Ultraviolet Sterilisers

[noonoo1]

Hi there. Does anyone have any opinions on using an Ultraviolet Steriliser in a tropical tank? Has anyone got one and found a difference in their fish's health? Over the last month have had 5 fish die with various bacterial problems and i was thinking that an Ultraviolet Steriliser might help. Just a note - i have tropical fish not marine.

 

[noonoo1]

No comments!

would it be better for me to post this in the Hareware forum?

Really would appricate anyones views on sterilisers.

 

[Eve]

Sorry

Iv never used them.

 

[rollntider]

sterilizers are more to keep algae out of the tank than anything else.

 

[Fawke]

hi there

after some problems in our tank, we invested in a u.v. steriliser. we had been having problems with our fish flicking, then fungus, then what we think were parasites. we treated the whole tank with medication and then installed the steriliser. fingers crossed, we have had no problems since.

they are not only for treating algae, although they do tackle this problem as well. they kill anything in the water that passes through it. as we have an external filter it is fitted on the tube going back into the tank. we got it as we wanted to do all we could for the health of our fish and irradicate all problems in the tank. of course Im not daft enough to think I'll never have a problem again, but I deffinatly prefer prevention rather than cure so this seemed like a good investment

we got ours online as it was a good price.

HTH

 

[Zippy]

I'm currently thinking of buying a UV, i have had no problems with parasites etc..but am wanting one as a precaution. I have alot of expensive fish and would never forgive myself if i lost them all down to a parasite infection that i could of stopped happening

 

[Tropjunky]

worth it if u have a big tank and fish that cost a loads.

 

[Max]

mostly used in saltwater, because you cant use chemicals to treat some parisites (due to copper)

i gues you could use it if you had really expencive fish...

 

[CFC]

On large tanks a UV sterilizer is invaluable since it will prevent outbreaks of common diseases like ICH which can cost fortunes to treat in large volumes of water, before i had a UV on my 205 gallon tank i had to use 5 bottles of medication to treat a ICH outbreak! This doesnt mean they have no use on small tanks though, IMO any tank with a external filter should also have a UV added too as for the relatively small ammount of money they cost (smaller models start at around £60) the peace of mind knowing your tank is parasite and pathogen free is priceless.

 

[Mr B]

I agree with CFC, I have a central filter to 4 large tanks. I don't want to treat 450 gallons again.

 

[Shizat]

A lot of people use them for their salt water aquariums or ponds not so much for fresh water for some reason.