To UV or not to UV?

[MegabiteOG]

I have a sps dominant mixed reef and considering whether to get a UV or not. In researching the subject, it seems that opinions are al over the place (like most things reefing). Everything from it's the best thing since sliced bread and run it 24/7 to it will kill all the good stuff in your tank along with some of the bad. I know it keeps glass cleaner and can combat other issues, but does it add to the over all health of a reef system and actually help avoid problems. Just looking for thoughts.

 

[BlueBayouReefHTX]

I run mine maybe 22 hours/d. I have my controller turn it off at night around feeding time when I dose live phyto. Ever since I put one in my dino issues are gone. Not sure I'd go without one now.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

I feel like uv is the fad of the year this year, I've never seen or heard it mentioned so much as this year, it comes up in almost every thread now. Go back 5-6 years ago and no one is talking about uv. I've been reefing close to 20 years and I currently have 4 tanks, never had a uv before. IMO it must have benefits like every other piece of equipment offers, but not necessary.

 

[BryanM]

Necessary, absolutely not.

A tool for certain circumstances, absolutely yes.

Can run 24x7 or not, personal choice.

You already nailed it, tons of people WANT things to live and find them beneficial, certain do not.

Biased here, dino sufferer and eventual winner, I'm not inclined to turn my UV off.

 

[MegabiteOG]

Thanks for the responses guys. That's what I'm talking about. Opinion on the subject are vast.

I would agree that it's not needed to have a healthy tank. Don't actually need a skimmer or a roller mat for that matter, but helps in maintaining water quality when used properly. But does the UV benefit a tank like rollers and skimmers? I'm a gear junkie so I love equipment AS LONG as it provides a net benefit to the health of the tank.

 

[BryanM]

But does the UV benefit a tank like rollers and skimmers?

Benefits include improved water clarity, disease prevention, and arguably some algae control.

So: Yes, IMO. but still not remotely necessary :)

 

[vlangel]

Thanks for the responses guys. That's what I'm talking about. Opinion on the subject are vast.

I would agree that it's not needed to have a healthy tank. Don't actually need a skimmer or a roller mat for that matter, but helps in maintaining water quality when used properly. But does the UV benefit a tank like rollers and skimmers? I'm a gear junkie so I love equipment AS LONG as it provides a net benefit to the health of the tank.

UVs can be very helpful for some applications: clarifying the water column, killing dinos, algae control and parasite inhibitor.

I have run them and the water was so clear that it looked like there wasn't water in the tank.
I have actually never had dinos so I am saying that because I believe all the folks who used a UV to beat them.
They help with microalgae that is a nuisance but the flow must be dialed in correctly for a UV to be effective.
They also can kill parasites that are in the free swim stage which lowers the chances of uneffected fish of being effected. They do nothing for parasites that are on the fish already.

All that said, i liked having one but do not have one currently.

 

[FishLvR]

If I ever start a new tank I am going to set up my plumbing to where I can run one easily without modification with a bypass. I am considering reworking my current plumbing to run one now. I think my little cheap in tank unit has been very instrumental in defeating my Dinos. I am with Bryan on that one.

The way my tank is plumbed now would have to be overhauled to allow it. So it would need to be closed loop. That is the only reason I have not bought a larger external unit. So I am in the absolutely yes I would run UV if I could.

 

[Biokabe]

UV has been beneficial on my tank, insofar as that's a statement that I can make accurately. Prior to installing my UV system, I often struggled with dinos and cyano on a recurring basis. After I added it, I've never really run into either of those. I also made other changes to my tank around the same time, all designed to eliminate those same issues, so I can't say 100% that UV is what made the difference. I think it does help, but I prefer to only make definitive statements when I feel like I have enough evidence.

Having said that, it was a giant pain to retrofit the UV filter onto my system, so it's something I'm going to plan for with my next tank, and I recommend that everyone set up their system such that you can easily add one if you want to. Despite my positive feelings towards UV filtration, I completely agree with everyone who says you don't need one. But given how much of a pain they can be to set up after the fact, I do think that everyone should plan for one. Including the modifications to accept a UV filter is minimally expensive and easy to do in a dry tank, but it's definitely tricky when things are already set up.

 

[Spare time]

The answer?

Eh.


It may help prevent a disease from becoming as overwhelming in the tank, and it helps prevent bacterial blooms (so its nice to have as a preventative is something goes wrong and you are away for a decent period). However, beyond that, it may simply just remove possible coral food in the water column. I recommend them for vacation periods or for tanks that carbon dose, but other than those two and disease issues, its not really worth it imo.

 

[MegabiteOG]

Thanks all for the great responses, opinions, and personal experiences with them. I had a limited time using a UV on my last tank and just didn't want and go and dump $600 - $800 for my new tank without good reason. I'm still on the fence but this has been very helpful. Being an equipment junkie is a problem for me.