Who uses UV sterilizers on the FOWLR

[jmccown]

I've personally never ran one but I am seriously thinking about getting one. What are the true benefits of using one of these on a FO tank and most importantly does it kill parasites? What are your experiences.

[billsreef]

I only find them useful in multiple tank set ups, such as in a LFS or aquaculture setting. Otherwise, a simple QT protocol is far more effective at preventing parasite issues, which the UV is not truly capable of of.

[niles1967]

UV is great for pond applications (for algae control) but a complete waste of money in a marine tank. (all in my humble opinion). I couldn't agree with Billsreef more; strict QT (6 healthy weeks for me) is the key. Since doing this I have not had a parasite issue in my DT.

[jmccown]

I have used a UV on a pond application several years ago and found that it definately worked in controlling algae.

[HOBrien]

I am going to be using one in my tank becuase of how bad the water is with phosphates where I live and the RO/DI system I have can take it all out. So I will use it just for the algae problem I have and not as far as parasites.

[iamwrasseman]

i have a dozen fish only tanks all hooked up to a common sump that is plumbed through the floor and yes i have benifited from my UV steralizer a few times . it basically keeps the tanks seperate as far as disease is concerned. and yes it was worth it for sure . my system kinda needs it because if there was a breakout of something it would stop it in its tracks. for most other applications they simply are not needed IMO .

[saltyguy51]

I got a super deal on a used one (36 watt turbotwist) for 50.00 like new in the box. I think my water was more clear with it but carbon does the same. I really bought it for the parisite issues. Ive read articles on these and its up to you who you believe.

[jmccown]

will UV kill crypto?

[iamwrasseman]

i dont know everything that is killed but there is not much that can live if you have a properly sized UV steralizer .i have a 160 watt unit and nothing lives !

[jmccown]

how many total gallons are you running wrasseman? Has ich ever been present in your tanks?

[iamwrasseman]

yes it has but it never spread from one to the next . i have 12 20 high tanks with a 100 gal sump so were only taljing 340 gallons

[niles1967]

It will only kill what flows through it. Only free floating algae will be controlled. (which is why it is great in a pond). It will kill crypto but will not kill 100% of it before it infects the fish. It is worthless with a single tank system. Do not introduce parasites into the tank and toss the UV. There is absolutely no shortcut around proper QT methods. There is nothing that will take the enjoyment out of a marine tank faster than a parasite outbraek.

[MrTuskfish]

The biggest problem, IMO, with UV is the false sense of security they give some folks. I agree with the above posts, their main value is algae control. They will not (and cannot) cure or prevent an ich (or other contagious parasite) outbreak. I've heard horror stories from folks who used UV instead of QT. IMO, if fish (and all livestock) are properly QT'd...there wouldn't be any parasites for the UV to kill. Also, UV units are useless if the flow rate is too fast or the bulb and quartz sleeve haven't been properly cleaned. UV requires considerable attention in order to function at all.

[GT3000XX]

Here is a link for a sterilizer I have. It has charts that explain wattage and flow rates/kill rates. It is very technical but understandable.


http://www.aquaultraviolet.com/newsupport.htm

[rsantangelo3@co]

I run a 40 watt on my 300.

[saltyESQ]

I did a lot of research on my UV and proper flow rate before purchasing it. I opted for 114w UV on my 210 fowlr. I am extremely pleased with it. The key to effective UV is high wattage and slow flow. My fish have never looked better. I also use a QT system, but there are always opportunistic diseases in the main tank (ich being just one of them), and the UV has kept these at bay. I have gone through complete hypo in my display tank a couple of times (carefully following hypo instructions and keeping the tank in hypo for 6-8 weeks) and could never completely eradicate ich in ich-prone fish. The high-wattage UV has done the trick for me. In selecting the UV unit, I was careful to be sure the wattage was sufficient to kill the parasites that concerned me. I think UV gets a bad rap because most people do not have sufficient wattage.

[saltyESQ]

By the way, if you search UV in the RC archives, there is a great thread where a biologist listed the typical parasites and UV wattage and flow needed to kill them.

[DamnPepShrimp]

Wow! 114w!!!! I think your right with the wattage and flow, but how much does something like that cost? The bigger 40w cost a lot, I couldn't imagine nearly 3 times bigger! So will UV help with algae control? I've heard it does good with algae that grows on the glass. I hate cleaning the glass on my tanks every day, if UV will reduce that, it'd be worth it just for that! I go by the book with QT and know ich won't even be fully eradicated, but it isn't that bad if they fish are not stressed, have a healthy varied diet and water quality. They can live with ich, like the common cold, and fight it off.

[niles1967]

I know there is disagreement on the subjet but I fully believe that Ick is NOT always present in the tank. Examining the livecycle of this parasite would confirm that in my opinion and many others. In addition, I have had my tank with sand for a long periold of time and without for about a year now and I have no evidence of Ick.

A UV sterilizer in a marine tank is a worthless, energy consuming, money consuming waste.

[iamwrasseman]

in my case i think its best to have one as to not spread anything between the 12 tanks .every situation needs different consideration wouldn't you agree ?

