uv sterilizer???

[SteelBlue]

What is this thing? Guy at my LFS recommended one. Says its a great thing to
have, makes the skimmer work better also. I get real confused when you go
scientific on me about what things do.
I got 125 gal tank and want to get better filtration so I don't have to
change the water so much.
maybe 50# of live rock
1-2" live sand
2 large triggers'
1 damsel that won't give up
1 spotted puffer
Old filter system that came with the tank from pet cemetery (supermarket)
with the filter medium/bio balls/rio pump.
I have a 40 gallon tank I would like to convert into a sump and I have seen
Marks site with the set up.
still confused on where to begin
I have a small skimmer

I thought of getting this sterilizer and a stronger pump. I hear all the
grips about the rio and don't want to wait for it to fail.
Where to begin?? Thanks
Jamie-Tampa Florida

[Marc Levenson]

Hi Jamie,

Okay, this is what it sounds like you have:

125g FOWLR setup, some sand, and a wet/dry sump. A few fish, and that's about
it.

If you want to improve the water quality, you're going to have to makes a few
seemingly expensive changes.

Two more inches of sand, seeded with a couple of cups of live sand from your
tank. Or better yet, from another tank, to diversify your pod population.

A great skimmer that can handle 125g (plus sump volume) *easily*. Not a skimmer
that barely does it.
Set up a sump that doesn't use bioballs or filter media. Incorporate a refugium
into sump for the ideal setup. I just put a page together to help you figure
out what to do from scratch, and I hope it helps answer some of those confusing
thoughts:

http://www.melevsreef.com/make_a_sump.html

By running things this way, you'll open up the opportunity to add new things to
your tank that previously weren't an option. Getting good quality lighting will
be the final step and then you can add corals that are compatible with your
lights and your fish. Your water quality will be superb compared to what you
have currently.

Marc


SteelBlue wrote:

> What is this thing? Guy at my LFS recommended one. Says its a great thing to
> have, makes the skimmer work better also. I get real confused when you go
> scientific on me about what things do.
> I got 125 gal tank and want to get better filtration so I don't have to
> change the water so much.
> maybe 50# of live rock
> 1-2" live sand
> 2 large triggers'
> 1 damsel that won't give up
> 1 spotted puffer
> Old filter system that came with the tank from pet cemetery (supermarket)
> with the filter medium/bio balls/rio pump.
> I have a 40 gallon tank I would like to convert into a sump and I have seen
> Marks site with the set up.
> still confused on where to begin
> I have a small skimmer
>
> I thought of getting this sterilizer and a stronger pump. I hear all the
> grips about the rio and don't want to wait for it to fail.
> Where to begin?? Thanks
> Jamie-Tampa Florida

--
Personal Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com

[Marc Levenson]

Btw, I toally forgot to mention you don't need a UV Sterilizer, because it will
kill the good bugs you want even while it kills any bad bugs (bacteria).

Marc


SteelBlue wrote:

> What is this thing? Guy at my LFS recommended one. Says its a great thing to
> have, makes the skimmer work better also. I get real confused when you go
> scientific on me about what things do.
>

--
Personal Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com

[Richard Reynolds]

I somewhat disagree with marc. unless you are considering a reef, in which some of your
fish are gona have to be changed out.

BUT

a UV wont help do what you are asking it to do.

IMO a UV is a good thing in a FO & FOWLR when you feed live foods, these are not given Q
time and can often have things you dont want, its only a little added insurance, but it is
insurance.

my recomendations for change are: add your sump, a BIG KICK BUTT skimmer, and a
refugium(can be part of the 40gal or seperate) with lots of light and macro algae. any
pods/worms you might add directly will be trigger food.

also I would never remove bio filtration from a 125 with 2 large triggers, and any puffer.


--
Richard Reynolds

[Mort]

Just my .02 here but I thought triggers were known to eat Live Rock.
That's just what I have read and is the main reason I did not get any
triggers.

What is your goal Jaime? Are you wanting to end up with a reef eventually
or stay with a FOWLR?

~Mort

[SteelBlue]

Mort,
Yes, I do see the triggers munching on live rock some. I have had a
difficult time keeping fish alive. Probably a good skimmer is needed from
what I have been reading as the most important filtering device. I would
eventually like to have a reef. The triggers just seem to be hardy and have
lived for several months. It will be a while before I have a reef due to the
expense of the lighting. I think I will start by getting a better skimmer
rather than the UV sterilizer. The LFS guy suggested the uv as a way that he
cleaned his water and it would produce improved efficiency of my cheap
protein skimmer. I honestly don't know what FOWLR stands for. I would like
to eventually have a few fish and corals. It might be a couple of years
before I get to that. Thanks, Jamie
"Mort" > wrote in message
y.com...
>
> Just my .02 here but I thought triggers were known to eat Live Rock.
> That's just what I have read and is the main reason I did not get any
> triggers.
>
> What is your goal Jaime? Are you wanting to end up with a reef eventually
> or stay with a FOWLR?
>
> ~Mort
>
>
>

