Laguna pond UV sterilizers

[in_flight]

anyone ever use these types of UV sterilizers in their SW setups?

would they cause a problem?

[Croman]

anyone ever use these types of UV sterilizers in their SW setups?

would they cause a problem?
Forgive me but what benefit would UV sterilizer have on a reef tank. Wouldn't the UV kill beneficial things too. Please let me see the light.

[ajx22]

If it's considered "Pond" - then I would NOT use it on a SW tank...as the SW series of products are designed to be used in the corrosive SW environment, and the FW/Pond series aren't.

[Mugster]

The basis on which they work would be the same but as AJ mentioned it may not stand up to the saltwater environment. For more information on the benefits of UV sterilization in a reef tank do a search as this topic has been discussed in detail.






Kev :twitch:

[in_flight]

Forgive me but what benefit would UV sterilizer have on a reef tank. Wouldn't the UV kill beneficial things too. Please let me see the light.

i've met quite a few people who swear by uv, yes i have heard that it does kill of some beneficial bacteria, but it also is a good preventative measure for fish disease/aptasia/algae issues and such. i guess regular dosing with phyto/reef roids/golden pearls will help offset the dieoff of beneficial bacteria due to uv

yesterday i was at continental's place and he had 15+ tangs in a single tank, all looked healthy, no signs of ick and aggression wasn't too evident, just the regular chasing. Now i was only there for a short time but by aggression i mean there weren't any nipped fins or damaged scales on the fish and he swears by UV.

i did a search here on AP and read up on all the recent posts.

Mr. Wilson is also a very large advocate on the benefits of UV

thanks AJ and Mugster, i was pretty hesitant about the pond version and wasn't going to risk buying it then finding it to be an issue afterwards

[Poontang]

I've been using a 16 watt Laguna UV sterilizer that I pulled from my pond, it is fitted with a 400gph pump. It's been on my tank for 2 years, replaced the bulb 3 times already. The only problem I've encountered is with the cracked housing and water got inside. It still works though.

[mr.wilson]

Sometimes "pond version" means it has a longer cord, as with Mag pumps. Other times it means the housing is water resistent.

One thing to take into consideration while sizing them is that UV sterilizers used for pond applications are only required to kill free-swimming algae (green water) which doesn't require a lot of wattage or slow flow. Marine aquarium applications require a higher kill ratio (either higher wattage or slower flow through).

As suggested by the others, I would stick to a marine friendly unit. You never know what's in pond models. Marine safe units usually have better seals (either neoprene or silicone).

I've been using Aqua-Medic PC units lately, but I'm also happy with the Current USA T5 units, and the more expensive Aqua-UV units with standard bulbs (don't last as long). The first two units listed are very affordable. Ryan at WTR can supply either.

Which ever unit you decide on, I recommend a bypass line off of your return for slow flow through. This will assure that you are killing bacteria and parasites as well as algae.

UV will kill phytoplankton and zooplankton, but this can be avoided by running it on a timer to shut it off at night when plankton is free-swimming. I run them 24/7 as they take a while to process all of the aquarium water. Corals get a fair shot at the food, and feedings can be carried out without lowering water quality.

Protein skimming, ozone, and mechanical filters will also remove and or kill plankton, so UV sterilizers aren't as evil as some may think.