U.V. Sterilizers

[Jeff]

I am considering a uv sterilizer for my 125 gal. freshwater cichlid aquarium. I currently have the Coralife turbo twist 9 watt unit in my sights.

I'm looking for info and advice. Is a uv sterilizer a good buy?

[Julie]

Not sure you need it.

Julie

[Nelson]

I am considering a uv sterilizer for my 125 gal. freshwater cichlid aquarium. I currently have the Coralife turbo twist 9 watt unit in my sights.

I'm looking for info and advice. Is a uv sterilizer a good buy?

I'm currently running 2 X 9 watts and an 18 Watt UV sterilizer.  Since installing them 1.5 years ago I've not had an outbreak of disease or algae bloom.  Do I credit the sterilizers?  I think I do, but I'm not going to take them off-line to confirm it

[Julie]

Nelson:  do you have one on your discus tank?

[Nelson]

Nelson:  do you have one on your discus tank?

Yes, I'm using the 18 watt Leguna on it.

[Julie]

Why I don't believe in them for a fish tank is I use my water directly from the well which is generally loaded with coliform.
It doesn't effect the fish at all.  
I'm not exactly sure what the uv kills, I know for my drinking water it eliminates the coliform and would eliminate small amounts of ecoli if necessary, however the lakes and rivers the fish inhabit are far from sterile in this respect.  I don't think uv eliminates parasites like hex because the fish is already carrying it in their system.

Julie

[Nelson]

I don't have any experience in the use of well water so I can't comment.  Possibly UV sterilization is unecessary in your case.  I installed my sterilizers as a precaution rather than as a cure - not unlike the Discus Essentials additive I use.  I did research them quite a bit before I made the investment and everything I read told me they're a worthwhile addition to the overall quality of the water.  Drsfostersmith.com is just one of the many sites that advocate their use.

"UV sterilizers have many advantages and very few drawbacks. In addition to being easy to install, requiring low maintenance, and being affordable, they can provide huge health benefits for your fish."

[Julie]

I have a trojan on the supply from the well/water softener.
It eliminates the coliform so my children aren't exposed to it.
I bought it because of the walkerton scare.  I drank the water for years before even realizing it had anything in it.
As far as health concerns, it gets rid of the coliform which can/cannot be detrimental to health??  However the effect of the uv rays on the water is questionable, could it be a carcinogen??
Not exactly sure what it does for the fish.

Julie

[Nelson]

Here is a quote from the following site that discusses the benefits of using a UV sterilizer.  The use here is in a sw tank but the same principles/benefits apply:

www.netpets.org/fish/healthspa/uvsteril.html

"The UV sterilizer is a tool used by many marine aquarists to combat and kill harmful, waterborne bacteria, viruses, fungi, and small protozoans, which may turn a beautiful and peaceful aquarium into a deadly nightmare. The UV unit also helps control algae blooms by killing waterborne algae. My introduction to the UV sterilizer derived from a challenging battle with a common marine fish disease called Cryptocaryon (ICH). After analyzing my unfortunate situation, I concluded many variables (overstocking, filter maintenance, new fish introductions, etc.) to the cause of my dilemma. The problem and its causes were eventually resolved; however, fish lives were lost. To a true marine aquarist, a lost fish symbolizes failure and an opportunity for improvement. I consulted a local reliable pet store for techniques on how to avoid common marine fish diseases. The UV sterilizer was mentioned during the inquiry, but initially discounted because of cost (15 watt - $119). I researched my options and eventually concluded that the UV sterilizer would help me provide superior water conditions for my marine aquarium inhabitants.

