UV Sterilizer yes/no
- Thread starter bigred
- Start date
ky
Member
Again, opinions are like a--holes, everyone has one. In my opinion, they should be used in any tank. I have one on each of my tanks, all reef tanks. I have never had a fish or invert die of malnutrition (or die at all for that matter) since I installed them. All of my inverts are huge, healthy, and thriving. Most importantly, I have never had a case of ick or any other bacterial, viral, or fungal infection. They also kill the algae spores that travel through the water, eliminating those algae outbreaks that people always post about. I feed each of my tanks DT's phytoplankton 2 times a week, turning of the UV steralizers for about 12 hours after each feeding. I would much rather spend a little extra on phytoplankton then lose my fish to some sort of opportunistic infection. So to say that they shouldn't be used on a reef tank simply isn't fact, just an opinion. My opinion is that I have had three reef tanks for almost 10 years and they are thriving without a single case of any sickness in that entire time. Oh yeah, another argument against them is that they kill the 'good bacteria' in the water. Living systems (ie. the fish) have their own 'good bacteria', just as we do (in our GI tract, resp tract, etc). These bacteria don't come to us from the air or water that we drink. It is only 'bad bacteria' that we receive from our surroundings. The fish also have their own bacteria that fight off certain diseases, these bacteria don't float around in the water waiting for the fish to get sick. It is when the the fish are in a compromised state of health, when their own immune system is decreased due to stress or illness, that they are attacked by an opportunistic infection. If these infections are eliminated from the environment, then too is the possibility that they will get sick. That isn't opinion, that is fact.
diceman
Member
IMO I agree with Ky in having a UV on your tank. What happened to me was I had a bacterial bloom once that my LFS owner (who by the way is very good and honest) diagnosed it as such and suggested a UV. Needless to say after seeing my water for 2 weeks be cloudy and trying different chemicals which was to clear the cluodyness, I bought the UV and the water was crystal clear the next morning. Also my fish are healthy and have never been sick. So IMO again I would get one.
fshhub
Active Member
well ky, you said it, we all have them, couldn't be more blunt about it could we??
fyi, i have never in over 25 years(of haveing fish), never SEEN ICK IN any tank(FACT, NOT EXAGGERATION), and have not had any problems keeping fish for years, salt or fw, until recently i couldn't even have spotted ick,and that was in my lfs's tank, so to say haveing one is the only way to prevent this and other things, only says that someone is not taking care of things properly, and they need a crutch, if you have not had any since then, well maybeit helped you(could be coincidence too, i haven't seen it in over 25 yrs), but they are not guarenteed, and may help, but like i said, i have NEVER had these problems without them, so my opinion is they are NOT neccessary if you take proper care of things to start with
my wife was treating for ick when we first met, about 10 years ago, and the fish were still alive years later(4 or 5), all this is so much fact that if i got ick or any parasite or whatever, 3 times this year alone, i would still consider them not needed and myself successful
and about the aquarium thing, you keep bringing up this good bacteria in the fish thing everytime, YOU KNOW WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE DENITRIFYING BACTERIA in the system, to name a few, these are not IN the fish, not to mention the other things like plankton and plankton like larvae or fry(many fish and inverts fit here)
IMO, they are not needed for those who take the time to care for things properly, i know others who have had tanks without disease or parasites or whatever, and never ever had them,but if the only way someone can keep a tank alive is with one, then spend the extra money and get one, if you can't manage without, but this still does NOT make them necessary for everybody
<img src="graemlins//angel.gif" border="0" alt="[angel]" />
but the are not completely bad, either but a much more important tool for disease and pararsite control, is a quarentine tank
