I must be an old timer because i'm still using devices that years ago was a most to own.UV sterilizers strictly speaking is not a filter it does'nt filter anything out.
An ultra-violet sterilizer is a device designed to destroy free swimming disease organisms in the aquarium.
It works by producing powerful short wave UV radiation capable of killing any organisms but only if the water flow is slow to expose the bacteria and viruses.
It will kill off most infectious organisms,marine dinoflagellate,and Oodinium,and the so famous white spot disease.
Some folks say why using UV sterelizer in a reef tank when they are not suppose to get sick.Well my friends, fish get sick the same when their are in the real reef(natural enviroment)That's the reason why there are so many cleaning stations service provide by many shrimps, small angel fishes,and so on.
Because normally in a fish only aquarium we could treat it with medications is a no!no! in a reef tank unless you have a lot of money to replace all your beautiful corals.
I also know that sterelizer prevents the so called " toxic tank syndrome"and destroying algae spores before they get out of control.Am I happy using this UV device?the answer is yes.Can I convince other reefers to use it?I dont know 'cause there is two schools about it!
Now about ozonizers, yes! I use one too!I'm full of gadgets he,he,he.Hey I have to protect my investments right?An ozonizer contains a transformer capable of producing 12,000 volts,and yes dont put your hands inside this device!.
This high voltage discharge produces ozone inside of a special chamber to where air is supply by an air pump and pushes this ozone gas out and into a ozone reactor or skimmer.
This water should first flow over activated carbon never directly to your tank!!Carbon will convert any ozone back to oxigen.How much ozone I used in my 90 gl. reef tank?Continuous use around 15 mg/hour and after a water change around 20 mg/hour.The redox potencial reading in my tank is now 410.
Ozone in the marine tank it is used to bleach the water,improve oxigen saturation,increase the redox potencial,oxidize organic waste and mildly sterilize.Quite a useful little gadget to have!It also works better when you have a controller so you dont overdose your tank with too much clean water(lol).
Before I forget always read the instructions first!Never assume you know everything OK?Me I'm learning something every day especially here at RS!
Oxigen molecules normally consist of pairs of oxigen atoms(02).Ozone molecules have 3 atoms(o3).Ozone is very unstable and always tries to revert back to oxigen and to do this the extra atom is used to oxidize another compound.
I'm sorry this got to be so long but I just want to help a little bit especially the new reefers.Thank you for reading.
VINA