Sterilizer and a Manderin goby

[stokesrl]

I have a bad red algae problem and am thinking about getting a UV sterilizer. I have a manderine goby for several years in my reef tank. Will the UV sterilize kill the copepods that the manderine chows on? Is there other adverse effects?

I have new bulbs, good waterflow and keep the tank clean. Phosphate is .75mg
THanks

 

[yote]

First off,welcome to the site.
A UV will kill any pods that happen to get sucked through it,as well as the good bacteria.But it'll also kill any algae spores that go through it.Its kind of a toss up.Tie between the pros and cons I guess.
But really,most of the pods are gonna stay in and around the rock work though.
By red algae,I'm assuming its cyano bacteria.Did it start after you bought new bulbs?

 

[stokesrl]

It started and I changed bulbs to combat it. it seems to be getting worse.

 

[dcantucson]

I've run a 57 watt UV on my 150 gallon for over a year now. It hasn't effected my copepods one bit. (though I had a heater problem that did) Often I thought I had too many of those little suckers. At night the rocks looked like a stirred up ant bed. They were everywhere.

 

[Ithaca9]

Do you have a refugium? Someone should be able to say if this is correct or not... but if you have a fuge, and most of your pods are coming from there, an in-line UV sterilizer should be placed somewhere before it. That way it won't kill the pod growth from the fuge when the water is returned to the tank.

 

[dcantucson]

I do not have a refugium, but I agree the UV should be placed before the refugium if you have one.