UV sterilizer benefits?

[Zoaeasy]

I'm planning a new 130 g (ish) peninsula after structural failure of two Nano tanks in the past two weeks! It's time for a properly designed and built system.
Is it worth installing a UV sterilizer ? What are the benefits. It does it not destroy beneficial bacteria as well?

 

[Waters]

You will get many opinions on whether to use or not use UV. I use it 24X7....the benefits for me being the clarity of the water and elimination of Dinos that caused me issues for months. It will also kill any parasites that flow through the unit. There is very little beneficial bacteria floating in the water....most of it is on the rock and other surfaces of the tank. If you are going to use it, I recommend buying the largest size you can fit and afford......the smaller UV units are unfortunately worthless.

 

[shakinghorizons]

You will get many opinions on whether to use or not use UV. I use it 24X7....the benefits for me being the clarity of the water and elimination of Dinos that caused me issues for months. It will also kill any parasites that flow through the unit. There is very little beneficial bacteria floating in the water....most of it is on the rock and other surfaces of the tank. If you are going to use it, I recommend buying the largest size you can fit and afford......the smaller UV units are unfortunately worthless.

Can you expand on your last sentence?

 

[fab]

Bump. Bigger than you may realize.

Go to manufactures' web sites and read about the required relationships amongst:
1. Wattage
2. Water flow rates.
3. System volume

Sizing a UV system involves understanding exposure level requirements for germicidal sterilization by UV radiation. UV exposure levels are determined by matching up the wattage of a UV system with how slow or fast the water moves through the unit and how long it takes to achieve multiple passes of all of your system water through the sterilizer.

It is kind of like getting sunburned. If you step out naked into strong sun for only a moment you won't get sunburn damage to your skin. Yet on another day with less sun you can get scorched if you bask in it for hours. But if you have protective clothing you won't get burned on either day.

You are not doing anything to the water itself with UV radiation. You are only zapping things in the water. If the "thing" is wearing a protective shell, it will not get burned and killed off.

Single cell bacteria that do not have hard casings are the critters you can eradicate with UV germicidal radiation. You will not kill off fleas and ticks. You will not damage bacteria with hard coverings.

The little guy is not killed directly. Rather his DNA gets damaged. Then he cannot reproduce. Eventually the population fails from infertility of the masses.

Do not run out and buy a UV sterilizer. Read, learn, then choose a UV system with assistance from the manufacturer. If you cannot discuss this directly with the actual manufacturer then stay away from that brand. There are a couple of the best manufacturers right here in the USA and they make their sterilizers in America with american labor. They will talk with you and assure you get properly sized. If you live outside the USA these are still good brands for you, but you can check for more local brands.

Sizing is very important in UV sterization equipment. So is bulb life as that determines your recurring cost. Germicidal UV radiation is great stuff for an aquarium.

Size matters. So does quality.
fab

 

[domination2580]

So what would you recommend for a 40b tank? I have way to many micro algae. Also for a 120? With a budget in mind please.

 

[jd371]

With UV you get what you pay for, don't go cheap you'll be throwing your money away. Aqua Ultraviolet is a good company look into their website, they have a filter sizing chart too that makes getting the right one easy.

 

[fab]

... choose a UV system with assistance from the manufacturer. If you cannot discuss this directly with the actual manufacturer then stay away from that brand. There are a couple of the best manufacturers right here in the USA and they make their sterilizers in America with american labor. They will talk with you and assure you get properly sized. If you live outside the USA these are still good brands for you, but you can check for more local brands.


fab

I recommend you do as I cited above, after researching a bit on your own, call a manufacturer, explain your application and they will give you competent advice.

I, personally use AquaUltraviolet.

www.aquaultraviolet.com/

Their equipment is great, their service is great and they understand aquaria issues for UV. AquaUltraviolet is one of two really good UV companies I know of. I just don't have the name of the other one handy. But I believe a member of their company is on Reef2Reef so maybe they will pick up.

