U/V sterilizer's
- Thread starter dadszx7
- Start date
f14peter
Member
I don't know much about them, but they appear to be available at most well-stocked aquarium supply stores/sites.
I understand they work on the principle of the UV light killing things (such as the ick bug) in the water, which must be routed through the sterilizer and run slowly enough for it to be exposed to the UV long enough to work.
One potential downside I've heard is that it kills things indiscriminately, and some good things may be eliminated along with the bad. That all said, I've have heard some positive things about them.
However, I repeat: I don't know all that much about them and I would be happy to be corrected by somebody more in-the-know than I.
I understand they work on the principle of the UV light killing things (such as the ick bug) in the water, which must be routed through the sterilizer and run slowly enough for it to be exposed to the UV long enough to work.
One potential downside I've heard is that it kills things indiscriminately, and some good things may be eliminated along with the bad. That all said, I've have heard some positive things about them.
However, I repeat: I don't know all that much about them and I would be happy to be corrected by somebody more in-the-know than I.
waterworld
Member
I am a fan of UV units ( I have a Turbo Twist) and have been using them for a number of years in both my 125 salt as well as my 1,200 Gal outdoor pond. Flow rate of water through the unit determines what it will kill. Slower rates kill algae as well as parasites. Faster rates kill algae only. The directions will detail this. Size your pump for the flow you desire.
And Yes the UV will kill bacteria going through it. But do consider that your beneficial bacteria is on your rocks, bio-balls, filter media as well as substrate. What little, if any, that may be killed by a UV is negligable.
1) Control the flow,
2) Change the bulb as directed (6-9 months life span)
3) Buy your replacment bulbs from an on-line bulb supplier not a fish source. Saves $$$
Good Luck
WW
And Yes the UV will kill bacteria going through it. But do consider that your beneficial bacteria is on your rocks, bio-balls, filter media as well as substrate. What little, if any, that may be killed by a UV is negligable.
1) Control the flow,
2) Change the bulb as directed (6-9 months life span)
3) Buy your replacment bulbs from an on-line bulb supplier not a fish source. Saves $$$
Good Luck
WW
jj_harrison
Member
I bought a 32w UV and the plug that runs the bulb went out can i use something else to run the bulb or do i have to get a new one. The plug is where the balest or the starter that runs the bulb is.
lazypinoy
Member
Originally Posted by dadszx7
How do work? What are the advantages to having one. I've heard that help control parasites? Like ick? Where can I get one, maybe the giant
[hr]
site? Any thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated.
well uv's use the ultra violet radiation to kill anything that passes through it. it nothing but a a cylinder chaped object with a uv bulb inside to which water flows around it. uv kills ur commom ich, algae, surely any bacteria that goes in it, as well as valuble pods and such. it has some positives such as controlling ich populations (not destroying it completely in the system), and a great water clarifiyer. cons maybe such as destrying pods and vital bacteria essential for reef systems but the bacteria should already be established on rocks and such as explained b4 me.
im also a big fan of uv's since it saved my fish from ich and now i use a 25 watt gamma uv connected to another 9 watt uv then to my return pump section. the 2 uvs run together using the same pump (a rio1700 (640 gph). imthinking about uv # 3 but thats just overkill
. oh my tank is a 125 w/20gallon sump.
there available at almost all fish stores except places like ***** or petsmart. also online. ive noticed that its much cheaper when purchased through the internet from the prices ive seen here.
How do work? What are the advantages to having one. I've heard that help control parasites? Like ick? Where can I get one, maybe the giant
[hr]
site? Any thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated.
well uv's use the ultra violet radiation to kill anything that passes through it. it nothing but a a cylinder chaped object with a uv bulb inside to which water flows around it. uv kills ur commom ich, algae, surely any bacteria that goes in it, as well as valuble pods and such. it has some positives such as controlling ich populations (not destroying it completely in the system), and a great water clarifiyer. cons maybe such as destrying pods and vital bacteria essential for reef systems but the bacteria should already be established on rocks and such as explained b4 me.
im also a big fan of uv's since it saved my fish from ich and now i use a 25 watt gamma uv connected to another 9 watt uv then to my return pump section. the 2 uvs run together using the same pump (a rio1700 (640 gph). imthinking about uv # 3 but thats just overkill
there available at almost all fish stores except places like ***** or petsmart. also online. ive noticed that its much cheaper when purchased through the internet from the prices ive seen here.
scsinet
Active Member
Originally Posted by jj_harrison
I bought a 32w UV and the plug that runs the bulb went out can i use something else to run the bulb or do i have to get a new one. The plug is where the balest or the starter that runs the bulb is.
The easiest solution is to order a new power cable assembly from the manufacturer. If it's 32w, I'm thinking you have a Coralife. Coralife is owned by Energy Savers Unlimited, by googling that you'll find them.
If it's someone else, get with the manufacturer first. If not, the best thing to do is go to one of the big online lighting houses, such as 1000bulbs, elights, hellolights, etc, and find a ballast that will match them. I know that 1000bulbs sells germicidal UV lamps, so I bet if you call them they can pair you up with a ballast, but it'll be a component ballast, not a completley build power adapter like you had, so you'll need to build or buy an enclosure and wire it up, etc.
I bought a 32w UV and the plug that runs the bulb went out can i use something else to run the bulb or do i have to get a new one. The plug is where the balest or the starter that runs the bulb is.
The easiest solution is to order a new power cable assembly from the manufacturer. If it's 32w, I'm thinking you have a Coralife. Coralife is owned by Energy Savers Unlimited, by googling that you'll find them.
If it's someone else, get with the manufacturer first. If not, the best thing to do is go to one of the big online lighting houses, such as 1000bulbs, elights, hellolights, etc, and find a ballast that will match them. I know that 1000bulbs sells germicidal UV lamps, so I bet if you call them they can pair you up with a ballast, but it'll be a component ballast, not a completley build power adapter like you had, so you'll need to build or buy an enclosure and wire it up, etc.
watertite
Member
I recently go one from petsmart.com and it saved my purple tang. He had ich very badly and the algae was awful. I know that is his favorite food but I switched him to veggie rounds for herbivours, I don't remember the manufacturer but it has a picture of a purple tang on it and he eats them without hesitation. Back to the UV The price is very resonable and it has a built in pump so you won't have to worry about that and the main control box sticks to the outside of the tank to a side wall or back if you prefere. Even with shipping the UV is so worth it. My Tang has fully recoverd and has his colors and swims freely around the tank. :cheer: