UV Sterilizer and Fish Disease

[joeoliver]

I've been running a UV Sterilizer for about a year now because of some disease that killed some of my fish. Everything has been great since and am now at the point where I should be replacing my bulb. I don't really want to spend the money on a new bulb and UV is supposed to also kill beneficial bacterial so not sure I should continue with the UV.

Maybe if I only add quarantined fish, I can get away without using UV? What are you guys doing about new fish and fish disease?

 

[joseserrano]

Quarantined is the only guarantee

 

[bakbay]

I've been running a UV Sterilizer for about a year now because of some disease that killed some of my fish. Everything has been great since and am now at the point where I should be replacing my bulb. I don't really want to spend the money on a new bulb and UV is supposed to also kill beneficial bacterial so not sure I should continue with the UV.

Maybe if I only add quarantined fish, I can get away without using UV? What are you guys doing about new fish and fish disease?

UV is to clarify the water, unless you got a few hundred watts. UV light is relative “cheap” so why take a chance? Hey - water clarity is well worth it , no?
I run 2x57w but had ich, velvet and flukes. I don’t think that it’s a sure bet to eradicate all parasites and bacteria. So — QT or survival of the fittest.

 

[joeoliver]

thanks for the feedback! when I first set up my uv, i had lost several fish and my fox face was shaking his head. it was so sad. I ran uv and dosed hydrogen peroxide in my dt and he got well pretty quickly. so I felt like it helped and at that time I said I would never stop uv.

everything's been fine since. I guess I forgot
how bad it was. my tank is doing well with uv, including fish and coral, and I have it all plumbed so why not continue with what's working, right?

I also like the local fish quarantine options so more peace of mind.

 

[anthonys_aqua]

UV is to clarify the water, unless you got a few hundred watts. UV light is relative “cheap” so why take a chance? Hey - water clarity is well worth it , no?
I run 2x57w but had ich, velvet and flukes. I don’t think that it’s a sure bet to eradicate all parasites and bacteria. So — QT or survival of the fittest.

UV isnt meant to kill all parasites, its meant to keep the numbers of free floating ich at bay.
After speaking with some people they even said the UV thats recommend for tank size isnt really meant for parasite killing, mainly water clarity and some bacterial stuff in the tank.

Also gotta remember about QT is that you have to QT everything thats wet or else theres no point
Maybe besides just deworming but internal parasite typically take a while before it kills fishes

 

[Dooly]

I quarantine everything that is alive and still run UV's on every system

 

[Jimbo327]

If you already spent the money on the UV, you might as well replace the bulb and continue to use it. Probably a great insurance anyways.

 

[joeoliver]

thanks. yeah. I'm just going to continue to use it.

 

[bakbay]

I quarantine everything that is alive and still run UV's on every system

What about beneficial bacteria? Do you QT those guys too?

 

[Discotu]

Your fish getting better with uv is anecdotal at best and most likely coincidence. A lot of fish if feeding well and kept in healthy conditions can overcome diseases. Not to be confused with 100% cured. That said, there is a possibility your fish could still be carrying something and give it to new fish that's introduced into your tank because they will be stressed with lower immunity. I would still qt any new fish with the proper qt protocol and hope for the best. FWIW, I run UV for the purposes of water clarity and it drastically cuts down on how often I need to clean the glass.

 

[Dooly]

What about beneficial bacteria? Do you QT those guys too?

LOL of course I do man.. I use a nano particle centrifugal ultra accelerator with lasers and only the survivors go into my growout tank..

 

[Discotu]

Oh and use OEM blubs. The knockoffs on amz/ebay don't work/last as long

 

[Discotu]

LOL of course I do man.. I use a nano particle centrifugal ultra accelerator with lasers and only the survivors go into my growout tank..

And I thought I was a gear junkie lol

 

[bakbay]

LOL of course I do man.. I use a nano particle centrifugal ultra accelerator with lasers and only the survivors go into my growout tank..

Indestructible bacterial army with 3 eyes — I love it!!

 

[anthonys_aqua]

This is also super important too, depends on the brands etc.

alot of good info on here:
https://www.americanaquariumproducts.com/sterilization.html

 

[Jimbo327]

BRS has president's day sale and UV bulb/sleeve is on sale. I would pick up one if you are going to replace. Save a few bucks too.

 

[joeoliver]

BRS has president's day sale and UV bulb/sleeve is on sale. I would pick up one if you are going to replace. Save a few bucks too.

awesome! thanks, jimbo!