UV Sterilizer for FO system?

[dakar]

Okay since I'm setting up a Hospital tank, it'll eventually be converted back to a FO (LR to be added later) Anyone want to share their experiences with a UV sterilizer on a FO system? But all comments and thoughts welcome on this one, the the good, bad and ugly. Please explain your reasons.

TIA

[dakar]

Bump.

[dakar]

Bump.

[Reptoreef]

I have to say, that if you're not going to use a QT, that a uv sterilizer would be optimal to reduce chances of disease. I would also recommend the use of a skimmer.

[davejnz]

I've often wondered about the effectiveness of a UV sterilizer.Are we to assume that most pathogens that cause disease in fish are waterborne?

[dakar]

I've often wondered about the effectiveness of a UV sterilizer.Are we to assume that most pathogens that cause disease in fish are waterborne?

Interesting point, if not in the water column how else would the come in contact with fish for them to become infected? Now that I type that I suppose we have to take into consideration the food we feed, how can we garantee it's always free of harmful parasites, is keeping it frozen as long as possible enough? For instance venison, I always freeze for at least 60 days before consumption to ensure everything any 'buggies' have been eliminated.

As to the effectiveness of the UV, according to the literature they are super effective (we always read and know the literature couldn't be wrong). Need some pretty fancy equipment to really test them, and enough brains to use the equipment without creating some form of bio warfare...

[valfran]

What about an ozonizer?

[KG]

Personally, I think UV and ozone are a waste of money. The UV could be useful if you're having a micro algae problem, but they will do nothing for GHA and usually do not have enough strength or dwell time to help with ich. Just my 02. If you still want one, I have a turbo twist I'll sell ya.

KG

[Amphibious]

KG

"The UV could be useful if you're having a micro algae problem, but they will do nothing for GHA and usually do not have enough strength or dwell time to help with ich. Just my 02. If you still want one, I have a turbo twist I'll sell ya."

First, help me out here, what is GHA???
Second, I swear by the use of UV!
People tend to buy the smallest, ie, interpret "cheapest", UV they can get. Most of the time (99%) it is grossly undersized. Few people research the size and flow rate of the UV they need to produce the desired results, 100% kill rate of everything that passes through the UV. Sized properly UV will prevent most out-brakes of pathogen borne diseases and some out brakes micro algae.

The Turbo Twist you have for sale is one unit I personally would not waste my money on. They are two small and over rated by the manufacturer, IMHO. There's a lot of equipment on the market that is geared to the uninformed or novice hobbyist. Millions of dollars are wasted on these "toys", as I refer to them. This is an expensive hobby. Why waste your money on "toys"? Lift your thinking up to the professional level and buy good equipment. You will be rewarded in the success of your reef keeping results. In other words, the end justifies the means, or, it's money well spent. Trust me on this, I've been in this hobby for 59 years and strictly saltwater for 32 years.

To get the best results, and if you are going to spend money on a UV you want results, Find out the wattage and flow rate rating of the UV, match it to the size tank and pump you are going to use to drive it and go at least one size larger. I personally try for the second size above what I need. WHY? Because I want to assure myself that I'm doing my part in keeping my tank free of nuisance pathogens. Plus UV bulbs have an effective killing life of about 9 months when run 24/7. So, if my tank size and flow rate require a 15 watt UV and I put on a 25 watt, I'm reasonably sure that the UV is zapping everything that passes through and will continue to do so way passed the 9 month mark.

[dsfdbutterfly]

When I began in the saltwater thing I was doing nothing right. I read nothing. I just saw something and would add it to my tank. The only thing that I think lead to me having any success and therefore allowing me to continue in this hobby was I purchased a UV steralizer when I first started. That's the only thing that I can trace back to my limited success with what I did. I never had a break out of algea, I never had disease take hold of my tank. I lost fish don't get me wrong but that was easily traced to overfeeding, bad water change habits, not researching types of fish and their needs and the LFS selling me anything I was willing to put money down on no matter my skill level. I would have to say that these things do help. I wouldn't rest my whole system on them but as part of a complete system they continue to improve water quality and will overall improve the health of your fish.

Angie