UV Light

hnf2k

hnf2k

Active Member
i tested my water today and my tank is in the middle of a cycle(everything is sky high, except ph which was too low, but i added some buffer). javatech(i believe his name was) said my uv shouldnt be on during my first cycle...is this true? and if so when should i turn it off? and when should i turn my skimmer on?
(my skimmer is off also btw).
 
almarktool

almarktool

Member
well u will get lots of opions prob on this one but here is my .02
leave skimmer off untill end of cycle unless u have uncured rock in which case i would turn it on after 2 weeks as far as the u/v goes well i would wait untill u started putting in some fish after the cycle or better yet don't turn it on at all
 
ntvflgirl

ntvflgirl

Member
does this mean that if you are in the process of cycling your tank, you should leave the lights off?! I only have 2 15 watt 50/50 bulbs in a 55 gal. Only 10lbs lr., and aragonite substrate. Btw, how much light, and what kind should I have?
 
bigbonedee

bigbonedee

Member
By the way NTVFLgirl fish are commonly lost during cycling but dont sweat that. I myself have used fresh water mollies to cycle and most lived.
As for UV light , well it is a luxury. First yes if you are cycling a tank you dony need it because you dont have anything in there to tax the aquarium where you would need one. Also it is UV so it might affect good bacteria you are trying to get at this point.
I wanted to bring up something of great importance. The Uv is rated for a certain flow rate and you have to try and match a pump to it that does not exceed that recommended flow rate otherwise the water will be passing by too quickly to be affected by the UV.
 
aileena

aileena

Member
if you only have a 10watt UV light on a 180 gallon tank either get rid of it or purchase a larger watt light. I have a 9 watt on a 30 gallon and wouldn't even consider using my 9watt UV on anything larger than a 75 gallon. For a 180 I would at least get a 18 watt light or larger or like suggested dont use it at all. GOOD LUCK
 
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