UV - where, when

[treesprite]

I'm wondering about people's practices with UV sterilization.

 

I don't usually use mine other than QT, and if I really needed one for the whole system, I would need a bigger one since I got it when my system volumn was way smaller.

 

My understanding is that as far as disease goes, it is only useful as a preventative, that it won't help a fish from the effects of anything already attatched to the fish.

 

I would also like to know under what circumstances it should not be used.

 

Thanks.

[CHUBAKAH]

When using a system like Brightwell's Neozeo, or any of the others that use the same premise [i.e. Zeofit, Fauna marin, and others], UV should not be used as it kills the important nutrients. Personally, I don't have much faith in them anyway, so I would never own one, but that's me.

[treesprite]

When using a system like Brightwell's Neozeo, or any of the others that use the same premise [i.e. Zeofit, Fauna marin, and others], UV should not be used as it kills the important nutrients. Personally, I don't have much faith in them anyway, so I would never own one, but that's me.

I'm assuming it should not be used when dosing a carbon source (like vodka, vinegar, sugar), due to killing the bacteria w/gobbled up nutrients before the skmiier could skim them out.

[CHUBAKAH]

Now that I am not sure of, but would also have to assume it would have some ill effects.

[Highland Reefer]

Using UV while adding vodka, sugar or vinegar can be counterproductive. It will kill the free floating bacteria that is driven by carbon dosing. However, when exporting nutrients through bacteria, you will be skimming them off anyway. UV will not have much affect on the bacteria that is attached or located in a deep sand bed.

[treesprite]

Using UV while adding vodka, sugar or vinegar can be counterproductive. It will kill the free floating bacteria that is driven by carbon dosing. However, when exporting nutrients through bacteria, you will be skimming them off anyway. UV will not have much affect on the bacteria that is attached or located in a deep sand bed.

That's what I thought, thanks

[lanman]

I purchased an appropriately sized UV for my 240-gallon tank. It arrived. I thought someone had shipped me a rocket launcher. Not having seen one - I didn't realize how large they are. I haven't yet installed it. I will have to make some kind of hanging bracket under my stand or something.

 

bob

[zygote2k]

I see no point in using a UV. I'm trying to grow my plankton, not kill it. If you need UV, you're doing something wrong. I've heard of people using them when growing phytoplankton cultures though.

[treesprite]

I see no point in using a UV. I'm trying to grow my plankton, not kill it. If you need UV, you're doing something wrong. I've heard of people using them when growing phytoplankton cultures though.

I think for the most part, the reason people use them is to prevent diseases like ich, which is why I use my for the QT for new fish.