[SteelBlue]

Marc,
could you send me the attachment to your site for the sump information
again. I lost it as well as your post. I looked at it but needed to go do
some car work and it appears that I have lost it somehow. As well as the
other post from the guy that responded besides Mort with the other opinion.
Rough day, car needed towed after $650 in repairs.
I guess I'll be waiting to buy the skimmer also....
Thanks, Jamie
"Mort" > wrote in message
y.com...
>
> Just my .02 here but I thought triggers were known to eat Live Rock.
> That's just what I have read and is the main reason I did not get any
> triggers.
>
> What is your goal Jaime? Are you wanting to end up with a reef eventually
> or stay with a FOWLR?
>
> ~Mort
>
>
>

[Mort]

FOWLR = Fish Only With Live Rock.. (So, almost a reef but not quite)

Here is a link to the other response besides Marcs...

news:srQEb.22083$gN.1982@fed1read05

and I'll have to let Marc answer the other stuff.


FWIW, I went through the same thing you are about 8 months ago with the UV
sterilizer. I would recommend it if you had a FO (Fish Only) tank.
But if you want a reef, a UV is not a good idea.

HTH

~Mort

"SteelBlue" > wrote in message
ink.net...
> Marc,
> could you send me the attachment to your site for the sump information
> again. I lost it as well as your post. I looked at it but needed to go do
> some car work and it appears that I have lost it somehow. As well as the
> other post from the guy that responded besides Mort with the other
opinion.
> Rough day, car needed towed after $650 in repairs.
> I guess I'll be waiting to buy the skimmer also....
> Thanks, Jamie
> "Mort" > wrote in message
> y.com...
> >
> > Just my .02 here but I thought triggers were known to eat Live Rock.
> > That's just what I have read and is the main reason I did not get any
> > triggers.
> >
> > What is your goal Jaime? Are you wanting to end up with a reef
eventually
> > or stay with a FOWLR?
> >
> > ~Mort
> >
> >
> >
>
>

[SteelBlue]

Thanks a lot Mort...

"Mort" > wrote in message
y.com...
> FOWLR = Fish Only With Live Rock.. (So, almost a reef but not quite)
>
> Here is a link to the other response besides Marcs...
>
> news:srQEb.22083$gN.1982@fed1read05
>
> and I'll have to let Marc answer the other stuff.
>
>
> FWIW, I went through the same thing you are about 8 months ago with the UV
> sterilizer. I would recommend it if you had a FO (Fish Only) tank.
> But if you want a reef, a UV is not a good idea.
>
> HTH
>
> ~Mort
>
> "SteelBlue" > wrote in message
> ink.net...
> > Marc,
> > could you send me the attachment to your site for the sump information
> > again. I lost it as well as your post. I looked at it but needed to go
do
> > some car work and it appears that I have lost it somehow. As well as the
> > other post from the guy that responded besides Mort with the other
> opinion.
> > Rough day, car needed towed after $650 in repairs.
> > I guess I'll be waiting to buy the skimmer also....
> > Thanks, Jamie
> > "Mort" > wrote in message
> > y.com...
> > >
> > > Just my .02 here but I thought triggers were known to eat Live Rock.
> > > That's just what I have read and is the main reason I did not get any
> > > triggers.
> > >
> > > What is your goal Jaime? Are you wanting to end up with a reef
> eventually
> > > or stay with a FOWLR?
> > >
> > > ~Mort
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>

[Marc Levenson]

Sump information? Oh, you mean this webpage:

http://www.melevsreef.com/make_a_sump.html


Here is my previous post, in case you wanted the text as well:

Hi Jamie,

Okay, this is what it sounds like you have:

125g FOWLR setup, some sand, and a wet/dry sump. A few fish, and that's about
it.

If you want to improve the water quality, you're going to have to makes a few
seemingly expensive changes.

Two more inches of sand, seeded with a couple of cups of live sand from your
tank. Or better yet, from another tank, to diversify your pod population.

A great skimmer that can handle 125g (plus sump volume) *easily*. Not a skimmer

that barely does it.
Set up a sump that doesn't use bioballs or filter media. Incorporate a refugium

into sump for the ideal setup. I just put a page together to help you figure
out what to do from scratch, and I hope it helps answer some of those confusing
thoughts:

http://www.melevsreef.com/make_a_sump.html

By running things this way, you'll open up the opportunity to add new things to
your tank that previously weren't an option. Getting good quality lighting will

be the final step and then you can add corals that are compatible with your
lights and your fish. Your water quality will be superb compared to what you
have currently.

