Uv Sterilizers

[TropicalJuwel]

Just a quick question on uv sterilizers, are they really worth having? Are you currently using one? And if so did you have better quality water. I have a 400 litre tank thats recently finished cycling so was just wondering if it's worth fitting one or if the cost of running plus price out weighed the pluses?

 

[raptorrex]

Just a quick question on uv sterilizers, are they really worth having? Are you currently using one? And if so did you have better quality water. I have a 400 litre tank thats recently finished cycling so was just wondering if it's worth fitting one or if the cost of running plus price out weighed the pluses?

not in the slightest. its a good TOY, but little more.

I'm not saying they dont have their uses. just they are of little use as an, always on, attachment in a hobby Tropical tank..

 

[TropicalJuwel]

O.K thanks for letting me know. Anyone else got any info on them or is currently using one, with any pluses and minus? I can find loads of info on the web but prefer it not from people thats trying to sell me one. Lol.

 

[raptorrex]

O.K thanks for letting me know. Anyone else got any info on them or is currently using one, with any pluses and minus? I can find loads of info on the web but prefer it not from people thats trying to sell me one. Lol.

what might help you is to look at how these things actually work. as opposed to how they are claimed to work.
you will find, I'm sure, the two do not match up.
also a forum search will reveal may threads on just this subject. the descussions there, may prove revealing.

 

[TropicalJuwel]

Cheers mate, I will do that now.

 

[Caprichoso]

Just a quick question on uv sterilizers, are they really worth having? Are you currently using one? And if so did you have better quality water. I have a 400 litre tank thats recently finished cycling so was just wondering if it's worth fitting one or if the cost of running plus price out weighed the pluses?

They help to control algae in the water column but don't seem to do much for algae attached to surfaces. The UV has to come into direct contact with the algae to be effective and the light itself has to be a very high quality and strong enough for the pond/tank it's being used in. These units are a small fortune! I have never used one. My parents use one in their outdoor pond. They work great for controlling green water but anything else, forget about it. I know they work for that specific purpose because every time it wasn't used in the pond, the green water was horrid! I also certainly wouldn't rely on a UV to kill bacteria or viruses.

 

[TropicalJuwel]

I was thinking the main reason I would get 1 was to keep any algae growth to a minimum as I have a planted tank and have lights on for long periods. Wasn't really thinking of it as a form of keeping germs down as I have never really had any problems as my water quality is really good.

 

[TwoTankAmin]

I have a UV unit. It was purchased expressly for the purpose of using it on tanks into which newly imported altum angels would go. It was bought specifically to kill bacteria. It is intended to be used as needed and not as a 356 day a year item. In fact it runs some of the time 24/7 and other times 12/7 and most times not at all.

A properly configured UV system can be used to kill algae in the water, many bacteria, harder to kill bacteria and some viruses. I did a fair amount of research before I picked up my unit. This included exchanging posts and emails with folks who use the units for much the same purposes outlined above. One of the best articles I found on the topic was on a site which does sell UV units as well as other aquarium supplies. I found the article to be most informative and not intended to sell me anything.

Decide for yourself ULTRAVIOLET STERILIZATION (How UV sterilization works). This article explains the Benefits and Myths about Aquarium and Pond UV Sterilization

 

[TropicalJuwel]

Thanks for that twotankamin I will have a look through that now. Does anyone have some sort of costing for running these for a year if its on 24/7 365 days a year, I'm not very good at working these sort of things out?

 

[raptorrex]

whilst UV does kill bacteria, it comes into contact with, it is incapable of treating the whole tank at once.
unless a tank is treated all at once, no bacteria or virus can be eradicated.
so the best a UV treated tank can do is control the bacteria/viral amounts.
and that's massively different to treating the problem.
it can be used to reduce the amounts of bacteria/virus. prior to treatment. (this can be important)
but its the medication that gets rid (eradicates) the bugs.
once again twotank is fooled by sales speak. mistaking this, for real information. (though most of the technical information is correct. the conclusions as to how these affect will help your tank. are bogus, for the most part.)

as for treating algae? well yes it will. but so will light control, the real problem with high algae tanks. (and light control will fix the algae problem. not just keep the amounts in check)
however, even here, there is no argument for anything other than periodic use.

