UV sterilizer necessary or just a gimmick?

[purifiedsalt]

Does a UV sterilizer hurt a reef tank. I read it does because it kills both good and bad microbes. Any thoughts?

 

[Justin]

It's not necessary. It's not a gimmick.

 

[El Dude]

Not necessary. UV is mainly used to eliminate the free-swimming life stages of pathogenic organisms. Take care of your fish, always quarantine and you shouldn't need one.

 

[mark.a.smith405]

More like quarantine is a gimmick! Ha JK! I don't have space in my room for an adequate QT so I run the precautions I can, to help eliminate what I can.

 

[twomuch42004]

Its not a Gimmick but you are correct it gets rid of both good and bad bacteria so you are also hurting your tank of what it needs. Thats Y I dont run one

 

[Mr. Plant]

I use one and would't run a reef tank without it. The benefits definitely out weigh the negatives. Just make sure you buy the proper size for your tank, and run the proper flow thru it. I recommend the Aqua brand.

 

[high dollar slime]

I run one 24/7 .... Iv got no hard numbers to back it up... but it seems to work very well for me.....I think they do a great job of improving water quality and keeping micro/macro algae spores and free floating cyano down to a minimum....Like i said... no numbers.. but it seems to do very well..I have never noticed a decline in micro invert populations in my setup...JMO...ES

 

[jeffreylam1132]

I don't run one but I would definitely consider it if I have the space for it.

 

[nvictor]

I used to have one and then I removed it and i have not noticed any difference. If u are getting one just make sure you get a good brand. You don't want a water leak from a poor uv sterilizer