Any problems running a UV sterilizer on a timer?

I've added a UV sterilizer to my 100 gallon tank, but I've had a
fairly substantial increase in temperature as a result. The heater
simply isn't needing to work any more, and the tank temperature has
slowly riser to 79 degrees!

Are there any problems with running the UV on a timer for say, 3 hours
on, 3 hours off or some such similar pattern (perhaps 2 on / 2 off)??

potential problems I've considered :

1. extra strain on the ballast with on/off operations
2. algae or other build up inside the sterilizer during it's "off"
period
3. yo-yo effect on water temperature

The other solution I thought about was using UV either in opposite 12
hour stints to my lighting, or ONLY when the lighting is ON.... any
insights will be gratefully received...

I just don't need to spend any more on a chiller at the moment...!!

tia

Greg H-L

Why do you use UV in your reef tank at the first place???

"Pszemol" wrote in message ...
Why do you use UV in your reef tank at the first place???

It's a FOWLR - I may convert at a later date, but at the moment, I am
not reefing it. The plan is to run a "reef safe" FOWLR tank until it
is reasonably mature - 6-9 months at least - then convert if I have
still got the bug. I am just learning - we are planning on a couple
of other smaller tanks in the near future - an acrylic cube with sea
horses and a similar clam tank with the possibility of some coral
elements.

For now, I'm just looking to get the FOWLR tank matured, and I don't
want to keep spend thousands more until I have learnt a lot more.

regards

Greg

But with UV you are killing spores and cysts which come
with live rock, inhibiting grow and population multiply...
I have read in many sources UV sterilizers are not recomended
for reef tanks for that reason. I would not use it if you want your
live rock to thrive in live forms.
There are many succesful tanks run without UV which proves
UV is not really needed in such setups. Why do you think you need it?

You may wish to consider leaving it disconnected (from water supply also)
until needed?




"Greg Hewitt-Long" wrote in message
om...
I've added a UV sterilizer to my 100 gallon tank, but I've had a
fairly substantial increase in temperature as a result. The heater
simply isn't needing to work any more, and the tank temperature has
slowly riser to 79 degrees!

Are there any problems with running the UV on a timer for say, 3 hours
on, 3 hours off or some such similar pattern (perhaps 2 on / 2 off)??

potential problems I've considered :

1. extra strain on the ballast with on/off operations
2. algae or other build up inside the sterilizer during it's "off"
period
3. yo-yo effect on water temperature

The other solution I thought about was using UV either in opposite 12
hour stints to my lighting, or ONLY when the lighting is ON.... any
insights will be gratefully received...

I just don't need to spend any more on a chiller at the moment...!!

tia

Greg H-L