UV Sterilizers

[Dee]

I'm about to connect one to my tank and I have some questions that I realized I never asked. I just figured it would be good for the water quality, but someone told me something that makes me question my original assumptions.

What are the main reasons people usually use one?
Is it okay to leave it on constantly or do you only need it once in a while?
Will it kill anything beneficial in the water?

Thanks,
Dee

[seaurchin]

uv sterelizers are used to kill microrganisms in the water, such as bacteria, algae and parasites. I used one on my freshwater tank when I had one running. I am seriously considering buying one for my s/w tank.

[wesheltonj]

I use one 24/7 on my saltwater tank. Some folks only use when there is a problem. I like to keep problems from happening.

[Mr Cob]

I don't use one and never really have. I had one connected for a couple months but didn't like using it because I dose live food like Live Phyto Plankton, rotifers etc... The uv will kill them.

If you do use one be sure to turn it off when dosing live. Also turn off your skimmer when dosing live.

I don't have algae problems and only have seen signs of ick when I have tried to add a powder blue on two different occassions in the last year and a half.

I vote "no UV" but that's my personal opinion from my own personal experience. The "pros" do not out way the "cons" for me.

[coraline79]

I have a pretty good sized one plumbed into my tank, but I have never used it as my tank has only been up for about a month. I don't want to kill anything off atthis point. Later on I am going to set it up on a timer and have it run for 2 hours a day. The flow is only gravity t'd off one of my returns, and it is controlled by a ball valve. I have heard that you don't really need them, but I think in the event of an emergency that will absolutely happen at some point, it is good to have them.

[Mr Cob]

I have a pretty good sized one plumbed into my tank, but I have never used it as my tank has only been up for about a month. I don't want to kill anything off atthis point. Later on I am going to set it up on a timer and have it run for 2 hours a day. The flow is only gravity t'd off one of my returns, and it is controlled by a ball valve. I have heard that you don't really need them, but I think in the event of an emergency that will absolutely happen at some point, it is good to have them.

Just wanted to say that I like this idea. If you have one...it might as well be plumbed and ready to roll!

[brewercm]

I'm with Mr Cob on this one. I had one at one time and it did a job on my pod population fairly quick on my 75 gallon.

[Dee]

So it could kill my pods also. I don't have any algae or ich...don't even remember the last time I had ich in my tank. Algae...if I put something in the tank with algae on it...it's gone in two days.

So maybe I should plumb it in, but not use it until needed? I traded a pump for one from BigKGlen recently...good sized one, but I also got a smaller one that should do okay on my tank at the Xmas party. Maybe I should sell the larger one and keep the smaller one for emergencies.

My tank seems to be pretty stable aside from nitrate issues...so I don't want to mess it up at this point.

Thanks everyone!