fyi, i have never in over 25 years(of haveing fish), never SEEN ICK IN any tank(FACT, NOT EXAGGERATION), and have not had any problems keeping fish for years, salt or fw, until recently i couldn't even have spotted ick,and that was in my lfs's tank, so to say haveing one is the only way to prevent this and other things, only says that someone is not taking care of things properly, and they need a crutch, if you have not had any since then, well maybeit helped you(could be coincidence too, i haven't seen it in over 25 yrs), but they are not guarenteed, and may help, but like i said, i have NEVER had these problems without them, so my opinion is they are NOT neccessary if you take proper care of things to start with
my wife was treating for ick when we first met, about 10 years ago, and the fish were still alive years later(4 or 5), all this is so much fact that if i got ick or any parasite or whatever, 3 times this year alone, i would still consider them not needed and myself successful
and about the aquarium thing, you keep bringing up this good bacteria in the fish thing everytime, YOU KNOW WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE DENITRIFYING BACTERIA in the system, to name a few, these are not IN the fish, not to mention the other things like plankton and plankton like larvae or fry(many fish and inverts fit here)
IMO, they are not needed for those who take the time to care for things properly, i know others who have had tanks without disease or parasites or whatever, and never ever had them,but if the only way someone can keep a tank alive is with one, then spend the extra money and get one, if you can't manage without, but this still does NOT make them necessary for everybody
<img src="graemlins//angel.gif" border="0" alt="[angel]" /> but the are not completely bad, either
but a much more important tool for disease and pararsite control, is a quarentine tank
reeferx
Member
Interesting stuff here.
I have always thought of them as an extra that is not required. Money could be better spent on a good skimmer or something if the budget is tight.
Another way I have rationalized this is by thinking that making a real sterile environment would weaken ammune systems making an occasional outbreak more severe? I don't know really, just a theory. But then again, all public aquariums seem to have them. <img src="graemlins//confused.gif" border="0" alt="[confused]" />
I have always thought of them as an extra that is not required. Money could be better spent on a good skimmer or something if the budget is tight.
Another way I have rationalized this is by thinking that making a real sterile environment would weaken ammune systems making an occasional outbreak more severe? I don't know really, just a theory. But then again, all public aquariums seem to have them. <img src="graemlins//confused.gif" border="0" alt="[confused]" />
fshhub
Active Member
Originally posted by anthem:
<strong>Let's just say most stores have them. They have big units that are meant to keep parasites/organisms in check. Not necessarily at bay, but in check. For home use, they can be a good thing, but definitely aren't necessary. It is entirely possible to have a healthy running system sans UV.
Ed</strong><hr></blockquote>
EXACTLY, I AGREE, with you and matt
<strong>Let's just say most stores have them. They have big units that are meant to keep parasites/organisms in check. Not necessarily at bay, but in check. For home use, they can be a good thing, but definitely aren't necessary. It is entirely possible to have a healthy running system sans UV.
Ed</strong><hr></blockquote>
EXACTLY, I AGREE, with you and matt
F
fossilcrab
Guest
I would get one with lower wattage. I have an 8 watt UV for my 55 gal. Just enough to kill all deadly protozoans (which always float on the water) and water borne bacteria and also, just enough to let the good stuff pass by. IMO, UV is a necessity especially for mixed reef and fish marine aquaria.
Ray.
Ray.
k.lee
Member
Originally posted by Bigred:
<strong>I don't have one of these on my tanks are they needed? What do they do?</strong><hr></blockquote>
tanks? well hmm?
I'd say no, unless you hace a school of moorish idols, or other "ich magnets".
I'm going to get rid of my protein skimmer on my reef, if I can. mmm plankton is good.
<strong>I don't have one of these on my tanks are they needed? What do they do?</strong><hr></blockquote>
tanks? well hmm?
I'd say no, unless you hace a school of moorish idols, or other "ich magnets".
I'm going to get rid of my protein skimmer on my reef, if I can. mmm plankton is good.
predator
Active Member
Fshhub and Sammy's opions are facts in my book. I know both of them know what there talking about. Seriously, I would take there opionons over many other peoples facts any day of the week.
Why would you not go with Mother Nature????? The ocean has no UV sterilizer...
<a href="http://hometown.aol.com/flmeangl44/index.html" target="_blank">
CLICK HERE TO SEE MY REEF </a>
Why would you not go with Mother Nature????? The ocean has no UV sterilizer...
