Re: Use of UV Light

[williamng]

Hi

I would like to know how much UV light is needed for a 4 ft tank.

1) How many watts?
2) How long do I need to keep the UV light on?

Thanks!

[williamng]

Hi

I would like to know how much UV light is needed for a 4 ft tank.

1) How many watts?
2) How long do I need to keep the UV light on?

Thanks!

[williamng]

Hi

I would like to know how much UV light is needed for a 4 ft tank.

1) How many watts?
2) How long do I need to keep the UV light on?

Thanks!

[williamng]

Hi

I would like to know how much UV light is needed for a 4 ft tank.

1) How many watts?
2) How long do I need to keep the UV light on?

Thanks!

[Vican]

UV Filters have different capacities, so just go to the shop and look for the correct size for your tank.

As to the duration of the UV, what are you using the filter for? Clearing green water? Have a sterile environment?

For green water, turn it on till the water clears.
For other uses, generally people turn the filter on for 8-24hrs.
Different ppl have different beliefs

[budak]

what are you using the UV light for????

[williamng]

I am using it for killing algae, make the water clear

[Simon]

the only algae UV can kill off is green water,
other then that, I do not see any effects done
to other algae

[budak]

UV light will kill single-cell organisms, i.e. free-floating algae in green water or bacteria in cloudy water. The standatd UV installation where tank water is circulated through a UV unit works only with the bugs that flow right under the UV light.
However, if you apply UV light (which is not visible to human eyes) directly to the tank, it will probably kill all algae within, and everything else as well.

[loupgarou]

hmm: maybe I should diy a reflector cone/UV torch, shine it at spot algae on anubias, ferns and on gravel..heh..

you know aquarium also got laser now? (lol, I think its those laser penlights...)

maybe a uv laser for BBA zapping (patent pending....lol)

[David]

hiya

I would really not encourage Diying a UV filter as the light rays can damage your eyes if not concealed properly. UV is used as a preventive measure for green algae and some fish dieases but it is not a sure thing.

BBA, BGA are not affected by such treatment. you also need to know that UV also distroys the fertilisers you place in so you really need to regulate your fertilisation timing whereby you maximise your UV lights off timing.

It is best to understand water chemistry and enviromental balance of a closed ecology to control algae growth. There are also plants that can assist you in algae control by removing excess elements in your water column.

The other lazy way is to depend on barley straw.

[vinz]

David,

You're using barley straws? Last time I did a calculation based on info from here, it was quite expensive.

[David]

yes i did vinz.....it was purely out of curiousity as i was quite sceptical about its peformance.....however it proved to be quite effective but cost wise its another question.

[williamng]

I notice that there are some brown algae on my plants. How am I going to clear them?

[vinz]

William,

For brown algae, get otos.