure how many parasites UV can be expected to kill, though.

[topside]

Then I say go with it, I wasn't trying to dissuade you, I think they can be great, just used in the right way. I do a lot of trial and error

[greenbean36191]

UV on recirculating systems has been repeatedly shown to be ineffective against parasites even when appropriately sized and used 24/7. Save the money and the electricity and use it to set up a quarantine tank.