UV sterilizer or not?
- Thread starter duanen
- Start date
mr. limpid
Active Member
No and No
To control algae: change old bulbs, rinse frozen foods, feed less more often, add macro algae; add skimmer, use RO/DI water.
To control algae: change old bulbs, rinse frozen foods, feed less more often, add macro algae; add skimmer, use RO/DI water.
duanen
Member
So would you say there are any benefits to a sterilizer? I have minimal algae now (just in corners) and my snails seem to be working on it but I think my water could be a little clearer. I put new carbon in 4 days ago but water has a slight tint to it, just enough for me to notice and somehow it's bugging me!
mr. limpid
Active Member
I say they are not worth the money. I siphon a little sand off the top during water changes (just to get any algae out), Pout it into a separate bucket pour off the top water and add more water from my water change to it (2 gal. at a time). Then add sand back to the tank. Sand stays clean looking and you didn't disturb the sand to much.
duanen
Member
Ok, that answers my question on the sterilizer. Can you tell me what is the best way to get super clear water other than having 25 different filters on the tank? I currently have a 36 gallon bowfront running a Fluval 206 with 2 small Percula clowns, 3 emerald crabs, 2 hermit crabs and 5 snails.
mr. limpid
Active Member
Other than adding a sump and macro algae. Just make sure to keep the prefilter clean in your canister. What are you running in your canister as filter media? Do 10% water changes every 2 weeks. Do you have a skimmer?
duanen
Member
I currently have some Caulerpa Prolifera in my tank, got it from LFS for nothing so I figured I'd give it a try. As for the filter, I am running the foam media and BioMax that came with it as well as carbon. No skimmer as of yet, what are the benefits? Tank has only been set up for about 3 months (had some cycling issues) but all looks well now. I tested the water yesterday and my reading were PH-8.2, AMM-0, NITRITE-0, NITRATE-20, SG-1.022 and water temp is 78. Would you recommend making a spray wand or just stick with the discharge that's on there now? One last thing, when siphoning out during water changes, should I move my rock to get at hard to reach spots or just let it go?
mr. limpid
Active Member
skimmer will lower the nitrates make sure to change the carbon once a month.