View Full Version : UV - Which One
Maverick
10-31-2005, 04:37 PM
I'm looking at getting a UV to help control my algae problem .
Which one do you folks suggest and what wattage ?
75g tank and 20g sump.
Want to get one with J & L's free shipping.:slomo:
Brent
stinga
10-31-2005, 04:40 PM
I would like to get in on a dry oreder too!if that's what's happening,need a couple little things.thax CHRIS:spin01:
shroom
10-31-2005, 05:22 PM
I could jump in for 20-30 into the order :) Thanks
stinga
10-31-2005, 05:24 PM
Come on peps we could all use something!right?okay well the offer ends today,I need to get my **** together,anyways we could still try put a little order?right.:biggrin-h
Maverick
10-31-2005, 05:25 PM
Guy's , it expires today . I haven't decided on which one yet.
$100 ain't much in this hobby.
Brent:p
jasonkozey
10-31-2005, 05:28 PM
i have a lifegard from J&L 40W!!! Its absolutly huge but it killed every drop of cyano in my tank in 3days. I've got 180g of total water. You might get away with the 25w but for the price difference you might want the bigger one. Its a great unit.
Maverick
10-31-2005, 05:34 PM
Ah , that may be the problem . Where to put the darn thing . For some reason I thought I could put it in my sump.
Brent
:help:
Hi Brent,
Save youself the trouble of up keep costs of the UV - invest in a Ozone device. Might cost a little more, but no bulb replacement. Just inject with your protein skimmer, thats it.
Lots of research on Reef Central for more information
Jamie
Ah , that may be the problem . Where to put the darn thing . For some reason I thought I could put it in my sump.
Brent
:help:
Invigor
10-31-2005, 06:03 PM
Hi Brent,
Save youself the trouble of up keep costs of the UV - invest in a Ozone device. Might cost a little more, but no bulb replacement. Just inject with your protein skimmer, thats it.
Lots of research on Reef Central for more information
Jamie
*raises hand* I second this.
jasonkozey
10-31-2005, 08:10 PM
Please inform me how ozone can kill parasites as well???? I'm not sure on price but ozonators are more money too i thought. Don't get me wrong the are pretty sweet (saves me a tonne on my hot-tub), but they are also a bit dangerous if not properly monitored for initial set up. Need an ORP tester as well. my bulb is 80 bucks replaced once every 2 years not so bad either
Invigor
10-31-2005, 08:58 PM
you can get a ozone generator from aquaria.ca for $90, and an ORP monitor for $120ish...around the same price as a 40w UV steralizer.
needless to say, I'm sure ozonizers will be a passing fad, much like UV filters were.
I've been using it for about 8 months - great results!!! Lots of info on Reef Central. You always here people talking about bulb color (ie yellow 10K), not the case with ozone. It will clear you tanks water column like nothing else I've seen. I was the same way, change my bulb for a different look. You are only masking the problem - yellow water. You bulb will seem 30% brighter after a few months of use or even a few days - ask Darren Fox he started using it. Set the ozone at a very low setting to slowly clean your tank. I do not agree thats its a passing fad, many reefers have been using ozone for many years. I believe Darren Fox has talked to people in the USA that have always used ozone. To them it is a must for reef keeping. I think today the ozone concept is directly linked with skimming. The 2 devices are like best friends - one helps breakdown organics (ozone) and the other can remove the waste better (skimmer).
Please do your reading if you are considering this option. On Reef central its a common thought that most of the ozone device are home grade equipment. You must be careful with it, but don't think crazy stuff. With a good skimmer to inject the ozone, its very safe at low levels. My ORP never goes above 325mv and 450 is still within limits, but on the high side. Again most of these device have problems raising your tank to extreme ORP readings.
Just my 2 cents
Jamie
CrazyFish
10-31-2005, 10:36 PM
I'm using a 40watt LifeGuard Sterilizers made by pentair aquatics, Speaking from my experenice,its a great UV Sterilzers. If you go with this brand ask about there new Models they just came out. www.pentairaquatics.com (http://www.pentairaquatics.com) The new models come in 10,15,25 watt. There designed for longer exposure to uv light. I also have done some research on ozone, I wouldnt go with out one, since I have started ozoning, I have seen 50% inprovement with my corals and 75% in water quality. Its not easy to keep Acropora's in dirty water. I know you can keep Acropora's with out a ozonizer, but its harder. Adding ozone dates way back, when Protein Skimmer wherent as good as today. If you do some research you fine out its an important piece of equipment to your system. Jayson from Saltwater Connection just brought in a 100 ozonizer's and he dont have much left, ask him about it as well hes been doing it for 8years. Goodluck Maverick, your more then welcome to come see my set-up. Darren
scary gary
10-31-2005, 10:50 PM
I know very little about ozone, but from what I have been reading it sounds like a pretty good thing. One of the articles I was reading says that ozone treated water should be passed through a carbon filter before being returned to the tank in order to remove any residual ozone or harmful byproducts of excessive ozonization. Has any body else read this or are you all doing this anyways.
