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UV steralizer or not?

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    Posted: November 28 2015 at 12:27pm
I know there is a lot of debate on whether or not its good to use a UV steralizer. I want to know what are everyones thoughts.

what are the pros ands cons?
what have you used and whats good?
how many watts would i need for a 300 gallon tank?

lets start a good debate/discussion
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote bstuver Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 28 2015 at 1:16pm
I have almost always used one. I think it keeps the algae more in check and sickness in fish down. I think every time I haven't had one going my fish have gotten ich or something else but it could just be coincidence :)
Jackie Stuver

"wait these aren't the happy Hawaiians oompa doompa godly heaven on your face zoas?   I dont want them then. lol!" Ksmart
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote ctreeftank Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 28 2015 at 1:29pm
Also helps clarify the water
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Reefer4Ever Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 28 2015 at 4:29pm
No help here as I have never used one.
90 gal reef w/refugium
24 gal softie tank
11 gal nano anemone tank
5 gal fresh water
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Mark Peterson Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 28 2015 at 5:17pm
Long ago I laughed at the UV Sterilizer. There is no way, I thought, that the tiny bit of water going through the unit could help in any way. Well, about 10 years ago I realized I was wrong. I have seen the evidence. So I started to ask "Why does it work?" and "How does it work?". The best answer I have found, though I'm not exactly certain, is that it seems to create a small amount of O3 (Ozone) which mixes into the tank water doing almost the same thing as O3 used with a skimmer. 

Personally, I've never had to use a UV sterilizer continuously, though I've used it for short periods to clear up an issue, because I've found that UV radiation in sunlight does a similar thing. Practically every system I've had since 1993, when I located my first reef aquarium in an East facing window, has had at least partial exposure to sunlight. 

I believe in the value of Mother Nature's way. This includes the occasional feeding of Garlic Oil but, if sunlight is not available and Garlic Oil is not working, either a UV Sterilizer or adding O3 to a skimmer are definitely the next best alternatives. One of these alternatives is pretty much guaranteed to do the job. Approve In my experience, this eliminates the need to attempt the hassle of full quarantine. 

The typical UV Sterilizer uses a t5 fluorescent tube. I believe about 10 Watts/100 gallons of water would do the job. Flow through the unit is necessarily slow, giving the water sufficient exposure to the UV radiation.

The newer, high end LED fixtures have started to include a few UV LED's. I'm wondering,... I'm curious to know if this may replicate sunlight such that it may eliminate the need for a UV Sterilizer. Geek

Aloha,
Mark  Hug


Edited by Mark Peterson - November 28 2015 at 5:29pm
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote backwards32 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 28 2015 at 5:23pm
Thanks for all the input so far. Keep it coming. Also mark that makes a lot of sense. Normally the ocean would get uv from the sun. If your tank is not in the window it makes sense that adding that feature to your tank would be helpful
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote backwards32 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December 02 2015 at 12:46pm
which brands / styles have people used or recommend ?
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Love them! 


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