I have never run a UV Sterilizer on my reef. I have heard that they will kill hair algea and other unwanted things. Does any members run a UV on their reef? Is it worth purchasing? I know someone that currently has 2 , 9watt units for sale for about 50% of what they cost new. Is it worth spending the money?
I bought one a couple of years ago to clear up a green water situation in a new tank setup. It will kill everything that goes through it inc desirable critters like pods. I don't know how you would get hair algae to travel through the device.
I recently had a hair algae outberak in my 400 and bought a UV sterilizer from Chris, got it hooked up last thursday, and can already see a vast improvement in the algae problem. My skimmers are also working much better and my water is clearing up nicely. The algae is turning a brownish color and releasing from the rocks and equipment. It is then caught in the overflow to my sump and goes through the skimmers and the UV. It does kill everything living that goes through it, including parasites in their free swimming stage, but I think the benefits far outweigh the negatives. I would like to hear from others on this subject.
