UV Sterilizer question

alpha

alpha

Member
So i bought a Deep Blue Sea 36 Watt UV Sterilizer ( IN TANK MODEL). and I'm having extreme algea build-up.
is this normal? I thought UV Sterilizer's were suppose to keep Algae from growing in the tank.
also... I have a bit of red slime starting to form on my substrate. What is best way to kill it. I did a 20 gal water change yesterday. and a friend of mine says there is some powder stuff he will bring over , if it does not go away. Just wanted your input.
Thanks
Alpha
 
geoj

geoj

Active Member

So i bought a Deep Blue Sea 36 Watt UV Sterilizer ( IN TANK MODEL). and I'm having extreme algea build-up.

is this normal? I thought UV Sterilizer's were suppose to keep Algae from growing in the tank.

also... I have a bit of red slime starting to form on my substrate. What is best way to kill it. I did a 20 gal water change yesterday. and a friend of mine says there is some powder stuff he will bring over , if it does not go away. Just wanted your input.


Thanks
Alpha
There has been a lot of hype about UV and I have read many posts and it seams to me that the only thing people agree is its a benefit to Redox Potential. It may improving fish chances in fighting bacterial diseases or even parasitic diseases such as Ich. Ok I can suspend my disbelief on that one as anything that goes through and stays long enough in the filter will not be healthy when it exits. It may improve water quality if flow rate and size of filter is right. I doubt that would last long term if you saw any benefit at all as to my knowledge the UV just brakes the waste down it does not remove it from the system. So it will clear Bacterial and Algal blooms but that waste will be available for any bacteria or algae growing in and on the surfaces of the tank.
After reading all that I could on UVs I decide that they just did not have the proven track record like say a skimmer. So I never got one...
 
geoj

geoj

Active Member
Newer tanks will have a bit of red slime it tends to go away on its own if you are not feeding the slime.
 
btldreef

btldreef

Moderator
I'm using the same exact sterilizer in my 180 setup. You should not be getting more algae growth. Is the pump on it kicking up too much detritus in your sump possibly?
 
S

siptang

Guest
Also what are your phos level? Because if it's crazy high, you are bound to have it none the less. It can only do so much. :/
 
alpha

alpha

Member
Im returning that SOB. This thing is crap. doesn't work. Checked the light bulb. blown. straight from factory.
 
S

siptang

Guest
Quote:
Originally Posted by Flower http:///t/390474/uv-sterilizer-question#post_3459214
A burned bulb can happen to anyone, it doesn't mean its a crap gizmo. Since it works for others...ask the factory to send you a bulb.
+1, it happens. Just be glad that there wasn't static electricity running in your tank. (which happened to me)
 
alpha

alpha

Member
I ended up getting another UV Sterilizer, ...... But this time its an Inline one!!!
and they refunded me for the other one, and didn't even charge me for the new one!! yay to go me!
 
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