UV sterilizers

[Alien_spawn]

Just wanted to know how people felt about them and which are the best/ cheapest to get?

Cheers

 

[njparton]

Just wanted to know how people felt about them and which are the best/ cheapest to get?

Cheers

Vectron UV sterilisers seem to get a good name and I'm considering buying their smallest model to help cure a persistent case of fin rot in my tank.

Not cheap though at the best part of £60

If your fish aren't suffering any persistent health problems, I don't think they're necessary.

 

[ste2k3]

I run 2 30watt ones on my catfish tank. they make the water sparkle. they also help to keep parasites such as white spot (protazoa) under control. They are not neccacery but a good piece of kit to have. also, they stop algae/plankton bloms

ste

 

[njparton]

They make the water sparkle because of the lower algea content?

Out of interest, do the instructions state that they are good at keeping fungal infections under control?

 

[ste2k3]

yeah, any algae in the water (not the stuff that grows on the glass etc) is killed and taken out by the filter. I would not think that they would be good in controlling the fungal in fection as the light will not come in to contact with the fungus. BUT, the main cause of white spot is stress. now if the fish is ill, then it wil be stressed which can lead to secondry infections such as white spot which the U.V will help to control but don't expect it to eradicate it as onlt the parasites/spores that pass throught he tube will be killed.

ste

 

[Lateral Line]

I've never used a UV.

 

[Alien_spawn]

its just something I'm considering investing in, if I can get one cheap enough lol

 

[ste2k3]

have a look around for second hand ones as the are normally quite cheap compared to buying them new.

ste

 

[Alien_spawn]

sounds like a dumb question I know lol, I could run it along side a Fluval 404? so I have two filters?

If not how do they connect? i.e do they go on intake / outlet pipes of an existing filter?

Cheers

 

[Lateral Line]

Since any particulates and crap will absorb or scatter the UV, it should go after the filter to zap anything that survives the ride through it.

As I said, I've always considered them a luxury on a freshwater tank, but have a friend who uses one on his pond to keep the water clear. It has ordinary type pipe connectors like an Eheim cannister. I don't know if they are all like that. Don't Fluval filters use a special "ribbed" tubing? That might restrict the choice somewhat.

Whatever, you'll need to be sure the water path throught the UV does not restrict the flow from the filter.

 

[Alien_spawn]

Yes fluvals use those awful ribbed hoses!! I don't know if that restricts what I could use

 

[njparton]

Yes fluvals use those awful ribbed hoses!! I don't know if that restricts what I could use

I wouldn't imagine so, just connect it in the middle of the ouflow pipe.

I was considering adding one to my 104.

 

[Hazmat]

I also run a Vecton UV steriliser on my tank.
I'm happy with it.

 

[njparton]

I also run a Vecton UV steriliser on my tank.
I'm happy with it.

Have you got it attached to a powerhead or external filter?

 

[Hazmat]

I have a wet/dry sump with a pump and its attached after the filter and pump. You can see it here.
http/fish.orbust.net/forums/index.php?sh...topic=21084&hl=