i bought a turbo twist uv sterilizer that was 18 watts and the bulb on it broke. now i was going to replace it but i started thinking as i am doing alot of upgrading i was debating whether to use a uv or switch to ozone which i heard cleans and makes the tank look clearer. since the controller has an orp probe i would just use that to control the dosage. thoughts and experience please and its a 180 gal

personally i use UV, i have never used ozone, and personally i dont quite trust it.
many people use it with no problems, but there are so many unknowns,
and over dosage can be dangerous.

there is podcast on ozone if you are interested
http://www.talkingreef.com/forums/podcast-episodes/653-ozone-podcast-episode-43-a.html

yea i listened to the episode and it seemed very complicated to implement safely and correctly

A couple of thoughts dadonoflaw.

First an 18 watt UV on a 180 is totally inadequate, can't possibly do any good. It would be like peeing in the ocean expecting to lower the salinity. A UV unit MUST be adequately sized for the application taking into account the size of the aquarium and then MUST have the proper sized pump for adequate flow. Size it wrong or put too little or too much flow through the UV and you are wasting your money. Sadly, most UV manufacturers overrate their UV units. Like any other decision in this hobby you have to do your research. Asking a question on TR and expecting all the correct answers, while a good place to start is only just that, a start, you have to research most things further.

Secondly, the two elements, UV and ozone do different things. I think you have some conception of what UV does since you bought one. Ozone does something entirely different and while ozone does kill pathogens that come in contact with it, that's not it's primary function in aquarium usage. Ozone is used to boost the effectiveness of your skimmer and raise ORP. However, indiscriminate use of ozone without a controller can be very bad in your home especially in closed or small rooms. Ozone is highly oxidative and will degrade plastics and rubber over time. In high concentrations ozone can be hazardous to your health although, that is unlikely using the small units meant for aquarium use. But you should know about the dangers before you apply ozone to a system.

We've had this conversation before, it seems. Here's a link to an article about UV and Ozone use in aquariums. MarPhysFilt (http://wetwebmedia.com/marphysf.htm) Please read it and search for other information on the two subjects. I simply typed "ozone for aquariums" in Google and came up with a treasure of links.

WOW! good post Amp

great info Amph, thanks for stepping in.. :)
i feel stupid for not catching the fact that the UV was too small for the tank.. thanks.. ;)

yes i realize that the uv i have was too small. that is why i was either going to get a larger one or employ ozone as i know before you guys said that i shouldnt run both so that is what sparked this question. i must obviously be mistaken as to what the purpose of the ozone is. from what it sounds it would be easier and better to get a bigger uv as i want to kill free floating problems before they happen.

who said you cant run both?

thats what i heard somewhere. i think it was on here but i dont remember who said it. but i prolly wouldnt run both anway because of the costs

apples & pears my friend, to different pieces of fruit.
Ozone is cheap as anything if you keep your ORP levels respectable & are able to keep the unit away from humid weather. Thats prob your biggest killer~ drying the air.
Where as try seeing a UV unit as a long term investment for water quality & broad specrum desease bat to slug most everyday unwanted introductions. You can indeed run both. One oxidises & allows max potential of your water, the other radiates & disrupts cells of free swimming radicles as they pass by at the correct flow rates & distance.

i was looking at a 25 watt unit for uv and i was wondering if this will be sufficient? it says for tanks between 500 and 1200 gal. can a uv unit be too big? should i consider the 40watt?