So...I am a huge skeptic when it comes to UV sterilizers. I do not think they serve much purpose in tanks. They definitely do not eradicate ich and I am not happy with 'managing' ich in my tank. I want it gone. As far as I know, I am completely ich-free and have been for the last 8 years. But I lost all my fish except for two tangs when I downgraded from 220 to 125 gal tank this summer. The tank didn't come on time (Thank you Truvu) and I went on vacation. I had someone try to maintain the fish in bins (construction workers got rid of the 220 for me when I was gone, so I put everything in bins), and ammonia did it. Anyway, I am adding fish currently, waiting for my next batch from the good doc Reef. Although I am a skeptic, I am not too stubborn, and I had some discussions with people who stand by sterilizers, so I am willing to try things before. I had a Lifegard 40-watt UV unit previously, but it definitely did nothing for ich. At the same time, I was a noob and probably plumbed poorly. Man do I talk a lot without saying much...
Fast forward to today. About 11 hours ago I installed a 40-watt Aqua unit and I am running it on a dedicated Varios-4 pump on full blast, so roughly 1000 gph. So far I cannot tell of its impact on my tank, the lights are still off. At this point, I am aiming to clean up the water as I am fighting a nasty dino outbreak (this is what happens when you play with your tank too much and leave it too clean). I draw water from the drain section near my socks, and sterilized water empties into the return pump section of the sump. The UV itself is placed on the floor behind the stand in a horizontal position.
I will keep a weekly update on what I am noticing in regard to the UV sterilizer. I welcome any input and suggestions, but I will be slow to make adjustments. I want to give 72 hrs for each adjustment to see how it plays out.
*Currently I have a PB and Yellow Tang, both adults in addition to a coral beauty, juvie Heni, Royal Gramma, Lawnmower blenny (Thank you Blue Zoo for the gift), and an Orchid dottyback.
Fast forward to today. About 11 hours ago I installed a 40-watt Aqua unit and I am running it on a dedicated Varios-4 pump on full blast, so roughly 1000 gph. So far I cannot tell of its impact on my tank, the lights are still off. At this point, I am aiming to clean up the water as I am fighting a nasty dino outbreak (this is what happens when you play with your tank too much and leave it too clean). I draw water from the drain section near my socks, and sterilized water empties into the return pump section of the sump. The UV itself is placed on the floor behind the stand in a horizontal position.
I will keep a weekly update on what I am noticing in regard to the UV sterilizer. I welcome any input and suggestions, but I will be slow to make adjustments. I want to give 72 hrs for each adjustment to see how it plays out.
*Currently I have a PB and Yellow Tang, both adults in addition to a coral beauty, juvie Heni, Royal Gramma, Lawnmower blenny (Thank you Blue Zoo for the gift), and an Orchid dottyback.