fishnerd
Member
I finally decided to start a thread on this topic, rather than responding to a post about it. It is past time for aquarists to know that Ultraviolet Irradiation is not effective against parasites.
UV systems are great for algae, bacteria, and some fungi. The contact time to kill parasites is reeeaaaalllly long.
Lets use UV Brand X, at ____ watts....
Kill Algae- 400gph
Kill Bacteria- 380gph
Kill Fungus- 275gph
Kill Ich- 80gph
That was not an exact figure, with a specific UV, but I hope you get the picture.
Example:
Most manufacturers post a max flow rate based on a "zap" of 15,000 OR 30,000 microwatt seconds, per square centimeter This is based on a new bulb, with crystal clear water.
Saltwater Ich requires a "zap" of app. 128,000 microwatt seconds, per square centimeter.
This means that your UV, rated for a max flow of 400gph, (based on the info above) will need to be dropped to app. 45gph OR 95gph, depending on dwell time ratings. Most do not understand HOW much their flow needs to be dropped. At a flow that slow, the ich will probably be multiplying faster than the UV is killing it.
No MANUFACTURER (dealers tell you what you want to hear) will contradict what I have posted.
I don't have some "miracle cure", I just want everyone to know the truth about UVs and parasites.
PS-Before posting "Yes it does kill ich!" please have CREDIBLE documentation to back up your statement.
UV systems are great for algae, bacteria, and some fungi. The contact time to kill parasites is reeeaaaalllly long.
Lets use UV Brand X, at ____ watts....
Kill Algae- 400gph
Kill Bacteria- 380gph
Kill Fungus- 275gph
Kill Ich- 80gph
That was not an exact figure, with a specific UV, but I hope you get the picture.
Example:
Most manufacturers post a max flow rate based on a "zap" of 15,000 OR 30,000 microwatt seconds, per square centimeter This is based on a new bulb, with crystal clear water.
Saltwater Ich requires a "zap" of app. 128,000 microwatt seconds, per square centimeter.
This means that your UV, rated for a max flow of 400gph, (based on the info above) will need to be dropped to app. 45gph OR 95gph, depending on dwell time ratings. Most do not understand HOW much their flow needs to be dropped. At a flow that slow, the ich will probably be multiplying faster than the UV is killing it.
No MANUFACTURER (dealers tell you what you want to hear) will contradict what I have posted.
I don't have some "miracle cure", I just want everyone to know the truth about UVs and parasites.
PS-Before posting "Yes it does kill ich!" please have CREDIBLE documentation to back up your statement.
