UV sterilzer recomendations.

[gadolinium]

I am doing a 50 gallon build. Wanted to get some advice about the turbo twist 9w versus the aqua ultraviolet 8w with wiper. Or other models if people have suggestions. Also what pump would I use for the uv sterilizer?
Thanks.

 

[PSU4ME]

I think the emperor aquatics UV's are the best.........rated accurately, built like a tank and perform well.

 

[JohnK]

Any sterilizer is going to have a reccomended flow rate, so the pump should be matched based on that.

That said, is there any particular reason you want the UV? Not that they are bad, but people often purchase them for the wrong reasons and in those cases the money would likely be better spent on other equipment or livestock.

 

[gadolinium]

Getting the UV sterilizer for a few reasons.
1. New tank build, I'd like to start out with all the plumbing without having to modify later.
2. I don't have room for a quarintine tank and will be having fish.
3. Can help with algae.

 

[JohnK]

#2 was what I was afraid of. UV might help to reduce parisite infections a bit, but will not prevent or cure them. Won't hurt, but will provide a dangerous, false sense of security...

Also won't do much of anything about algae problems other than green water (which is quite rare)

 

[RiverRat]

I have an Aqua Ultraviolet plumbed into the PVC of my tank. If I ever feel the need to run it (I rarely do), I use valves to redirect the water through it. No pumps needed.

+1 with John K......A quarantine tank is one of the best tools in this hobby. I didn't use one when I was a beginner, just thinking back there was so much trouble I could of avoided if I did. Besides keeping the main system clean and all fish healthy, I have a few frags of coral to use as "testers", it gives me an idea if there will be a nipping problem in the future.

 

[gadolinium]

So would it be better to skip the UV sterilizer?

 

[JohnK]

I would. It's an extra piece of eqiupment that you probably won't need. I'd put the $ toward other basic equipment and if you find a need for UV down the road you can always add it. (maybe plan in a T with a ball valve in your return plumbing for whatever accessory you might want to add in the future, this way it would be easy to add the UV, or a GFO reactor, or bio-pellet reactor, or Ca reactor feed, or who knows what other gadget you might want someday.

 

[gadolinium]

Thanks. With the money I save I could plumb everything with copper tubing. Or buy my RODI unit.

 

[PSU4ME]

Copper tubing? Can you explain that?

 

[Trevor]

Copper tubing? Can you explain that?

+1..

 

[jayinh]

OMG I hope that was a joke::

 

[gadolinium]

Yes JK.

 

[PSU4ME]

Phew!

 

[Trevor]

Haha

 

[BackInTheTank]

Reading that ( copper tubing ) my eyes blew open wide!!

 

[higorc]

Thanks. With the money I save I could plumb everything with copper tubing. Or buy my RODI unit.

HAHA! Luv it Copper plumbing...that kind of took me back a little. Hey, at least it's shinny and strong...and we would see some not so cool pics of "Copper Vs. Salt Water Tank".

I feel bad even thinking this, but it would be almost funny seeing someone plumbing their tank with copper pipes and then asking why everything is dying...

I can't even begin to imagine all the responses to the thread... Now that would humor me!!!

Higor

 

[JohnK]

A couple of yrs ago someone on RC had his corals dying and couldn't figure out what was wrong. Bob (stingythingy45) was the one who spotted the copper fitting in the guy's sump.

Too bad though, I wish I could take all my old junk PVC to the scrap yard and get good $ for it.