UV Serilizers

[clira13]

Well guys I need some help. I have a125 gal tank that is 6 weeks old. I added fish too fast,they got sick and died. I know now I shouldnt have added fish after the first sign of ick. Now I am running my tank fishless for about 6 weeks. I bought a UV sterilizer bcuz I heard it helps kill bacterias,algae and parasites like ick.I havent installed it yet, but is a sterilizer really necessary? What are the pros and cons of having one? Did I make an unnecessary purchase? Please inform.

Thanks

 

[socaltropicalfish]

UV helps prevent out break, it's not necessary and it would not guarantee disease free tank.

It's only kill whatever pump thru the UV light, if the bacteria/ick/ ick eggs are in the tank or on the fish itself, there is not much you can do.

Overall if you plan to have lot of fish...UV light will help.

 

[Tom619]

my tank had a lot of disease problems the first year when i started out. (ich, etc)

ever since i installed the uv about a year ago, everything has been stable.
not sure it's because of the fact that i haven't done anything dramatic to the tank since, but i'm sure the uv has played a role. i can't prove it, but i'm not planning to fix anything if it's not broken. Dory has a spot of ich every now and then, but i've been told that that's ok, cuz it's like a common cold. overall: healthy.

had my tank for about 2 years

oh yeah, if you're concerned about diseases, get some cleaner shrimps. they regularly clean my tangs like a dentist!

 

[coral diver]

I have been using UV for 2 1/2 years now it comes on the same time as my main light to give chance for benifical bacteria to hide and leave floating one like ICK to be filtered and killed infact these remind me to clean the sleeves

 

[Tom619]

oh yeahhh. i remember you telling me that, uncle. smmarrtt

I have been using UV for 2 1/2 years now it comes on the same time as my main light to give chance for benifical bacteria to hide and leave floating one like ICK to be filtered and killed infact these remind me to clean the sleeves

 

[SDguy]

UV helps prevent out break, it's not necessary and it would not guarantee disease free tank.

It's only kill whatever pump thru the UV light, if the bacteria/ick/ ick eggs are in the tank or on the fish itself, there is not much you can do.

Overall if you plan to have lot of fish...UV light will help.

Tom pretty much sums it up.

UV units are most effective when running water from one tank, through the unit, and to a second tank. Obviously simply recirculating one tank will be less effective.

Also, manufacturers size their units for single celled algae and other tiny single celled life like this. It will do nothing to larger parasites like ich. Higher wattages and longer exposure times are needed for larger, multicellular organisms. There is a thread on RC I can dig up if anyone is interested in the math.

I used a 15W unit on a 30g hex, and it cleared up a horrible case of ich in the tank, within days. 15W per 30g is obviously very strong though....

 

[Tom619]

I used a 15W unit on a 30g hex, and it cleared up a horrible case of ich in the tank, within days. 15W per 30g is obviously very strong though....

That IS more than the usual power.
i was about to say, "i need more power!", until i read the rest of your sentence, peter. lol
i have 8w gamma for a 30g.

 

[clira13]

Tom pretty much sums it up.

UV units are most effective when running water from one tank, through the unit, and to a second tank. Obviously simply recirculating one tank will be less effective.

Also, manufacturers size their units for single celled algae and other tiny single celled life like this. It will do nothing to larger parasites like ich. Higher wattages and longer exposure times are needed for larger, multicellular organisms. There is a thread on RC I can dig up if anyone is interested in the math.

I used a 15W unit on a 30g hex, and it cleared up a horrible case of ich in the tank, within days. 15W per 30g is obviously very strong though....

Peter,
I am definately interested in the thread. I bought a 25W Gamma uv light. is this enough? and how many cleaner shrimp can I put in the 125? I will be seeting up a QT tank this weekend does the QT tank need UV also?

 

[SDguy]

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1010554