UV Sterilizer help

[dodger745]

Can anyone recommend a UV unit for a 180g mixed reef? I have a manifold on my return that feeds my reactors and calcium reactor. I have an extra output that I can use to feed a sterilizer.

 

[reeffirstaid]

The highest wattage Coral Life Turbo Twist UV

 

[ReeferBob]

Don't be a cheap generic one on ebay. Quality of bulbs is key to UV working and the cheap ones are garbage.

 

[dodger745]

What about flow rates?

 

[kutcha]

i am also wondering about a UV sterilizer but i am worried about the UV sterilizer killing off good bacteria is there a certain flow rate that it optimal to kill the bad stuff but leave the good?

 

[TJ's Reef]

In our home aquariums there is not much of any 'Good Stuff' in the water column itself, the good bacteria is mostly associated with our substrates ie: sand bed and Live Rock even aquarium glass. So for a UV unit to work best it's all about contact/dwell time, the longer the better to a degree meaning longer periods kill a higher percentage of organics including algae cells and parasites but then you loose quantity of water sterilized per hour/day. IMHO / IME UV Sterilizers are really best suited to help clarify your water more than a suitable guard against parasite infestation or reproduction.


Cheers, Todd

 

[dodger745]

In our home aquariums there is not much of any 'Good Stuff' in the water column itself, the good bacteria is mostly associated with our substrates ie: sand bed and Live Rock even aquarium glass. So for a UV unit to work best it's all about contact/dwell time, the longer the better to a degree meaning longer periods kill a higher percentage of organics including algae cells and parasites but then you loose quantity of water sterilized per hour/day. IMHO / IME UV Sterilizers are really best suited to help clarify your water more than a suitable guard against parasite infestation or reproduction.


Cheers, Todd

Well that's what I was most curious about. If the UV was at all effective in helping with parasites.

 

[kutcha]

In our home aquariums there is not much of any 'Good Stuff' in the water column itself, the good bacteria is mostly associated with our substrates ie: sand bed and Live Rock even aquarium glass. So for a UV unit to work best it's all about contact/dwell time, the longer the better to a degree meaning longer periods kill a higher percentage of organics including algae cells and parasites but then you loose quantity of water sterilized per hour/day. IMHO / IME UV Sterilizers are really best suited to help clarify your water more than a suitable guard against parasite infestation or reproduction.


Cheers, Todd

so in your opinion you would say it is not at all a good preventative?

 

[stunreefer Verified Sponsor]

I really like the Aqua Ultraviolet units and have used them for years.

They are most definitely effective in keeping parasites at bay. Are they the end all be all of parasite control? Heck no, but they are very effective.

Whatever unit you go with use the manufacturer recommended flow rates. Follow the "sterilizer" flow rate opposed to "clarifier" flow rate for aquarium purposes.

 

[ReeferBob]

I ran mine using a 200gph small pump.