I bought one some time ago.
used it to sort the algae.
changed the light regime.
and have never used it since.


and there is one point there is no getting round.
if UV's really do what they claim. how did anybody ever keep healthy fish, before the TOY was invented?
also why is it still the case that the vast majority of fishkeepres don't use one.

a mature, none UV treated tank. will be just as healthy as a UV treated tank.
all that differs is you dont have to buy, power or pay for new UV bulbs, in the untreated tank..

the last point to consider, if you are unable to keep a tank without the help of UV is.
What are you doing wrong?
its a valid question, because the vast majority of us can.

 

[TwoTankAmin]

Yep I have been fooled........... and so have the researchers below. And I have no idea why folks who import blackwater species all seem to use UV as well, they must be fooled as well.

Ultraviolet Treatment of Water for Destruction of Five Gram-Negative Bacteria Pathogenic to Fishes
G. L. Bullock, H. M. Stuckey

Published on the web 14 April 2011.

Journal of the Fisheries Research Board of Canada, 1977, 348) 1244-1249, 10.1139/f77-183


Abstract
Filtration (25 nm) and ultraviolet irradiation dosages of 13,100–29,400 microwatt seconds per square centimetre (μW∙s∙cm[sup]−2[/sup]) effected a 99.98–100% reduction of five gram-negative fish pathogens — Aeromonas salmonicida, A. hydrophila, Vibrio anguillarum, Pseudomonas fluorescens, and the enteric redmouth organism in 12.5 °C clear spring water or spring water containing particulate matter. Filtration and a dosage of 4500 μW∙s∙cm[sup]−2[/sup] killed 99.83–100% of test strains in spring water and 4000–4750 μW∙s∙cm[sup]−2[/sup] killed 99.33–99.99% in water with particulate matter. Irradiation of unfiltered water containing particulate matter was less effective, especially at dosages of 5000 μW∙s∙cm[sup]−2[/sup] or less, which killed 97–99.94% of strains. Filtration and 13,100 μW∙s∙cm[sup]−2[/sup] irradiation of water containing A. salmonicida prevented transmission of furunculosis. Key words: ultraviolet irradiation, bacterial fish pathogens, water disinfection

From http/www.nrcresear...10.1139/f77-183

Evaluation of a range of doses of ultraviolet irradiation to inactivate waterborne actinospore stages of Myxobolus cerebralis
R. P. Hedrick1, *, B. Petri 2, T. S. McDowell 1 , K. Mukkatira1 , L. J. Sealey2 1
Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California,
One Shields Avenue, Davis, California 95616, USA 2
Trojan Technologies, 3020 Gore Road, London, Ontario N5V 4T7, Canada

ABSTRACT: The ability of a range of doses of ultraviolet irradiation (UV) to inactivate the waterborne actinospore or triactinomyxon stages (TAMs) of Myxobolus cerebralis was evaluated by infectivity for juvenile rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss. TAMs were UV-irradiated using a low pressure mercury vapour lamp collimated beam apparatus. All doses 40, 80, 120 and 160 mJ cm–2 were found to completely inactivate the TAMs as demonstrated by the absence of microscopic lesions, myxospores and parasite DNA detected by quantitative PCR (qPCR) among rainbow trout 5 mo post-exposure. In contrast, rainbow trout receiving the same concentrations of untreated TAMs (1000 fish–1 ) developed clinical signs of whirling disease at 2 mo post-exposure and had severe microscopic lesions, high myxospore counts and high qPCR values when examined at 5 mo following exposure to the parasite.

From http/www.int-res.com/articles/dao_oa/d074p113.pdf

A less scientific but very informative read can be found here http/www.tastelesswater.com/ultraviolet_germicidal_irradiation/encyclopedia.htm this article cites and links to tons of supporting evidence.

 

[Vin Swords]

I use 2 x 25w on 450l tank. Overstocked with over 8 inch tank mates and also heavily planted. It do go extra mile.. Most ppl don't get it, coz most don't know how to use a uv unit..

I am looking in to building a 6x30w pro uv unit for my next upgrade. As I would never have a aquarium without a good uv unit..

Thee end.