do i need a uv sterilizer?

[jimsreeftank]

I dont have any problems but i put uv on my daughters tank due to ick. I run a 350 gallon fish reef.

 

[swfk44]

uv lights also help with algae i think, i have always run one just bought a new bulb and will be hooking mine back up today

 

[porpoiseaquatics]

UV will only kill algae at either a very high wattage or a very slow flow rate. I believe they are good to have on a tank. Put it on a timer and only run it for half a day.

 

[mph84]

porpoiseaquatics;826654 wrote: UV will only kill algae at either a very high wattage or a very slow flow rate. I believe they are good to have on a tank. Put it on a timer and only run it for half a day.

Why would you suggest only half a day??

 

[merkywater]

porpoiseaquatics;826654 wrote: UV will only kill algae at either a very high wattage or a very slow flow rate. I believe they are good to have on a tank. Put it on a timer and only run it for half a day.

Jeff I've actually heard it isn't good to cut UVs on and off....

 

[glxtrix]

mph84;826680 wrote: Why would you suggest only half a day??

They say not to run at night due to pods coming out more, you could potentially harm the population...I've never really seen a huge decline in my pods and I run uv 24/7...have for many years. Keep in mind UV adds a good bit of heat to your system. And a large 300+ system, you're going to need a nice size UV setup. There are pluses and minuses to running UV, I say if you don't have any issues, and everything seems fine, I wouldn't worry about that expense.

 

[grouper therapy]

glxtrix;826724 wrote: They say not to run at night due to pods coming out more, you could potentially harm the population...I've never really seen a huge decline in my pods and I run uv 24/7...have for many years. Keep in mind UV adds a good bit of heat to your system. And a large 300+ system, you're going to need a nice size UV setup. There are pluses and minuses to running UV, I say if you don't have any issues, and everything seems fine, I wouldn't worry about that expense.

I've always heard that as well but I have never ever seen a pod in my filter sock which it would have to go through to get to the UV.