I toally forgot to mention you don't need a UV Sterilizer, because it will
kill the good bugs you want even while it kills any bad bugs (bacteria).

HTH (Hope that helps)

Marc

SteelBlue wrote:

> Marc,
> could you send me the attachment to your site for the sump information
> again. I lost it as well as your post. I looked at it but needed to go do
> some car work and it appears that I have lost it somehow. As well as the
> other post from the guy that responded besides Mort with the other opinion.
> Rough day, car needed towed after $650 in repairs.
> I guess I'll be waiting to buy the skimmer also....
> Thanks, Jamie
> "Mort" > wrote in message
> y.com...
> >
> > Just my .02 here but I thought triggers were known to eat Live Rock.
> > That's just what I have read and is the main reason I did not get any
> > triggers.
> >
> > What is your goal Jaime? Are you wanting to end up with a reef eventually
> > or stay with a FOWLR?
> >
> > ~Mort
> >
> >
> >

--
Personal Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com

[SteelBlue]

Thanks Marc, I'll start investigating.
How would I make a 40 gal glass aquarium (sump) have different chambers?
What kind and size of skimmer you think?
thanks again for all your time here.....Jamie
you da man!!!


"Marc Levenson" > wrote in message
...
> Sump information? Oh, you mean this webpage:
>
> http://www.melevsreef.com/make_a_sump.html
>
>
> Here is my previous post, in case you wanted the text as well:
>
> Hi Jamie,
>
> Okay, this is what it sounds like you have:
>
> 125g FOWLR setup, some sand, and a wet/dry sump. A few fish, and that's
about
> it.
>
> If you want to improve the water quality, you're going to have to makes a
few
> seemingly expensive changes.
>
> Two more inches of sand, seeded with a couple of cups of live sand from
your
> tank. Or better yet, from another tank, to diversify your pod population.
>
> A great skimmer that can handle 125g (plus sump volume) *easily*. Not a
skimmer
>
> that barely does it.
> Set up a sump that doesn't use bioballs or filter media. Incorporate a
refugium
>
> into sump for the ideal setup. I just put a page together to help you
figure
> out what to do from scratch, and I hope it helps answer some of those
confusing
> thoughts:
>
> http://www.melevsreef.com/make_a_sump.html
>
> By running things this way, you'll open up the opportunity to add new
things to
> your tank that previously weren't an option. Getting good quality
lighting will
>
> be the final step and then you can add corals that are compatible with
your
> lights and your fish. Your water quality will be superb compared to what
you
> have currently.
>
> I toally forgot to mention you don't need a UV Sterilizer, because it will
> kill the good bugs you want even while it kills any bad bugs (bacteria).
>
> HTH (Hope that helps)
>
> Marc
>
> SteelBlue wrote:
>
> > Marc,
> > could you send me the attachment to your site for the sump information
> > again. I lost it as well as your post. I looked at it but needed to go
do
> > some car work and it appears that I have lost it somehow. As well as the
> > other post from the guy that responded besides Mort with the other
opinion.
> > Rough day, car needed towed after $650 in repairs.
> > I guess I'll be waiting to buy the skimmer also....
> > Thanks, Jamie
> > "Mort" > wrote in message
> > y.com...
> > >
> > > Just my .02 here but I thought triggers were known to eat Live Rock.
> > > That's just what I have read and is the main reason I did not get any
> > > triggers.
> > >
> > > What is your goal Jaime? Are you wanting to end up with a reef
eventually
> > > or stay with a FOWLR?
> > >
> > > ~Mort
> > >
> > >
> > >
>
> --
> Personal Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
> Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
> Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com
>
>

[Marc Levenson]

Some people use 1/4" acrylic (not 1/8"!) for partitions and baffles, and glue
them in place with silicone.

FYI, silicone will not bond with acrylic, so running a bead on each side of each
baffle will basically act as a wedge or 'wall' once cured, preventing the
acrylic from moving. According to one guy's research (he posted it in the DIY
Forum on Reef Central), the best option was Weld-On #40 (2 part solution) to
bond acrylic to glass and have any strength.

If you use glass instead, go to a glass shop and buy the correct sizes, having
them polished so there are no sharp edges. You'll have to reach in you sump
from time to time and there is no reason to get sliced!

Once you've picked your skimmer, make the entrance big enough for the skimmer.
Your next section can be a refugium and doesn't have to be that large. 5 to 10"
wide, depending on the total length of your 40g sump. The final area is your
return, and you want that to be as large as you can, to combat evaporation and
allow you to actually be out of town occasionally for a day or two. If the last
section is small, evaporation makes that area drain very quickly. I had a
little sump at one time that only had so much room, and if power went out of the
return pump seized/failed the sump would overflow if it was too full. I had to
top it off twice a day!!! A bigger sump may go for several day, and an
auto-top off is a great way to keep salinity stable.

