UV Sterilizer on a Planted Tank?

[PlanB]

Does anybody do this and have there been any adverse effects? I have a 75 gallon moderately planted tank with discus and wanted to use this more as a roach motel for parasites since green water has never been an issue for me. As my live stock gets more expensive, I wanted an extra cushion of protection.

But will the UV also break down ferts? Will it affect Flourish Excel in any way? Will snails that get sucked in mutate into radiated Hulk Snails?

Petsmart is having a big sale on pond supplies and I already picked up a Laguna 8 watt sterilizer for my pond for $50 (orig. $200!) and was thinking of getting another one for my aquarium since the price was right.

Any other benefits or concerns?

[PhishPhreek]

The bigest problem with using a UV steralizer is that all the fish get used to the super clean water and their immune system gets weaker. So when they are moved to a tank without UV they are more likely to pick up any bugs in the water.

Hopefully you have a prefilter to keep snails and small fish fry from blocking the UV or getting fried.

[cichlid1409]

i ran a UV sterilizer on my 75g planted discus tank with no problems had healthy growth.

[PlanB]

Ah... good input. Thanks guys!

[manifresh006]

i ran a UV sterilizer on my 75g planted discus tank with no problems had healthy growth.

+1 mine was just a 55g

[PlanB]

I was mostly worried about it doing weird things to ferts and Flourish Excel. Here's another question: what's better? In-line to a canister or in-tank power type?

[manifresh006]

Well
In-tank takes up space but cheaper
In-Line more expensive i belief work good

[PhishPhreek]

I installed mine on the return line from my wet/dry sump.
all new water went into the sump first and got zaped before it reached the tank.