UV Sterilizer

[knutty]

I jsut had a fish die from ICH. I am not wanting to get into the habbit of using harsh chemicals so I just ordered a UV sterilizer. they claim this can kill 98% of all waterborne baddies. any experience out there> my other fish appear to be fine now. i will be using the 18w double helix on my fluval 304 in my 55 gallon tank. any comments or ideas or concerns? please let me know.

 

[smb]

I don't know anything about UV's but here's a link that has some info in it.

TFF UV Thread

 

[knutty]

it cost a little more than expected... i had to get a RIO pump for it, the fluval was just not keeping my flow rates up. however.... i thought I had clear water before... holy cow. It is crystal clear..simply amazing. absolutely the most perfect water I have ever had. I am not sure what was in there, possibly algae spores or other biologic material. the results were well worth the pain it was to set it up and the cost.

 

[njparton]

I guess they'll only be usefull if a high proportion of your tank water passes through it before any pathogens/bacteria have a chance to re-multiply?

 

[knutty]

The idea is to keep the flow slow. This ensures a higher kill rate in the unit itselt. The longer the biologic is in contact with uv, the better chance it will die. The UV unit still makes clean water faster than the biologic can multiply.

 

[ste2k3]

njpartion and knutty, you are both right in a way, the Idea is to have a slow flow so that all the pathogens/algaes in the water are killed but you also ned the correct size unit for your tank. ie a 50 gallon U.V will not work in a 75 gallon tank. this is where a lot of people go wrong, they think that buying a small U.V which is rated will do the job but not as well. this will not get rid of things like white spot which will remultiply faster than the U.V zap's them.

 

[njparton]

njpartion and knutty, you are both right in a way, the Idea is to have a slow flow so that all the pathogens/algaes in the water are killed but you also ned the correct size unit for your tank. ie a 50 gallon U.V will not work in a 75 gallon tank. this is where a lot of people go wrong, they think that buying a small U.V which is rated will do the job but not as well. this will not get rid of things like white spot which will remultiply faster than the U.V zap's them.

I'm having a bit of a recurring problem with white spot at the moment.

Any ideas where I can get one suitable for a 140L tank in the Warrington area (I work at Birchwood) or online at a reasonable price?

 

[ste2k3]

you may be in luck. we have one in the shop where I work second hand. a vecton uv for £25 and a HW one for £30. i'm in work tomorrow so I'll check the ratings on them and will post the reply when I get in tomorrow. or you can phone up and ask and some one will be able to tell you.

tel: 01925 483979

aquaworld

36 church street
just down the road from sainsburys.

 

[knutty]

if those do not pan out, bigalsonline.com has pretty good deals. i went with a custom sealife unit that is rated for 250 gallon tank, 18 watt. my tank is 55 gallons. i figured i would be getting a larger tank soon. they are a little over 100 USD.

 

[ste2k3]

the hw U.V should be big enough for your tank.

 

[njparton]

the hw U.V should be big enough for your tank.

Is "hw" the name of the manufacturer or the type of steriliser?

I'd like to check out the specs onlline first...

Thanks for having a look

 

[njparton]

if those do not pan out, bigalsonline.com has pretty good deals. i went with a custom sealife unit that is rated for 250 gallon tank, 18 watt. my tank is 55 gallons. i figured i would be getting a larger tank soon. they are a little over 100 USD.

I'm in the UK, so don't really want to buy anything from overseas (hassle, plugs, 110/240V etc. etc.).

 

[ste2k3]

heres a link

http/www.sewatec.de/product_info.php/cPa...products_id/202

you can actually see the bulb. through a clear protective shield.

they are meant to be better than normall U.V's

 

[ste2k3]

heres a better link direct to there site

http/www.sewatec.de/product_info.php/cPa...products_id/202

 

[ste2k3]

sorry wrong one, this is the one

http/www.hw-wiegandt.de/Englisch/UV-Gera.../uv-gerate.html