<a href="http://hometown.aol.com/flmeangl44/index.html" target="_blank">
CLICK HERE TO SEE MY REEF </a>
reeferkeeper
Member
I agree with fshhub. I have never had a uv and have never had ANY problems with my reef systems. So apparently a UV is NOT needed to keep a healthy, happy, flourishing reef tank. In fact, I have to upgrade my tank size because my corals are growing out of them(not literally). I think your money can be better spent on a good skimmer, dosing system,wave maker,lighting, ect. As stated this is just my opinion.
F
fossilcrab
Guest
Originally posted by Predator:
<strong>Fshhub and Sammy's opions are facts in my book. I know both of them know what there talking about. Seriously, I would take there opionons over many other peoples facts any day of the week.
Why would you not go with Mother Nature????? The ocean has no UV sterilizer...
<a href="http://hometown.aol.com/flmeangl44/index.html" target="_blank">
CLICK HERE TO SEE MY REEF </a></strong><hr></blockquote>
For your information. The ocean has a UV sterilizer and it all came from the sun. Ever wonder why State Public aquariums have huge UV sterilizers ? Or how about those sun block lotion we're using or those sunglasses maybe or how about those greenhouses for the plants to keep it from harmful UV rays ? there you go.
Ray.
<strong>Fshhub and Sammy's opions are facts in my book. I know both of them know what there talking about. Seriously, I would take there opionons over many other peoples facts any day of the week.
Why would you not go with Mother Nature????? The ocean has no UV sterilizer...
<a href="http://hometown.aol.com/flmeangl44/index.html" target="_blank">
CLICK HERE TO SEE MY REEF </a></strong><hr></blockquote>For your information. The ocean has a UV sterilizer and it all came from the sun. Ever wonder why State Public aquariums have huge UV sterilizers ? Or how about those sun block lotion we're using or those sunglasses maybe or how about those greenhouses for the plants to keep it from harmful UV rays ? there you go.
Ray.
fshhub
Active Member
mother natures uv aparently does not work so good hten, b/c these parasites ahve existed since before us, lol
plankton has been around longer and single celled organisms much much longer than anythign on the face of this planet, all of which uv would have killed by now, there is a big difference between light and sterilizer
the sun is not a uv STERILIZER
there you go
plankton has been around longer and single celled organisms much much longer than anythign on the face of this planet, all of which uv would have killed by now, there is a big difference between light and sterilizer
the sun is not a uv STERILIZER
there you go
F
fossilcrab
Guest
Originally posted by fshhub:
<strong>mother natures uv aparently does not work so good hten, b/c these parasites ahve existed since before us, lol
plankton has been around longer and single celled organisms much much longer than anythign on the face of this planet, all of which uv would have killed by now, there is a big difference between light and sterilizer
the sun is not a uv STERILIZER
there you go</strong><hr></blockquote>
Ever heard of evolution ? I'm not a biologist, but living things evolve to survive. The sun is not just light nor UV ... there's more to it.
Ray.
<strong>mother natures uv aparently does not work so good hten, b/c these parasites ahve existed since before us, lol
plankton has been around longer and single celled organisms much much longer than anythign on the face of this planet, all of which uv would have killed by now, there is a big difference between light and sterilizer
the sun is not a uv STERILIZER
there you go</strong><hr></blockquote>
Ever heard of evolution ? I'm not a biologist, but living things evolve to survive. The sun is not just light nor UV ... there's more to it.