For a skimmer on a 125g, I'd get a Aqua C EV-180 or larger. After all, I have a
EV-200 on my 55g. <grin> Or a EuroReef (don't know the model numbers by heart).

Marc


SteelBlue wrote:

> Thanks Marc, I'll start investigating.
> How would I make a 40 gal glass aquarium (sump) have different chambers?
> What kind and size of skimmer you think?
> thanks again for all your time here.....Jamie
> you da man!!!
>
> "Marc Levenson" > wrote in message
> ...
> > Sump information? Oh, you mean this webpage:
> >
> > http://www.melevsreef.com/make_a_sump.html
> >
> >
> > Here is my previous post, in case you wanted the text as well:
> >
> > Hi Jamie,
> >
> > Okay, this is what it sounds like you have:
> >
> > 125g FOWLR setup, some sand, and a wet/dry sump. A few fish, and that's
> about
> > it.
> >
> > If you want to improve the water quality, you're going to have to makes a
> few
> > seemingly expensive changes.
> >
> > Two more inches of sand, seeded with a couple of cups of live sand from
> your
> > tank. Or better yet, from another tank, to diversify your pod population.
> >
> > A great skimmer that can handle 125g (plus sump volume) *easily*. Not a
> skimmer
> >
> > that barely does it.
> > Set up a sump that doesn't use bioballs or filter media. Incorporate a
> refugium
> >
> > into sump for the ideal setup. I just put a page together to help you
> figure
> > out what to do from scratch, and I hope it helps answer some of those
> confusing
> > thoughts:
> >
> > http://www.melevsreef.com/make_a_sump.html
> >
> > By running things this way, you'll open up the opportunity to add new
> things to
> > your tank that previously weren't an option. Getting good quality
> lighting will
> >
> > be the final step and then you can add corals that are compatible with
> your
> > lights and your fish. Your water quality will be superb compared to what
> you
> > have currently.
> >
> > I toally forgot to mention you don't need a UV Sterilizer, because it will
> > kill the good bugs you want even while it kills any bad bugs (bacteria).
> >
> > HTH (Hope that helps)
> >
> > Marc
> >
> > SteelBlue wrote:
> >
> > > Marc,
> > > could you send me the attachment to your site for the sump information
> > > again. I lost it as well as your post. I looked at it but needed to go
> do
> > > some car work and it appears that I have lost it somehow. As well as the
> > > other post from the guy that responded besides Mort with the other
> opinion.
> > > Rough day, car needed towed after $650 in repairs.
> > > I guess I'll be waiting to buy the skimmer also....
> > > Thanks, Jamie
> > > "Mort" > wrote in message
> > > y.com...
> > > >
> > > > Just my .02 here but I thought triggers were known to eat Live Rock.
> > > > That's just what I have read and is the main reason I did not get any
> > > > triggers.
> > > >
> > > > What is your goal Jaime? Are you wanting to end up with a reef
> eventually
> > > > or stay with a FOWLR?
> > > >
> > > > ~Mort
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> >
> > --
> > Personal Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
> > Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
> > Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com
> >
> >

--
Personal Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com

[Marc Levenson]

Forgot to mention don't use window pane glass, it is too thin and too brittle.

Marc


Marc Levenson wrote:

> If you use glass instead, go to a glass shop and buy the correct sizes, having
> them polished so there are no sharp edges. You'll have to reach in you sump
> from time to time and there is no reason to get sliced!
>

--
Personal Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com

[CapFusion]

"SteelBlue" > wrote in message
ink.net...
> Mort,
> Yes, I do see the triggers munching on live rock some. I have had a
> difficult time keeping fish alive. Probably a good skimmer is needed from
> what I have been reading as the most important filtering device. I would
> eventually like to have a reef. The triggers just seem to be hardy and
have
> lived for several months. It will be a while before I have a reef due to
the
> expense of the lighting. I think I will start by getting a better skimmer
> rather than the UV sterilizer. The LFS guy suggested the uv as a way that
he
> cleaned his water and it would produce improved efficiency of my cheap
> protein skimmer. I honestly don't know what FOWLR stands for. I would like
> to eventually have a few fish and corals. It might be a couple of years
> before I get to that. Thanks, Jamie

Regarding abou UV, it function or job is to kill any micro-organism (bad and
good). That all it does.

In Reef type of environment, due to some critter that depend and need. Take
clam and some invertabrate and filter coral that feed on macro organism to
be healthy.

If your tank just have fishes, then UV maybe of usefull. UV will kill any
bacteria or small macro/micro-organism that will get through your UV. Your
PS and any other filter will take care of the rest.

Do you get the general idea of an UV?

CapFusion,...