travie

I've seen this UV Sterilizer at my local PetSmart. Would this work well/efficient to kill off free-floating pathogens and diseases in water? I would only use it for QT, hospital, and possible disease outbreaks in my SW display tank. I wouldn't run it 24/7/365. I want to stay as cheap as possible. If that UV Sterilizer wouldn't be worth my time, please point me to a link to an affordable one that is worth looking at and using.

Thank you for any input,
travie

cerianthus

I would not leave UV hooked up and run and stop and run. I rather have it run full time. Only pathogens that passed thru UV will be killed. It will take long time to kill what ever floating pathogen there may be. Make sure the pump and the return spout are as far apart as possible to insure the cleaned water does not recirculate thru Uv again and again.
If Uv was turned off,things might build up on the sleeve which will hamper the sterilization when turned on again.
I would definitely run it on SW full time if possible until you think your tank has well established (not just biologically, but stock wise also) w/o any intention of adding new livestock.

Matt

Here is a link that may help you:
http://www.aquacon.com/uvinfo.html


Hope that helps!
-Matt

travie

Any opinions on the actual UV Sterilizer? I need to know if that brand is worth it or to look at a different brand of UV Sterilizer.

Thanks for reading,
travie

Rbacchiega

I've never had experience with that one. I would save up personally and get a corallife Turbo Twist. I'd say a 3x would be fine for your tank. Unless you want to go all out, then I can point you in the direction of in line, free standing sterilizers that you'll have to decorate for christmas....no really...I put garland around the one on my 8 foot reef.

Markm0723

I have the 24W version of the UVS that you are asking about, and it works great. It has a foam insert that fits into the intake port, that will need to be rinsed every few days to keep the flow rate up, but it can be done while the unit is running, and takes all of a minute to complete. The foam reduces any film or debris collecting on the quartz sleeve so you will want to use it.

Mark

Rbacchiega

a little off topic, but is that an albino boa Mark? Very nice. I've got a couple myself...and a sunglow

Markm0723

Yes, that's my female. I've got a few more pics in the My Snakes gallery on my profile page.

Mark

Jess

I have a UV sterilizing system for my pond. It seems to keep algae blooms at bay.
Makes the water crystal clear. (healthy fish too)

pepetj

I have read not so good reviews about that particular model.

I run UV sterilization in my 145gal freshwater Oscar/Severum/Convicts tank. Clear water, one of my healthiest tank.

Please read the following article, a bit lengthy but worthy in information:
http://www.americanaquariumproducts....ilization.html

Not all models in the market work well. They are not expensive, considering you only need to replace the UV lamp every six months and carefully clean (holding against a pillow) the quartz sleeve (not all models have one) when that change takes place.

Benefits of UV, in my opinion, surpass it cost. Combine the lower wattage suitable for your tank and use (at different flow rates, different uses) with the highest possible turnover rate. Not hard to achieve, except for killing parasites.

Pepe
Santo Domingo