Uv Sterilizer

[jordan.m]

Hey all,

I'm currently planning for my 55 gallon tank, I'm pretty sure I'm going with a canister filter. I was wondering, should I consider getting a UV sterilizer? What kind of benefits will I get from using one? Are there any cons? How will the UV sterilizer effect a planted tank?

This is the UV sterilizer in question: http/www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod...p;N=2004+113778

Thanks,
Jordan

 

[Dave Spencer]

If you can get AquaEl filters in the States, some come with a UV steriliser built in. A UV will kill any waterborne bacteria or parasites, plus any free floating algae. I haven`t set mine up yet, but I am hoping for crystal clear water.

 

[crazie.eddie]

A UV sterilizer has 3 purposes:
1. Eleminate algae
2. Eleminate parasites
3. Eleminate bacteria

Each purpose requires a maximum GPH to utilize the UV. This is due to the amount of time the water spends through the UV light. If you intend to use the UV to connect to your canister filter, then you should get a UV a maximum GPH rating that your filter will allow. In this case, since it's for a 55 gallon tank, I would assume that you should get the 25 watt UV. Otherwise, you can buy a lower wattage UV and connect it to a powerhead or pump with a lower GPH rating.

UV's are commonly used in planted tanks to rid of GW and diatoms. Many people who use UV's with ferts only turn on the UV's after a few days of applying the ferts. The reason is, there is rumor that UV breaks down chelated iron, which is the only con I can think of. There has not been any scientific research on this. Otherwise, if you don't use ferts, you can keep it on 24/7.

Turbo twists are the most popular UV's. I use a 18 watt, which I made portable, by connecting it to a powerhead.

 

[jordan.m]

Cool, thanks for the info everyone. I definitely look forward to getting mine!

 

[Lateral Line]

You might want to browse this thread about UV's. I would say they are unecessary on a f/w tank, others had some good points.

 

[crazie.eddie]

Unnecessary? I doubt it. It's a nice piece of equipment to have in case you have a breakout of parasites/bacteria or even GW.

 

[SuperColey1]

I have a cheap one in the tank, just as an added safety guard.

Don't need it to kill algae, because my plants and plecs take care of algae.
Don't need it to kill disease because I haven't had any for ages before I bought it.

Only got it as a proactive measure against future posible outbreaks of disease.

I have seen hugely succesful before and after pics on here with the cheap model I bought, so for £25 i got it.

Couldn't say wether it works or not, apart from that my tank used to be as clear as glass, and now its as clear as freshly cleaned glass. lol

 

[crazie.eddie]

The thing is, some algae are diatoms or spores. A drop of water from a contamated tankwith either diatoms or spores can easily spread into your tank. Given the right environment (high nutrients, lights, etc.) can make the population explode.

 

[Lateral Line]

Unnecessary? I doubt it.

I've kept fish for more then 40 years, and have never used a UV, I therefore do not believe them to be necessary. If they were, how come I've never needed one?

The only guy I know that has one has it on his pond to combat green water caused by direct sunlight.

 

[crazie.eddie]

People have problems with GW, parasites, or bacteria. It's easy to treat a single fish for parasites or bacteria, byt placing it int a QT tank, but how about a huge outbreak? Instead of buying meds to treat a tank of parasites or bacteria, why not use a UV? Certain meds are effected by fish in different ways. So if you have a big outbreak, just use a UV. It's safe for fish, plants, etc.

If you have a battle with GW, blackout may work, but you feel uneasy leaving the fish untouched for 5 or more days with no water changes. Don't forget, diatoms create GW. 1 drop of water can contain allot. You perform a blackout and get rid of the tank, but you forget about the net you just used, or some kind of container, which still contains the diatoms. Then you accidently contaminate your tank again and with the right circumstances, BOOOM. GW all over again. At least with UV, just turn on the UV to get rid of it.

UV wasn't popular or even known 40 years ago. Some people do not feel comfortable trying the latest things available, so I can probably see why you don't really think you have a need for it.

I know many people in a plant forum I belong to use it, basically only for ridding GW. It's even more difficult to perform a blackout method on planted tanks. The reason, plants need light. No light, dead/dying plants. Since the original poster asked the question on how it effects a planted tank, then then my answer relates more towards that.

 

[Lateral Line]

UV wasn't popular or even known 40 years ago. Some people do not feel comfortable trying the latest things available, so I can probably see why you don't really think you have a need for it.

Not so, I am quite happy with the latest technology. I work on the cutting edge of technology on a day to day basis, (although the place I am working at the moment has some ancient gear as well).

I don't have green water. To me, the presence of green water indicates a system out of balance, and the UV is used to mask the fact by removing the symptom, not the cause.

Whatever floats your boat however, if he wants to run a UV, it isn't going to do any harm.