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Hi all, just wondering about UV sterilizers. How well do they work? would it be worthwhile to put one on a new tank? to prevent the possibility of outbreaks of ich or other parasites? Also, do they destroy the bacteria colonies as well? then the tank would never cycle. I don't understand the logic there. jw

Tran,

UV sterilizers are ultra-violet lamps that are placed in-line with the discharge side of a cannister filter or operate idependently with an intake and output separate from the filter system. The UV light will kill pathogens and algae cells and spores. The "if" on the kill rate for pathogens and algae is the flow rate across the light. The slower the flow rate, the greater exposure of the water to the light and the greater sterilization of the water.

The UV lamp does not affect the bio-bacteria load of the aquarium or the filter. Remember that nitrifying bacteria exist on all surfaces of your aquarium from hardscape and glass to substrate and the water. In addition the bacteria are cultivated in the filter media. The UV lamp will only affect the water that passes through the unit, always after the filter.

__________
"To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism; to steal from many is research."
researched from Steven Wright

OK, then it goes in-line with your filter? I thought it was a seperate unit. Anyways, the big question is "are they effective?" Thanks a lot ofr your reply

Hi,
UV lights are best used when they are placed in the output
of a filter. They can be used separately with their own
pump. However, they must be cleaned on a regular basis
to keep the inner glass sleeve free of "dirt." They will
stay cleaner, longer, if in the output of a filter, than
if they are used by themselves.

UV sterilizers are extremely effective. The "kill rate"
depends upon how long the water is exposed to the UV light.
Balance that with the fact that they run extremely hot and
thus use Quartz instead of glass for bulbs and sleeves.
Therefore they you can't just slow the pump down and have
the water drift through the unit, it has to actually flow
at the rate listed on the unit, to keep it cool and
operating effectively. To lengthen the "dwell" time,
(the time the water is exposed to the UV light) many have
several passages built into the plastic housing, or they
wind the water through a spiral glass tube with the UV bulb
in the center.

Remember that theirs is a weakening, or cumulative effect
on the system. You are not shining a UV light on the whole
tank at once. Instead you are passing a few gallons an hour
through the UV system and over time will kill off the
floating bacteria and parasites, but will be killing them
off slowly as they get caught up in the filtration system
or UV intake.

Frank


Last edited by FRANK at 15-Feb-2005 09:46

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OK, I get it now. They do work very well, but are best off when placed in line after the filter. But this would mean that I would need a cannister filter, not the HOB that I'm used to. Not that big of a problem, a 55 could go either way. or perhaps an undergravel filter, although I plan to plant this tank. would a stick filter suffice for that? I guess what I'd like to know is which filter would be best. I'm thinking of this because of my dolphin (mormyrus tapirus). He's sensitive to all medications and susceptible to parasites and stuff due to being scaleless. I don't think he has a slime coat to protect him. still lookin into that.
Anyways, thank you so much for the info

I just installed a canister filter and plumbed my uv sterilizer into the output line. Kind of nice to have it out of sight behind the tank now. Before, I was using a penguin 330 biowheel HOB filter and had the sterilizer hanging on the back of the tank with a small powerhead to pump water thru it. That method worked very well and kept the water sparkling.I was having trouble with algae blooms in my tank and the uv sterilizer cleared it right up. I also haven't had any deaths due to any apparent diseases or infections.

So then either way it works well? just easier and better lookin in line with a can