uv steralizer

kevine6678

Member
I have a uv steralizer that I bought a couple years ago and haven't used in about a year. I've been kicking around the idea of getting a new bulb for it and hooking it back up in my fowlr tank.
My question is that I have almost no algae in my tank, it really is almost spotless and has been for many months now. Is there any benefit to having a uv steralizer other than to control algae? If not than I won't bother hooking it back up. Thanks!!
 

brokendeck

Active Member
Originally Posted by kevine6678
http:///forum/post/3039802
I have a uv steralizer that I bought a couple years ago and haven't used in about a year. I've been kicking around the idea of getting a new bulb for it and hooking it back up in my fowlr tank.
My question is that I have almost no algae in my tank, it really is almost spotless and has been for many months now. Is there any benefit to having a uv steralizer other than to control algae? If not than I won't bother hooking it back up. Thanks!!
Hey! It wont hurt to hook it up just incase you have a algae outbreak.
 
i would hook up your sterilizer for sure, yes the sterilizer does cut back on your algae growth but more importantly it kills all your paricites too. Sterilizers are one of those pieces of equipment you dont see what they do but are needed. If you ever had any ich problems or any disease problem before, the sterilizer would most likley taken care of that problem before it even occured. I run one on my reef tank, I have tang that is notorious for ich. once i added the sterilizer I havnt seen him flutter as much, or if any since. But yes, if you have one, you might as well use it. Make sure to change the bulb though, if its burnt out all your doing is running another light with no result.
 

sk8shorty01

Active Member
It should kill any living organism that is in the water column that goes through the sterilizer. It kills copepods so it will kill any free swimming ich parasites as well.
 

florida joe

Well-Known Member
Key point to remember is that the kill factor is predicated on what water born pathogens are exposed, duration of exposure and strength of the UV light
 

srfisher17

Active Member
Originally Posted by mie
http:///forum/post/3041527
A uv sterilizer does not kill ich.
I agree. I even think that many folks delay proper ich treatment because they get a false sense of security from the UV. IMO, UV is good for algae, especially in ponds, but not worth the cost & considerable maintenance for anything else.
 

sk8shorty01

Active Member
I would never say that purchasing a UV to fight ich is a good idea, it just does not keep up with the rapid reproduction rates of the parasite. But to say that it does not kill ich is not correct. It does not completely get rid of ich, it does however kill the free floating parasites that go through the UV.
 

srfisher17

Active Member
Originally Posted by sk8shorty01
http:///forum/post/3042318
I would never say that purchasing a UV to fight ich is a good idea, it just does not keep up with the rapid reproduction rates of the parasite. But to say that it does not kill ich is not correct. It does not completely get rid of ich, it does however kill the free floating parasites that go through the UV.
True, UV will kill the free swimming phase of the ich parasite, if it happens to find the UV intake before it finds a host fish or a location (substrate, LR, etc) to release new bugs; but it will not cure an ich infestation. I think this is the main point of the discussion. If I have a fire ant infestation, I can stomp on them all day in my driveway, but that won't eliminate them.
 

mie

Active Member
Originally Posted by srfisher17
http:///forum/post/3042439
True, UV will kill the free swimming phase of the ich parasite, if it happens to find the UV intake before it finds a host fish or a location (substrate, LR, etc) to release new bugs; but it will not cure an ich infestation. I think this is the main point of the discussion. If I have a fire ant infestation, I can stomp on them all day in my driveway, but that won't eliminate them.
That made me laugh. Well said.
 

pete159

Member
copied from the web
What exactly is UV sterilization? It's actually a very simple process for removing (referred to as filtering) unwanted free floating microscopic water borne bacteria, parasitic, fungal, viral, algae, and other unfriendly pathogens out of aquarium water by exposing it to high intensity ultra-violet (UV) light. UV light has the ability to effect the function of living cells by altering the structure of the cells nuclear material, or DNA. The end result is the organisms die off, eradicating your aquarium water of these unwanted nuisances.
There are three types of UV sterilizers; tray type, tube type-wet bulb (non-quartz lined), and tube type-dry bulb (quartz lined). Suggested wattages are 4-8 watts for 20-40 gallon aquariums, 20-25 watts for 50-100 gallons, and 40 watts for larger aquariums. Using this method of treating water is quite controversial amongst aquarists. Some consider it to be a waste of money, not all that effective, or suitable for fish-only, but unnatural for reef tanks, while others feel it does have its benefits for either type of system.
The general consensus is that an aquarist that has a well maintained and uncrowded aquarium, as well as follows good quarantine procedures when introducing new specimens to their system, a UV light filter is not necessary. For those that may be deciding on whether a UV light filter should be added or not, here are some other points to consider.
* Most effective when run 24/7.
* Most effective if the water is clear.
* Most effective if bulb is new, or replaced regularly (at least every 6-8 months).
* Most effective if the UV light penetrates less than one inch of water.
* Effectiveness can be hindered if the water passes to fast past the bulb. Most effective if the exposure time of the water to the UV light is longer than one second.
* The effectiveness of UV light can be hindered if there is light blockage, i.e. a salt encrusted bulb.
* It can help to prevent future water borne pathogen reoccurrences, once the initial problem as been completely eradicated from the aquarium.
* UV light not only kills unwanted organisms, but beneficial ones as well.
* Because it can destroy beneficial microscopic organisms that some reef tank inhabitants may depend on as a food source, UV light should not be run during feeding time.
* It only destroys organisms that are free floating IN the water as it passed by the UV light, i.e. it will NOT get rid of an ich infestation that is already ON fish, or cure a bacterial disease a fish may have.
* Should never be run when treating with any drugs or medications.
* UV can also alter the structure of some dissolved chemical compounds.
* UV light can be damaging to the human eye, so DO NOT look into the bulb.
* Always unplug the unit when working on it to prevent possible shock if it breaks or gets wet.
 
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