The UV sterilizer was rushed home and immediately hooked up to my Fluval 403 canister filter. I witnessed positive results in only 48 hours of the initial hook up. My marine aquarium water looked flawless - crystal clear. My yellow tang (zebrasoma flavescens), once light yellow, turned bright yellow. The other tankmates looked rejuvenated and lively. I immediately thought to myself, "Gee that UV sterilizer is the best thing since sliced bread. My marine fish headaches are over." Well, yes and no. Yes, the UV sterilizer has provided months of clear and somewhat safe water conditions for my marine inhabitants, but after six months I have to take apart the whole unit and change the bulb and clean it! The disease headache turned into a cleaning headache. The UV bulb loses its effectiveness -kill ratio- after six months and must be replaced. Due to its exposure to water, biological slime builds up on the bulb surface, which greatly reduces the efficiency of the unit"

[Julie]

Interesting piece, so in starting my sw tank I will consider accessing the water before the softener, but after the uv.
I think though when things are in balance in the tank it is unnecessary.  A discus tank with plants has its' own natural filters.


tx,
Julie

[Julie]

I did a search at saltcreep out of curiousity:
http://www.saltcreep.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1075&highlight=uv+sterilizer

Julie

[mseguin]

True, fish in the wild live with alot of crap in their water, but two points: #1 The "crap" in South America is what the Discus (or other fish) ahve been living with for centuries, and have adapated to, and is probably not the same as what's in local water. #2 Captive-bred fish are often susceptible to completely different ailments or cehmicals than wild fish, andare often more susceptible to illness. Like Nelson said, there's few drawbacks to them. It comes down to whether the investment is worth it to you. Personally I don't think it's needed for a Malawi tank, but that's jsut me.

[Nelson]

I look upon UV sterilizers as just one more tool in my toolbox.  Is it an indispensible tool, I wouldn't think so. Most people will never use one and have outstanding aquariums.  

There is nothing really contentious about the use of UV sterilizers.  Simply put, if you can rationalize the cost, installing it will reduce the risk of your livestock being afflicted with certain diseases, reduce the likelyhood of contracting algae bloom and will contribute favorably to the overall condition of your tank water.

[BigDaddy]

Getting back to your original question, Jeff, along with the comments of others, its really a personal choice

As mseguin mentioned, I wouldn't consider it a requirement for a cichlid tank.  And as was already mentioned, people have run non-uv tanks and never had serious issues with green water, protozoans and other things that uv kills.

If your going planted... then you might consider no.  The veredict isn't in yet, but some people say uv oxidizes fertilizers and makes them less useful/ineffective for optimal plant growth.

[Julie]

"Crap" is crap whichever way you look at it.
The south americans have an advantage because of the acidic water.


Julie

[Jeff]

I can't say I expected a reposnse like this, thanks.

What drew me to look into it was a constant cycle of fungus on my jewels. It's odd but the other species are not picking it up. It is costing me a fortune over time to treat the 125 gal.
Hospital tanks (yea yea I know), I do have one but I figure if it's in there others might have it too so I treat the whole thing.

And when I cleaned my tank last week and discovered green algae on the glass top IVO the lamps, as well as the continuing problem of brown algae on the rocks, it prompted me to search for a new solution.

Which brings me to another question. I discovered this place across the river called Aquaria Canada. I am wondering of there is a storefront I can go to or is it just another placeless internet company?

[BigDaddy]

Ivan, who runs it, will certainly let you go over to pick up...

Its not a store... but he is on the up and up.  I've dealt with them before...

[Jeff]

rockin, thanks BigDaddy

[dpatte]

i now am running 5 UV sterilizers on fresh water tanks. Turbotwist 6s on a 137 and a 150, and turbotwist 3s on my three 75s.

I dont think they are necesssary but its well documented that they are effective bacterial / protozoan / algae and virus killers. (Hospitals use UV light to sterilize medical equipment)

Most chemical mechanical and biological filters will handle a stable tank, but any new plant or fish could inadvertantly intoduce unwanted lifeforms to your tank. So I look at them as yet another layer of filtration - my antibiotic layer.

BTW - anchored algae wont be destroyed by UV sterilisers. Only items which pass through the steriliser will be killed. This also goes for nitifying bacteria which is not normally freefloating in the water column.

[charlie]

Hey guys , this is a reply i got from seachem lab. see below

The only product I would be concerned about is Flourish.  It contains some vitamins and other organic material that will be degraded by UV light.

Best Regards,
Seachem Tech Support~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Seachem Laboratories, Inc.      www.seachem.com     888-SEACHEM
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ch

   Hello, I `m currently running a UV Sterilizer in my planted tank & using your products to fertilize my tank, there is some speculation that a UV sterilizer will oxidize the  Ferts. thus making them ineffective , could you shed some light on this.