The advantages of having a UV light

[Sratchuback]

I like to discuss about the Pros and Cons of having UV lights in planted tanks. I have a 5 watt UV light on 24 hours a day. What do you guys think? Is it ok? Some say its good for fauna but bad for flora... Why? Will having a lower wattage be better than having a higher one... some say that if the wattage too high will remove trace elements... is this true?

[genes]

Well, it help me rid my tank of green water Using a 11W for my 3footer.

[Wackytpt]

Do take note by keeping your UV on for 24 hrs. UV kills the macro fertilizer that is important for the plants.

[Sratchuback]

Do you keep it on 24/7 gene?

[Sratchuback]

Hi wackytpt... I read in amatikulu aquarium plants and quote: "
A good aquarium plant fertilizer mix differs from a normal fertilizer by having very few or no macro-nutrients. The main reason for this is algae as mentioned above.
The macro-nutrients in the aquarium should come from water changes (tap water normally has all these nutrients in small amounts) and small amounts from the fish. Water changes should be done at least every 2 weeks and about 15% should be drained and replaced. This should supply sufficient macros.
The micro-nutrients are different and are normally in short supply in tap water. The other problem with the micro-nutrients is that they are very unstable in their inorganic form and normally precipitate and become unusable."


So if using the EI method, The uv light actually keeps in check the macros fert right? If i WC once weekly and dose 2x a week?

[Shadow]

Do take note by keeping your UV on for 24 hrs. UV kills the macro fertilizer that is important for the plants.

interesting, carre to explain more? does the UV somehow oxidise the macro fert and make it un-useable?

Well, it help me rid my tank of green water Using a 11W for my 3footer.

would it help to get rid of the green spot algae on the glass?

[Wackytpt]

Hi guys,

let me check it out and I get back to you. Maybe I might gotten it wrong. I was advise not to on a UV for 24 hours.

[Sratchuback]

Nope... UV dosen't get rid of GSA... wonder why... I heard that that algae is the only algae that dosen't have a remedy... True or false?

[the_r0ck]

Nope... UV dosen't get rid of GSA... wonder why... I heard that that algae is the only algae that dosen't have a remedy... True or false?

Do a manual scraping first and then follow up with an increase of your dosage of Phosphate and you will not see them after that.

[valice]

Light and phosphate is the main reason for GSA. If you have high lights, you need high phosphate.

[Sratchuback]

My lighting is like in the low range (1w/gal) and i'm dozing KNO3(3/4 tsp) KH2PO4 (1/2 tsp) and K2SO4 (1/2 tsp) and 15ml trace 2x weekly. I thought that too much phosphate will cause algae blooms...I have a 250 litre tank. My plants are mostly Moss, nanas, HC and windelovs.... Look at the pictures and give comments please... i aslo want to ask is i was to snip off the roots of the suspended nanas.... will they die? If look look at the first picture... i have a lot of bubbles on the surface from the co2 mist... is this normal?

[Sratchuback]

Oh... by the way.... Whats the deal? Is having a UV light advantages to planted tanks or not? Or its only beneficial to the fauna and bad for flora... help! I have mine on 24/7