i need some clarification about uv
- Thread starter EILAT
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DonW
R.I.P.
EILAT said:
It depends on who you talk to. I would say UV would be a welcome addition. There are alot of people who us UV, ozone, filter socks and many other things that are suppose to strip to much out of the water. Personally killing a few pods isnt really going to hurt anything. The bennefits outway the negative in most cases.
Don
wrassehole
wannabe reefmaster
what Don said times two.
NaH2O
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jan 25, 2004
- Messages
- 8,568
Perhaps it would be best to figure out what the reasons are as to why they aren't a good thing? What have you been told? I know there are certainly some beautiful reefs out there using UV, as Don stated. My personal feeling is they do more good than harm, however that wasn't always the case. I used to think they were a bad thing....until I learned a little bit about how they function and what they do. Maybe if you let us know what your concerns are, we can address those, so you can set-up the type of reef you would like to have.
jojo
Well-known member
I use a uv on my reef and love the results that I have gotten from it. I originally purchased it for desease control but I am amazed with all the additional benefits. Within about an hour or 2 after hooking it up my water went from clear to crystal clear. Also I have not noticed a decrease in the pod population at all wich is likely because they are not free floating organisms. I have also read that uv's break down additional protiens that skimmers can not. To me it seems my system has been alot healthier with alot less algea since I started running the uv and if anything my corals seem healthier.
-JoJo
-JoJo
wrightme43
Well-known member
I use a uv system on every reef I set up, and on my systems at home. I like what they do. If someone is being "snooty" with you at a fish store, maybe, you should find a better fish store. JMO. Steve
wrightme43
Well-known member
I think we spend way to much money, to get anything but good service.
cronicreef
Active member
- Joined
- Jul 18, 2004
- Messages
- 38
I have heard to if your water goes still that your tank has a better chance of surviving a longer time. If your not using a UV and your water goes still your tank could go anarobic. Which from what I understand everything that you work hard to keep in water quility goes bad.
Some also say to run them 24/7 and some say just a few hours a day. It's all depends on what you believe your trying to do. I'm still looking into it befor rushing to by one like I always do.
Some also say to run them 24/7 and some say just a few hours a day. It's all depends on what you believe your trying to do. I'm still looking into it befor rushing to by one like I always do.
DonW
R.I.P.
cronicreef said:
That really depends on the system and the amount of polution. UV is not the cure all that some make it out to be. It also will not cause the bio destruction that others claim. There is no subtitute for good husbandry.
Don
jojo
Well-known member
Uv's also help with chemical warfare between corals.
aquariumdebacle
electrolyte addict
snooty guy in the U-Disrict
More than likey I was the guy trying to dicourage you from using U.V. The reason that I shy away from the use of it is that it is rarely used properly and almost never maintained properly. The amount of flow and the size of the unit must be larger than most if not all maufacurer's recomendations. The recomended sizes are insuffient in most cases. Take their advice and oversize by double. The flow past the actual light must be sufficiently slow to allow for a good contact time to kill microorganisms. Even still, larger microbes and parasites are going to probably make it through in a survivable percentage.
The best way to use a U.V. is in a system that has a five micron screen infront of it and carbon polishing after it. This will remove the larger microbes and spores and clean the water to get maximum penetration from the U.V. The polishing with carbon will remove any nasty combinations created by the U.V. reacting with molcules. It can be used in conjuction with other types of filtration. It should not be used to "cure" anything and will at best give a little more time before outbreaks will be noticed. Be sure to keep the sleeve clean and replace the bulbs.
The main reason for not recommending this type of system to any but the most dedicated is that without the diligence to keep the sleeve clean and the bulbs changed the system becomes merely one more expensive piece of circulation equipment. Save your money and invest in a little elbow grease and research and you will have more rewarding results.
More than likey I was the guy trying to dicourage you from using U.V. The reason that I shy away from the use of it is that it is rarely used properly and almost never maintained properly. The amount of flow and the size of the unit must be larger than most if not all maufacurer's recomendations. The recomended sizes are insuffient in most cases. Take their advice and oversize by double. The flow past the actual light must be sufficiently slow to allow for a good contact time to kill microorganisms. Even still, larger microbes and parasites are going to probably make it through in a survivable percentage.
The best way to use a U.V. is in a system that has a five micron screen infront of it and carbon polishing after it. This will remove the larger microbes and spores and clean the water to get maximum penetration from the U.V. The polishing with carbon will remove any nasty combinations created by the U.V. reacting with molcules. It can be used in conjuction with other types of filtration. It should not be used to "cure" anything and will at best give a little more time before outbreaks will be noticed. Be sure to keep the sleeve clean and replace the bulbs.
The main reason for not recommending this type of system to any but the most dedicated is that without the diligence to keep the sleeve clean and the bulbs changed the system becomes merely one more expensive piece of circulation equipment. Save your money and invest in a little elbow grease and research and you will have more rewarding results.
Excellent post Dan!! I use three units on my tank for a total of 120 watts but as Dans says unless you use it and size it properly it is not going to have the effect you want. A UV when set up properly is a good means to disinfect you tank from harmful parasites and protozoans.
to the snooty guy
If you are the same guy that works The Fish Store on Roosevelt way, the only thing you have managed to do is discourage me form every visiting that store again. If you would have bothered to explain as you did in your post instead of telling me no and than adding I'm not going to tell you again. But if this is you I assume you must have had some hard life experiences and that's why you are so rude. What goes around comes around and I assume you life must suck. If you not that guy than please ignore this post
If you are the same guy that works The Fish Store on Roosevelt way, the only thing you have managed to do is discourage me form every visiting that store again. If you would have bothered to explain as you did in your post instead of telling me no and than adding I'm not going to tell you again. But if this is you I assume you must have had some hard life experiences and that's why you are so rude. What goes around comes around and I assume you life must suck. If you not that guy than please ignore this post
aquariumdebacle
electrolyte addict
Not THAT GuY!
Nope not that guy, I've had similar experiences at that store. Your typical underpayed, unappreciated employees. The owner is extremely difficult to work for and they have a high turnover rate. I have had good experiences their but I've let them know right away that they can't baffle me with B.S. It's just like anything else you shop for if you don't know what you want going into the store you're probably not going to come out with it either. The sales people are their to get you out the door with as little of your cash as possible. Arm yourself with information and don't get into a battle of wits with unarmed people
Nope not that guy, I've had similar experiences at that store. Your typical underpayed, unappreciated employees. The owner is extremely difficult to work for and they have a high turnover rate. I have had good experiences their but I've let them know right away that they can't baffle me with B.S. It's just like anything else you shop for if you don't know what you want going into the store you're probably not going to come out with it either. The sales people are their to get you out the door with as little of your cash as possible. Arm yourself with information and don't get into a battle of wits with unarmed people
aquariumdebacle
electrolyte addict
clarifcation
Could you or somone else delve into this further? My simple little mind is having difficulty grasping this concept. I can easily understand how carbon would cause this but I'm not so sure that UV would significantly degrade the nasty chemicals used by corals.
P.S. been known to be snooty
Could you or somone else delve into this further? My simple little mind is having difficulty grasping this concept. I can easily understand how carbon would cause this but I'm not so sure that UV would significantly degrade the nasty chemicals used by corals.
P.S. been known to be snooty
BlennyBabe
Rachel
Im with Dan here, I too would like some more information. Perhaps it just modifys the molecules of toxins and makes them less toxic? I would have to do more research of course, but this is just quick speculation.
