Use or not = UV sterilizer

[whatsareef]

I would like to know the adv/ disadv of using a UV with a reef tank...

[Texreefer]

advantage hhhmmmm potentially healthier fish,,, but if your taking care of them in the first place ,,, problem solved... disadvantages..... kills more good stuff than bad!!!!! but thats just my opinion

[brewercm]

I agree with Texreefer on killing good stuff. I started using one at one point and had pods everywhere before, after use of the thing it looks like most if not all of them have disappeared. Maybe they disappeared for other reasons but haven't had any tank problems since taking off.
Maybe someone else out there might know a reason for thousands of pods disappearing like that other than maybe the UV sterilizer.

[whatsareef]

I agree also to some effect... I have had this UV sterilizer for about a year now and have not used it... I was thinking if there would be any benefit by adding it to the refug, only as a supplement not in a closed loop..

thanks

[Richard]

I wouldn't recommend a UV sterilizer for a reef system because you are attempting to create a "natural" system and a sterilizer does not discriminate between useful organisms and harmful one's. The only benefits you would gain from using one are slighty improved water quality and slightly reduced algae growth. There are much better ways of controlling both of these things without using a sterilizer.
It would be a useful "aid" in treating parasites in your bare bottom quarantine tank (everyone has one of these right ;) ).

[Jimnorris]

Richard beautifully stated!
Jim