... and there are more factors to the sizing of your UV sterilizer than just your tank size. That is why you need to dig deeper into what the issues are. That is why I took the time to spell out the introductory explanation above. This is not a one-size fits all game. Anyone who tells you that will be misleading you.

Bear in mind, the good stuff is not cheap.
fab

 

[brandon429]

Agreed all I would use them if the cost is nbd. I personally would only use a pond sterilizer grossly overrated by thousands of gallons because spending that money, why not ante up correctly. I once ran a uv meant for ten thou koi pond on a 75 gallon tank for a decade. Rock roll no algae no cyano all cheat burned. Was that required for success? No

But in the world of cheat purchases like skimmers, uv, go big or risk borderlining which are snooze boring results.

 

[stunreefer]

Great information in this thread, definitely recommend following fab's advice.

IME most U/V's are implemented incorrectly, whether it be due to sizing, flow, or installation. This is why talking directly with manufacturer (or very knowledgable retailer) about your specific needs will end with the best result.

IMO the best U/V's available to US:

• AquaLogic (probably overkill for most hobbyists, but they're top dog - "low" pressure U/V bulbs).
• MRC (same as AquaLogic, but they make insane custom U/V systems - "low" pressure U/V bulbs).
• Emperor Aquatics (great hobby sized models up to commercial sized - "low" pressure U/V bulbs).
• Aqua Ultraviolet (same as Emperor - "medium/high" pressure U/V bulbs).

Many of the entry level/lower end U/V units are not worth your money/time. They're a great idea that fell short in practice, but a lot of them are sold to misinformed end users, unfortunately. Do not buy into marketing regarding twists or any other shenanigans ;) For parasite control you'll want at a U/V intensity of least 90,000 µw/cm2.

 

[Waters]

Can you expand on your last sentence?

As others have stated, the effectiveness of UV relies on the strength of the bulb, time that the water is in contact with the light, and clarity of the water. The smaller units unfortunately would have to be slowed WAY down in order to keep the water in contact with the UV light to be effective. Doing that, makes the unit worthless because it would never keep up with the demands of the tank. I use Lifegard Aquatics sterilizers....mine stands over 3 feet tall which gives me different options as to what speed I want to run the water through the unit (pump/water can be slowed down for help in parasite control.....sped up for bacterial issues).

 

[Zoaeasy]

Bump. Bigger than you may realize.

Go to manufactures' web sites and read about the required relationships amongst:
1. Wattage
2. Water flow rates.
3. System volume

Sizing a UV system involves understanding exposure level requirements for germicidal sterilization by UV radiation. UV exposure levels are determined by matching up the wattage of a UV system with how slow or fast the water moves through the unit and how long it takes to achieve multiple passes of all of your system water through the sterilizer.

It is kind of like getting sunburned. If you step out naked into strong sun for only a moment you won't get sunburn damage to your skin. Yet on another day with less sun you can get scorched if you bask in it for hours. But if you have protective clothing you won't get burned on either day.

You are not doing anything to the water itself with UV radiation. You are only zapping things in the water. If the "thing" is wearing a protective shell, it will not get burned and killed off.

Single cell bacteria that do not have hard casings are the critters you can eradicate with UV germicidal radiation. You will not kill off fleas and ticks. You will not damage bacteria with hard coverings.

The little guy is not killed directly. Rather his DNA gets damaged. Then he cannot reproduce. Eventually the population fails from infertility of the masses.

Do not run out and buy a UV sterilizer. Read, learn, then choose a UV system with assistance from the manufacturer. If you cannot discuss this directly with the actual manufacturer then stay away from that brand. There are a couple of the best manufacturers right here in the USA and they make their sterilizers in America with american labor. They will talk with you and assure you get properly sized. If you live outside the USA these are still good brands for you, but you can check for more local brands.

Sizing is very important in UV sterization equipment. So is bulb life as that determines your recurring cost. Germicidal UV radiation is great stuff for an aquarium.

Size matters. So does quality.
fab

Great thanks for the advice.