Coralife UV Sterilizer

[Huskymaniac]

So I have a 9 watt turbo twist that I used back in 2007 for a few months. Cleaning out my basement low and behold I found it. Just started up a reefer 170 and figured I would use the unit in the system. Did some reviews and I guess these things rust from the aluminum reflector? Trying to figure out what I am missing with this thing as I don't see any aluminum in it at all. Just looks like a cheap plastic unit.

 

[RobZilla04]

That unit is going to do anything in a tank the size of a RS 170. It "may" clarify the water slightly but doubt it will be noticeable. Remove it, not worth the risk IMO.

 

[Jason mack]

So I have a 9 watt turbo twist that I used back in 2007 for a few months. Cleaning out my basement low and behold I found it. Just started up a reefer 170 and figured I would use the unit in the system. Did some reviews and I guess these things rust from the aluminum reflector? Trying to figure out what I am missing with this thing as I don't see any aluminum in it at all. Just looks like a cheap plastic unit.

I just bought a second hand one ...when I opened it up I could see the rust on the aluminum reflector.....I'm not gonna use mine ...I really dont trust it ....

 

[RobZilla04]

I just bought a second hand one ...when I opened it up I could see the rust on the aluminum reflector.....I'm not gonna use mine ...I really dont trust it ....

The problem I found with my Aqua UV w/ wiper Sterilizer is that when O2 remains in the unit, any metal can rust/corrode. The wiper seal nuts, arm, and another component were all rusted on mine. Needless to say it's been a painful process to remove the excess Tin & Aluminum as found by ATI Lab tests. So if yours rusted, expect the next one to rust as well.

I removed mine a couple of months ago and noticed no difference in water quality. It's a debatable topic whether they can sterilize effectively enough to prevent disease.

 

[Huskymaniac]

I just bought a second hand one ...when I opened it up I could see the rust on the aluminum reflector.....I'm not gonna use mine ...I really dont trust it ....

So I have a dumb question. Where is the aluminum reflector? My until.doesnt have any aluminum in it all. Wasn't sure what I was missing.

 

[Jason mack]

So I have a dumb question. Where is the aluminum reflector? My until.doesnt have any aluminum in it all. Wasn't sure what I was missing.

Wait I make s photo for you ..!!

 

[Jason mack]

Split it in half like this ...

Then look on the inside behind the plastic spacer

You see the reflector rusting ..its worse inside..
This is where the water travels past the light ...I believe coralife said the corrosion was the same as what you will find in gfo and that ...for me rust of any kind is a no no .. so I won't be using this unless I can remove the reflector..not sure how difficult that will be , and then the light won't work as effectively...

 

[Jason mack]

So I have a dumb question. Where is the aluminum reflector? My until.doesnt have any aluminum in it all. Wasn't sure what I was missing.

Yours could be one of the early models that never had them maybe...

 

[Huskymaniac]

Take. Look at this photo. It looks different.

 

[Jason mack]

Take. Look at this photo. It looks different.

I think you said this was from 2007 if I remember ...it certainly looks like one of the earlier models ...I think you should be ok .....if that's the case

 

[Jason mack]

Wanna swap

 

[justmee]

IMO, I think UV Sterilizers are just a gimmick...

 

[Chris Villalobos]

My Coralife UV (with reflector) gave me high Tin contamination. After many ICP tests I removed the unit and the next test came up clean.

 

[Huskymaniac]

IMO, I think UV Sterilizers are just a gimmick...

They certainly have their place and if used and sized properly can be very effective. Problem is most people don't size them or use them appropriately.

 

[Flippers4pups]

IMO, I think UV Sterilizers are just a gimmick...

In my experience with them, they definitely work for water clarification. They are effective against bacterial and algae blooms. Against pathogens, most hobby grade units are undersized and under powered.

 

[justmee]

In my experience with them, they definitely work for water clarification. They are effective against bacterial and algae blooms. Against pathogens, most hobby grade units are undersized and under powered.

Right... that's why IMO I think it's a gimmick. Coralife sells these small 9 watt units which I think are just sales gimmicks which really are not beneficial...

 

[Hemmdog]

After college I worked at a pretty reputable public aquarium and on all the sw systems we used aqua UV’s. They are really good at what they do, it’s just more difficult with reefs because you don’t want to over do it.

 

[Flippers4pups]

Right... that's why IMO I think it's a gimmick. Coralife sells these small 9 watt units which I think are just sales gimmicks which really are not beneficial...

I personally use a 10watt pond UV on my 180 total volume system and it works very well at water clarity. I only use it when my water starts to become a little cloudy.

 

[Huskymaniac]

Right... that's why IMO I think it's a gimmick. Coralife sells these small 9 watt units which I think are just sales gimmicks which really are not beneficial...

9 watts on a 30 gallon tank could be pretty big unit. You should never look at overall watts. It's more of contact time to the unit and flow rate. I would think running 60 gph through the unit would be enough to kill anything that goes through it.

 

[justmee]

I personally use a 10watt pond UV on my 180 total volume system and it works very well at water clarity. I only use it when my water starts to become a little cloudy.

That's great it works for you... I guess I could never tell the difference when I used it.