Ray.
fshhub
Active Member
yes i have heard of evolution, but you are talking about the same exact parasites and organisms here, not eveolved forms, the same ones the uv sterilizer is killing is the same ones in the ocean today, not evolved mutations, and the same ones that were there 100s years ago, and there is a difference between light and sterilization
uv is an adjective describing a spectrum or band of light, sterilization is not uv, but uv can be used to sterilize with(see the difference, one uses the other, not they are the same thing)
[hr]
COPIED FROM ENCARTA:
ster·il·i·za·tion [stèrrl záysh'n ] (plural ster·il·i·za·tions) noun
1. MEDICINE destruction of microorganisms: the destruction of living microorganisms to prevent infection
ul·tra·vi·o·let [ùltr vlt ] adjective
relating to invisible light: relating to or producing electromagnetic radiation of wavelengths from about 5 to about 400 nanometers, beyond the violet end of the visible light spectrum
[hr]
the sunlight is just light, which creates many more things, such as heat, light, and food(for some organisms)
i am no biologist either, but we did not evolve to combat the sun, we came to be and evolved in it's presence(otherwise we would never gotten a start), so it was a deciding factor in our existence, not it just popped up after we were here and we had to adapt(we being all creatures) like the ice age or smog
not to mention that the uv only would only work up ot depths where the uv rays could penetrate, so jsut a small part of the ocean would be affected, leaving 99.99999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999% of it untouched by uv rays(light filters out in water so fast)
uv is an adjective describing a spectrum or band of light, sterilization is not uv, but uv can be used to sterilize with(see the difference, one uses the other, not they are the same thing)
[hr]
COPIED FROM ENCARTA:
ster·il·i·za·tion [stèrrl záysh'n ] (plural ster·il·i·za·tions) noun
1. MEDICINE destruction of microorganisms: the destruction of living microorganisms to prevent infection
ul·tra·vi·o·let [ùltr vlt ] adjective
relating to invisible light: relating to or producing electromagnetic radiation of wavelengths from about 5 to about 400 nanometers, beyond the violet end of the visible light spectrum
[hr]
the sunlight is just light, which creates many more things, such as heat, light, and food(for some organisms)
i am no biologist either, but we did not evolve to combat the sun, we came to be and evolved in it's presence(otherwise we would never gotten a start), so it was a deciding factor in our existence, not it just popped up after we were here and we had to adapt(we being all creatures) like the ice age or smog
not to mention that the uv only would only work up ot depths where the uv rays could penetrate, so jsut a small part of the ocean would be affected, leaving 99.99999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999% of it untouched by uv rays(light filters out in water so fast)
predator
Active Member
Well Fossilcrab. I gotta be honest. I really do not like confrontation on this board. But being that I'm really frustrated at this whole picture thing to night I just might speak.
See, we like to keep things fairly peaceful on hear. Unlike you. I am by no means a technical guy when it comes to this hobby. I keep it real simple. Not to mention I'v only had a tank going on 6 months in March. So please excuse me if I got you riled up. But you need to take a breather. Because to be blunt. I think your a ____________. I'll let anyone who feels the need fill in the blank.
<img src="graemlins//yell.gif" border="0" alt="[yell]" />
See, we like to keep things fairly peaceful on hear. Unlike you. I am by no means a technical guy when it comes to this hobby. I keep it real simple. Not to mention I'v only had a tank going on 6 months in March. So please excuse me if I got you riled up. But you need to take a breather. Because to be blunt. I think your a ____________. I'll let anyone who feels the need fill in the blank.
<img src="graemlins//yell.gif" border="0" alt="[yell]" />
fshhub
Active Member
now, predator, getting riled will only give you probs with your computer, they need to be handled with kid gloves, lol, and besides, don't ask me to fill in any blanks, i hate to, it is very difficult knowing 3 languages, you woul dbe surprised with the combos you cna come up with, sometimes i can't even understand them, LOL
besides, i like the debate, if he can't give a good answer without shooting himself again, then let him, i got allnight to think of a reply to help with the confusion the lfs may have given him in thier pitches, besides, it is not like he is name calling or actually flaming, just trying to make a point that can't be made without a sales sticker on it(i heard those pitches too)
besides, i like the debate, if he can't give a good answer without shooting himself again, then let him, i got allnight to think of a reply to help with the confusion the lfs may have given him in thier pitches, besides, it is not like he is name calling or actually flaming, just trying to make a point that can't be made without a sales sticker on it(i heard those pitches too)