UV Sterilizer (Angel or Devil)?

[raynoryeo]

Hi AQ members!

As we all know UV sterilisers are used to maintain a very beautiful crystal clear water for us to enjoy the scape and scenes. However, according to a research that I have done, it does seem to bring harm to the aquarium livestock as well as plants as UV kills ALL BACTERIA. Hence, I'm really confused at the fact and myths that has been brought up for installing the UV steriliser. Would anyone have any feedback regarding this?

[BFG]

You could control or limit the devastating effect of the uv. Use those inline type uv equipment. But on hindsight, very few aquarist are using uv equipment though. Myself, I have not tried using it as I monitor my electrical usage and tried keeping it as low as possible.

[raynoryeo]

I've resorted to use the inline UV sterilizer as my tank is beside the window and there's no other place in my house for options.

As a result... I'm tackling more of greenwater syndrome due to the crazy weather this year.


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[Shadow]

If you are talking about inline UV sterilizer, it only kill bacteria or anything that pass through them, the bacteria at soil and filter media is not effected. UV also effect the chelated iron. Normally in planted tank people turn on UV sterilizer for short period of time (couple of days) to tackle bacteria bloom and green water.

[raynoryeo]

Thanks for the info shadow... I'll probably set a timer for both the UV and the lightset. It's really disheartening to see greenwater every now and then... Worse still it affects the HC growth that I'm most concern about.


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[BluBlur]

I have a problem of green water as the tanks are near the window, so the UV helps greatly. So far I've not seen any negative effects of the UV sterilizer on livestock, but for flora/ferts I'm not so sure yet.

I have the Eheim ReeflexUV 350 and 500s connected to a dedicated timer, both work for 3-4 hours during dark hours.

[raynoryeo]

I've read up on the Eheim UV, does it really work as to what they claim? As in I'm using the Aquazonic UV sterilizer and apparently my flow rate has been reduced quite drastically.

Where did you get it? I'm interested if the UV works as to what EHEIM claims it does.


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[BFG]

It will take time to clear the bacteria bloom.

[Suzerolt]

I think UV effectiveness is very much a function of flow rate & wattage. Perhaps less on brand.

For me, I have a splitter on the outlet of my canister filter.
1) One path goes straight back into the tank.
2) Another path goes into the inline UV filter. I have a small tap just before the UV filter to control flow rate.

In this way, when the UV is really not needed after it clears up, close the tap going into the UV filter (or keep it low) so that you achieve 'max flow rate' going back into the tank again.

[raynoryeo]

Anyone knows how much or probably where can I find the Eheim Reeflex 350? It's such a poison to experiment if it really doesn't affect the flow rate.


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[Shadow]

It does. The effectiveness is depend on how long the water in contact with the UV light. If the flowrate too fast then it wont kill anything. You can find the recommendation flowrate on the box.

[raynoryeo]

I have a problem of green water as the tanks are near the window, so the UV helps greatly. So far I've not seen any negative effects of the UV sterilizer on livestock, but for flora/ferts I'm not so sure yet.

I have the Eheim ReeflexUV 350 and 500s connected to a dedicated timer, both work for 3-4 hours during dark hours.

Which filter are you using? I noticed that the UV by eheim can only be used with minimum 200litres/hour?


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[Suzerolt]

I don't believe it states that the minimum flow rate is 200 L/hr.

I believe the specifications meant that the maximum flow rate for effective germicidal sterilization is 200L/hr. The maximum flow rate for algae removal is 400L/hr.
Literature states that for germicidal sterilization, turn over rate should be ~ 1.5x tank volume per hour. For algae removal, 2-3x tank volume per hour.
For your tank size, a 9W or 11W should suffice.

[BluBlur]

Which filter are you using? I noticed that the UV by eheim can only be used with minimum 200litres/hour?


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I have 2 Eheim UVs. The 350 is paired with Ecco pro 130 (~500l/hr), 500 paired with Professionel 250 (~950l/hr). For the latter, there is also a Sera CO2 reactor inline.

Both are active only 4 hours a day during dark hours.

The tank with 350 had green water due to the positioning in the room, so far this regime works well to keep the green water away. The tank with 500 is heavily planted and installed since commissioning, have not seen any noticeable issues using it.

Just for your note, the 500 uses the larger 16/22mm tubing. C328, NA and NTA carries both models. But check the price out before committing.

[raynoryeo]

I have 2 Eheim UVs. The 350 is paired with Ecco pro 130 (~500l/hr), 500 paired with Professionel 250 (~950l/hr). For the latter, there is also a Sera CO2 reactor inline.

Both are active only 4 hours a day during dark hours.

The tank with 350 had green water due to the positioning in the room, so far this regime works well to keep the green water away. The tank with 500 is heavily planted and installed since commissioning, have not seen any noticeable issues using it.

Just for your note, the 500 uses the larger 16/22mm tubing. C328, NA and NTA carries both models. But check the price out before committing.

Thank you very much BluBlur. I'm definitely considering the Eheim UVs due to the fact that it's ability to provide the tank an undistracted flow.

[MCE]

I use multi UV 3watts on the outflow pipe, it consumes very little power and is independent of ext filter type.
Hated the Ick/velvet ( treatment is messy esp plants& invertebrates) so use UV to run 24/7 to kill off those protozoan while nitrifying bacteria in the filter are not affected.

Now looking for an Internal filter with integrated UV and bio/chem/physical media. It must be super silent. Any recommendations?


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[MCE]

http://www.aquael.com/en/products/ak...ylizatory-uv-c


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[Urban Aquaria]

Now looking for an Internal filter with integrated UV and bio/chem/physical media. It must be super silent. Any recommendations?

I've seen hang-on filters with UV module (saw at Seaview), maybe can consider those. They would be much easier to maintain and can be removed/moved around to different tanks if required.

[jiajuen900]

Bringing up an old thread here

Have UV Sterilizers been proven to have an effect on Ich? Particularly the free swimming stage?

[Urban Aquaria]

Bringing up an old thread here

Have UV Sterilizers been proven to have an effect on Ich? Particularly the free swimming stage?

UV sterilizers can help kill off some of the hatched free swimming theronts... but unlike bacteria or algae, ich theronts are able to swim, so they can dwell in low flow areas or deadspots and wait for potential host fishes to infect.

You'll still need to use other tank-wide treatments in tandem to deal with the ich infection.