Anybody use UV? If so, why?

[Tom Toro]

I've got two UV 57 watt units just sitting here with new bulbs. I'm in the middle of starting a fish dominated tank and wondering if it's worth it to put these two units to use for parasites and maybe some algae control. Anybody have an opinion on whether they do more harm than good or they're worth the 114 watts they'll use? I think that's about the amount I saved when I switched from T5's to LED, lol!

[binford4000]

I always run a uv sterlizer. It is said that it helps control parasites and algae. Allot of debate on the pro's and cons.tho. Personally I prefer to run one. In a heavy loaded fish bio load I would run em for sure if only to prevent ick and similar fish related parasites

[Preuss Pets]

Likewise, we're huge fans of UV and feel that the pros greatly outweigh the cons. Is this a dual unit where you would need to run both? What size is the display?

Steve

[Tom Toro]

Hey Steve,
Good to hear that the pros use them. They are separate Aqua 57w units. One with a wiper, one without.

The display is 240gallon and total volume 400g net with the two 100g sumps, minus LR.


Likewise, we're huge fans of UV and feel that the pros greatly outweigh the cons. Is this a dual unit where you would need to run both? What size is the display?

Steve


Hey Chuck, I didn't know you ran UV. Have you always run it? I'm still now positive how many gph I'm supposed to run through the thing. I usually run a mag 7 through it. The instructions are kinda vague.


I always run a uv sterlizer. It is said that it helps control parasites and algae. Allot of debate on the pro's and cons.tho. Personally I prefer to run one. In a heavy loaded fish bio load I would run em for sure if only to prevent ick and similar fish related parasites

[binford4000]

http://i825.photobucket.com/albums/zz179/binford4000/3afef2422f65e1f87f73d7f10b83e986_zpsdbeec70a.jpg

Yup sure do ! Also always have,aqua UV does a fair job of explaining the required GPH for most effective results. 114 watts is allot of UV bud. I would recommend you talk to them and explain what your running and want to achieve here is a link with the number

http://www.aquaultraviolet.com/industries/aquariums

[Tom Toro]

Thanks for the link. It cleared some stuff up for me. I'm supposed to put 3200gph through this to clear the water for a reef tank. 1066gph through it for fish disease control. It also said it will kill a lot of plankton at this slower water flow along with free floating bacterias, both good and bad. Bacteria on the walls/sand/rock,etc will remain. I think I can maybe manage 900gph on the tee-off from my Hammerhead.

[binford4000]

Sounds about right ! I have mine comeing off one my returns also. I put mine on a bypass loop so if I need to work on it all I have to do is open a valve on the return line then isolate the sterlizer with the other valves. Works nicely. Food for thought is all. Good luck

[Tom Toro]

Good stuff, Chuck. I put mine on a valve too so that works out great. Thanks.

[Preuss Pets]

900gph is about what we generally run through a 57 as well. I like the bypass. When you check the quartz sleeve for calcium build up are you just disconnecting the vinyl hoses? I'm always amazed how quickly a quartz sleeve can become nearly opaque.

Steve

[binford4000]

900gph is about what we generally run through a 57 as well. I like the bypass. When you check the quartz sleeve for calcium build up are you just disconnecting the vinyl hoses? I'm always amazed how quickly a quartz sleeve can become nearly opaque.

Steve

That is correct. I have found I need to scrub the quartz about every four months. I wish some one made good quick disconnects out of plastic. About the only way I could see it getting easier then what I am doing now.

[Tom Toro]

Were you soaking and wiping it with vinegar?

[binford4000]

Were you soaking and wiping it with vinegar?

I actually have a spare ! I just toss it in a bucket of vinager and water and clean it when I rember. That's usually just before I need to swap em so there's not much scrubbing but man there's some serious nose plugging !! Lol. :oldman:

[AZDesertRat]

If its a fish dominated system then absolutely use one. I will not use one on a reef system though as they inactivate the good along with the bad so deplete the natural food chain.

[Tom Toro]

Thanks for the input, Folks. I installed it on the Fish Dominated tank. Not too many corals in there. I'd like to get a gph flow meter to see what I'm pushing through there. Coming out of the 1" tube like a Mag 12.