uv sterilzer

[Travis55]

So i wanna get a uv sterilizer for my 29bc. What all do they kill? Ich and algae but what kinds of algae? Cyano? Hair? Thanks all!

[Ibnzmonkey]

I'd like to know as well. I am thinking of plumbing one into my sump return.

[aquatect]

There are certainly some benefits to having a UV sterilizer but, in my opinion, the drawbacks far outweight any benefit you can realize from running one.

 

It will effectively kill all free-floating biologicals in the water column. This means all the good ones, as well (and there are a lot more of these than there should be bad ones).

 

There are plenty of other steps you can take to control fish disease outbreak (like QTing fish) and algae (lots of ways but keeping nitrates down through water changes would be number one).

 

I personally don't see a need for UV sterilizers these days. It's a waste of money in my personal opinion and can actually end up being detrimental.

 

$.02

[jedimasterben]

It takes more than a UV sterilizer to fix ich and algae issues.

[aquatect]

That's true as well. Ich is a pretty stubborn thing to kick....and a UV sterilizer will help reduce spreading but won't do anything to eliminate the disease itself.

 

Algae problems are *usually* fairly easy fixes. They stem from common well-identified and well-researched water issues and given the proper steps can be cleared up for a lot less money than a UV Sterilizer will set you back.

[mpg732]

It takes more than a UV sterilizer to fix ich and algae issues.

+1

[Mitch619]

I'm selling a biocube sterilizer $25 shipped if you want it. Pm me

[jedimasterben]

That's true as well. Ich is a pretty stubborn thing to kick....and a UV sterilizer will help reduce spreading but won't do anything to eliminate the disease itself.

 

Algae problems are *usually* fairly easy fixes. They stem from common well-identified and well-researched water issues and given the proper steps can be cleared up for a lot less money than a UV Sterilizer will set you back.

A UV sterilizer will not prevent ich from spreading.

[Urchinhead]

The key is "hang time". What that means is the amount of time the water (and the stuff in the water) is in front of the UV light. In general the flow rate needs to be down in the low 30's gph for a UV light of 9w to be effective. I know that people say 40-60 but the reality is lower than 30.

 

It will kill any ich that is in the water column that passes in front of it *IF* the hang time is long enough. But it will not rid the tank of ich. Same deal with algae.

 

Unless you are looking for a extra water heater or are really paranoid/extra clean about your tank don't bother.

[mpg732]

The key is "hang time". What that means is the amount of time the water (and the stuff in the water) is in front of the UV light. In general the flow rate needs to be down in the low 30's gph for a UV light of 9w to be effective. I know that people say 40-60 but the reality is lower than 30.

 

It will kill any ich that is in the water column that passes in front of it *IF* the hang time is long enough. But it will not rid the tank of ich. Same deal with algae.

 

Unless you are looking for a extra water heater or are really paranoid/extra clean about your tank don't bother.

Its not only "hang time" but also how clean the water is going into the unit. If you add mechanical filter that can filter the water down to or below 10 micron, you will greatly improve the efficiency of the sterilizer.

[Urchinhead]

Ok sure. Hang time and water clarity. Doesn't change the fact that an organism needs to be exposed to the UV radiation for a set amount of time. Usually much slower than originally thought or for that matter stated on the marketing materials.

[jedimasterben]

Ok sure. Hang time and water clarity. Doesn't change the fact that an organism needs to be exposed to the UV radiation for a set amount of time. Usually much slower than originally thought or for that matter stated on the marketing materials.

Marketing materials in this hobby mean nothing - there are no repercussions for any manufacturer claiming anything. One could claim that their food pellets will cause your fish to don top hats and canes and do a dance number every time you feed and get in no trouble whatsoever.