Uv Steriliser

[Squidward]

Hi All,

I am having a very persistent case of Ich at the moment which I am battling to get on top of.
The man at the lfs suggested I install a UV steriliser.
Will this help?

Does a UV reduce the filter flow?
Or, for it to be effective, do I have to reduce the flow rate?

Thanks
Squidward

 

[Aquascaper]

It's a very expensive Ich treatment compared to chemical medications as, once the Ich has been dealt with, there's no point in running the UV as it will kill all bacteria/pathogens in the water regardless of wether they're detrimental or beneficial.

I would stick to medications and raising temperature.

 

[Squidward]

It's a very expensive Ich treatment compared to chemical medications as, once the Ich has been dealt with, there's no point in running the UV as it will kill all bacteria/pathogens in the water regardless of wether they're detrimental or beneficial.

I would stick to medications and raising temperature.

Aquascaper,

My tank is 550L so every time I dose with medications, I use a lot of it. (A QT tank is not an option for me)
This case of Ich has been quite persistent, so it's costing me a fortune in meds anyway. (I have been using Esha Exit in conjunction with 2000).

 

[Aquascaper]

It's your call then but if you have persistent Ich then you're not eliminating it totally each time and running a UV steriliser will just mask that issue by keeping it under control better.

if you do get one you need to make sure the flowrate through the steriliser is correct for the bulb wattage as too fast and it won't do the job, too slow and it will zap everything and anything. Each unit will give correct flowrates and ideal water volume to be used on.