CrazyFish
11-01-2005, 03:45 PM
Let me try to educate everyone a little on OZONE. Ozone is a highly rective form of oxygen. Ozone (03) contains 3 atoms of oxygen.The oxygen(02) we breathe contains 2atoms. It is this third atom of oxygen that allows ozne to oxidize or destroy organic wastes and contamination, bacteria,algae etc.It will also help control microorganisms. Ozone is effective even at very low levels. The only limitations is that once produced it quickly leaves the water. Ozonators uses electrical arcing to produce ozone. If you filter your water with carbon after your Protein Skimmer(being you are injecting ozone thought your skimmer) you will never have what you call Residual level of ozone. I'm not using carbon right now, It take sometime to break down all the waste in your tank. Once the waste is gone you will know just by water quailty and health of your corals.If you are worried about to high of residual levels, you can buy a OTO Test Kit from a pool supplier for $10.00. BTW if your buying a UV Sterilizer, I would in my opintion go with a Ozonizer first. Darren
Fish Head
11-02-2005, 06:52 AM
If I follow the path of ozone, what kind of skimmer would I need. Darren you've got me very interested. Crystal clear water, the oppertunity to spend money. Where do I sign.:WithStupi
Invigor
11-02-2005, 06:56 AM
when you're buying a skimmer, just check the features on it and see if it's got "ozone injection" or "ozone safe", if it's still unclear, I'm sure a quick email to the mfg can answer it.
You want a skimmer that has a good reaction chamber (i.e. Lots of bubbles). I've tried it on 2 types of skimmers - Aqua C and a Beckett style. The beckett style was the best because the injector just creates lots of bubbles. I would think the needle wheel style would also work good. I'm hoping so, because I just brought a Euro Reef from J&L.
Jamie
CrazyFish
11-02-2005, 11:05 AM
Jamies right, I picked up a LifeReef Skimmer, its designed to inject Ozone. Its one a of the few.
cary Henderson
11-03-2005, 04:20 PM
Okay i've been researching uv vs ozone too.. my big question not answered though is. If you're running MH lights..aren't you getting higher UVs in tank vs flourecent lights....making a uv steriliser unneeded.?
Invigor
11-03-2005, 05:13 PM
easy answer, no.
explained:
Single ended MH lamps emit very little UV because of the outer shell of the bulb. Double ended MH bulbs on the other hand DO emit harmful UV rays, but in most cases, unless you've made your own canopy, they come with UV absorbing sheilds so your fish/corals don't get sunburned or worse.
A UV-filter is simply a UV lamp encased inside a long clear pipe, usually made of quartz - hook up a water pump to it and the water passing through it gets exposed to the harmful UV rays...this will cause whatever gets exposed long enough to become sterile and incapable of reproducing, which is why people get it -- to "stop" parasites, bacteria, algae, etc. from reproducing. It's useage is very controversial on whether or not it's needed and/or efficient. They also need to be properly maintained, because UV lamps have a HUGE downward curve on intensity...way way way more than fluorescents/HID lamps.
I'm sure you know how a UV filter works, just thought I'd post this incase some people don't. I cannot offer my opinion as I have little experience with properly maintained UV filter units.
cary Henderson
11-03-2005, 05:24 PM
okay question answered.
except...isn't all glass uv absorbing...
and second i have a se bulb here does it matter which way i mount it..and since its se it doesn't need a uv filter between it and water right...
Invigor
11-03-2005, 05:54 PM
okay question answered.
except...isn't all glass uv absorbing...
and second i have a se bulb here does it matter which way i mount it..and since its se it doesn't need a uv filter between it and water right...
assumably yes for the glass, although I'm sure there's some fancy stuff that isn't :Chair:
as for mounting it...doesn't matter as long as it's parallel with the water.
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