UV sterilizer or protein skimmer

16 posts • Page 1 of 2

Discuss all topics related to saltwater / reef tanks.


Tien6079
 
Posts: 99
Joined: Fri May 16, 2008 6:59 am

UV sterilizer or protein skimmer

by Tien6079

I am converting my fresh water tank to salt. I have read a few books on sltwater tanks but this will be my first salt tank. It is 100 gallons and is filtered with a Marineland C360 canister filter. I am very faithful on weekly water changes. I am contemplating getting a second small filter that has a UV sterilizer or a protein skimmer. Which one would be the most benificial for my tank? My current filter does a great job so I am thinking not to get the filter/UV combo, but rather get a stand alone UV sterilizer. Any thoughts?


Deltasigpony3648
 
Posts: 314
Joined: Mon Nov 19, 2007 7:21 am

by Deltasigpony3648

basically if you have coral protein skimmer if not uv that what i go by....so if you only in salt for the fish go uv if you can only choose one. What i would do if i was you is if you fish only get the protein skimmer and the stand alone uv and if you ever want to have coral just switch off the uv


puffedupseagull
 
Posts: 623
Joined: Tue Mar 11, 2008 8:38 am

by puffedupseagull

IMO I think a skimmer for sure would be way more beneficial. uv is more a disease thing, skimmer is for water quality


schigara
 
Posts: 468
Joined: Fri Mar 14, 2008 5:42 pm

by schigara

I also agree the skimmer would be better.

Are you going to have the tank drilled and use a sump?

Are you going to use live rock and sand bed as primary biological filter?


Tien6079
 
Posts: 99
Joined: Fri May 16, 2008 6:59 am

by Tien6079

I have sand and 2 media trays in my filter dedicated to biological filtration. The rock in the background of my tank is very porous and will also house bacteria.


Snowboss4492
 
Posts: 2098
Joined: Sun Jan 27, 2008 11:24 pm

by Snowboss4492

i haven't completely been sold on UV sterilizers at all.............of the people i've talked to who use them successfully .............they are useing them for a specific reason,

from what i've read they can actually be detrimental to good bactierias and other microscopic organisms .................so until I'm a hard core super reefer {many years from now, lol} i don't think ill be entertaining a UV sterilizer

JMO

Boss


fihsboy
 
Posts: 1837
Joined: Wed Mar 19, 2008 4:20 pm

by fihsboy

Yeah....I hear they are sweet.....but what most people DONT tell you is it also kills the tiny algae spores that your corals live and thrive on. Corals house tiny algae spores to capture light and live through photosynthesis......so I would just get a skimmer.


Tien6079
 
Posts: 99
Joined: Fri May 16, 2008 6:59 am

by Tien6079

Thanks for all of the great information! I will get a skimmer. Have any ideas for a decent SMALL skimmer. I need a small one as I have VERY limited space to hang equipment on the backside of my tank. If you look at the pics u will see a rock background. Those rocks are epoxied to plexy glass I put in the tank. The plexy is angled at the corner of the tanks to create out of view "equipment areas." Each area is ported for pumps, filters, heaters, and are drilled to allow great water circulation. I already have plent of equipment in these areas so I will need a compact skimmer suitable for around 100 gallons. Any ideas of a good brand/model?


Snowboss4492
 
Posts: 2098
Joined: Sun Jan 27, 2008 11:24 pm

by Snowboss4492

redsea prizm deluxe - awsome HOB skimmer but a little under sized for a 120


Tien6079
 
Posts: 99
Joined: Fri May 16, 2008 6:59 am

by Tien6079

That looks like a good skimmer. With all of my background my tank is only effectively 90 or 100 gallons so it is a little better than the skimmer running a full 120 gallons. As I am somewhat new to the saltwater do you think that skimmer will provide enough of a benifit to my fish to justify the price and the space? I am very good at water changes. Considering this do you think the skimmer will make an impact on the water quality? I want the best environment for my fish, but I also do not want to spend more$ if it won't make a big difference. Oh, I forgot to mention it will be a fish only tank.

UV sterilizer or protein skimmer

16 posts • Page 1 of 2

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