uv sterilizer???

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

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

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

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

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,
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
news:23%Eb.13662$ 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,
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 $650 in repairs.
I guess I'll be waiting to buy the skimmer also....
Thanks, Jamie
"Mort" <> wrote in message
news:23%Eb.13662$ 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
>
>
>

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
news:6w%Eb.2357$ 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 $650 in repairs.
> I guess I'll be waiting to buy the skimmer also....
> Thanks, Jamie
> "Mort" <> wrote in message
> news:23%Eb.13662$ 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
> >
> >
> >
>
>

Thanks a lot Mort...

"Mort" <> wrote in message
news:5M0Fb.13686$ 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$gN.1982@fed1read05
>
> and I'll have to let Marc answer the other stuff.
>
>
> FWIW, I went through the same thing you are about 8 months ago with the UV
> sterilizer. I would recommend it if you had a FO (Fish Only) tank.
> But if you want a reef, a UV is not a good idea.
>
> HTH
>
> ~Mort
>
> "SteelBlue" <> wrote in message
> news:6w%Eb.2357$ 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 $650 in repairs.
> > I guess I'll be waiting to buy the skimmer also....
> > Thanks, Jamie
> > "Mort" <> wrote in message
> > news:23%Eb.13662$ 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
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>

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 $650 in repairs.
> I guess I'll be waiting to buy the skimmer also....
> Thanks, Jamie
> "Mort" <> wrote in message
> news:23%Eb.13662$ 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