[niles1967]

I fully agree. The only practical marine use for a UV would be preventing parasite contamination from one common tank to another. Most of us do not have multple tanks using a common filtration.

Even then the UV has to be powerful enough and the flow slow enough to prevent 100% of the parasites.

[iamwrasseman]

happy reefing to all !

[saltyguy51]

I guess it is really hard to see if they work ( on parisites ) unless you are in a lab with all the right intruments. Need some scientific proof of studies, stats !

[saltyguy51]

They use uv's alot on air purification and it works there ( dust mites, polon )

[triggerfreak]

I run one on my 210 and yes it works.But just like others have said.You need to get one that is big enough for you tank and get the water flow through it to kill what you are trying to kill or control.I have mine set up because i had a bad problem with ick in my tank with all the aggressive triggers.I still get some from time to time but it seems to go away and not spread to the other fish.So i am all for it and will always have one for my fowlr tanks.

[StayPuft]

I run one on my 150gal and it works great. After seeing it work first hand, I wouldn't have a tank without one anymore. But you have to make sure it's the right size for your tank and also the right flow. Each UV brand is different but they should come with a chart that lists what flow you need for different uses. Make sure to follow that chart.

[jmccown]

What would be a good UV for my 455g system?

[MrTuskfish]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14458651#post14458651 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by iamwrasseman
in my case i think its best to have one as to not spread anything between the 12 tanks .every situation needs different consideration wouldn't you agree ?
This assumes that whatever you don't want to spread (parasites?) will always get sucked into the UV unit before they find a fish host. What are the odds of that? But, one thing in their favor---they sure won't hurt anything. (Except your wallet.)

[kirkaz]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14461565#post14461565 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jmccown
What would be a good UV for my 455g system?

Emperor Aquatics Smart UV is what I use on my 240....I am very happy with it....I won't get into to the argument on the validity of them.:D

http://www.emperoraquatics-aquarium.com/smartuvsterilizer.php

I have the 40 watt, you would want the 65 or the 80 I suspect.

[jmccown]

those look pretty good kirkaz, but they didn't have prices listed. Did you buy direct from them?

[kirkaz]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14462384#post14462384 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jmccown
those look pretty good kirkaz, but they didn't have prices listed. Did you buy direct from them?

I got it as part of my package when I purchased the system from ******...They use these guys for their supplies (also in Phoenix) and I got 20% off that price...Wow, the price really jumps on the larger ones!:eek2:

http://www.marineandreef.com/Emperor_Aquatics_Smart_UV_Sterilizers_Aquarium_Pond_s/419.htm

[Stuart60611]

To wade into this debate. I have been battling ich in my display for some time. I think UV has its benefits. No it will not eradicate ich or other parasites, but it does, imo, materially reduce the amount of free swimming parasites which can render your system to a state that your fish's immunity system has a better chance of battling the parasite as a result of reduced numbers. Also, which has not been mentioned, UV does improve water quality materially by increasing redox and assisting breaking down organics in the water which also helps. And as has already been mentioned, UV does substantially help in reducing unwanted algae blooms.

As such, although far from a complete solution to parasites, I think UV is a useful tool in battling parasites

[MrTuskfish]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14462177#post14462177 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kirkaz
Emperor Aquatics Smart UV is what I use on my 240....I am very happy with it....I won't get into to the argument on the validity of them.:D

http://www.emperoraquatics-aquarium.com/smartuvsterilizer.php

I have the 40 watt, you would want the 65 or the 80 I suspect.
hey Kirk! With all the kidnapping going on in your area (strange,but true); maybe you could convert a UV unit to a Taser gun for self-protection. :lol:

[e55MD]

I run 2 seperate 80W Emperor Aquatic units on my system. I have never managed to eradicate ich completely from my system, even with an 8 week fallow period in the past. The UV does seem to keep the ich in check. For me, the downside is that the heat they generate causes my chiller to turn on more frequently and it is noisy (1 HP Arctica commercial unit).

[Hongt713]

iv never ran a uv before on my fowlr 200gal, and always had an ick outbreak. just recently ran a 25watt and have never seen ick ever sense. After that i went ahead and bought a emperor aquatic 80watt for $758.00 for my new 470gal reef in wall setup

[Hongt713]

all n all i think the uv sterilizer is worth every penny wouldnt run a tank without it and keeps the water crystal clear

[ILuvTropicalFis]

It is a given that if the parasite does not go through the UV it will not be killed. I think everyone agrees on that point. And if you have a huge problem it will likely get out of hand before a UV could get it under control. I also do not think you should use a UV to get away with not QTing your fish.

I have a 125 that has been setup for two years. I did the majority of my stocking before I got a UV in December a year ago. I never QT'd my fish - did not know better - while I have lost fish from time to time, I never had a wipeout in my tank. When I set up my UV, I checked the water flow according to the instructions to get maximum benefit from it, ie to kill parasites as well as algae. I don't have a parasite problem. Is that from the UV? Who knows, but I do not have a problem. I also know that it helps in my tank with the algae blooms. I know that from the time the bulb burned out. I figured it out when the water started getting a yellow tint. I choose to believe the experts.