Green Water

[Rodders]

So I've battled diatoms and green hair algea and thats all fine.
But now my waters green, yummy yummy.

So I bought a UV steriliser to kill the horrible stuff off!!! B)
I bought it from Maidenhead aquatics and they matched the online price, so instead of £125 RRP, I got it for £85. Aquatics online did it for £80 + £5 P&P. Good of them I think

Anyway, here it is.
A Vectom 25W UV steriliser. Just about big enough for my tank. Should just be pumping the tank volume 3 times a hour.

Inplace, cover off so you can see the insides.
You all know how they work.

Hosetail glow from the UV light so you know they bulbs working B) B)

Anyone know how long it should take for any effect??

 

[zig]

I think you just run it for 12-24 hours and you should see some results.

 

[Jen]

The UV sterilizer will only be a temp fix. In a planted tank you shouldnt leave it on all the time as it will eliminate the nutrients from the water that the plants need. I had bad green water - I mean BAD. I couldn't see 2 inches into the tank. The only thing that got it under control was reducing my photo period and cutting the wattage down from 2.4 to 1.2 for 2 weeks. Once teh green was gone, I slowly increased the lights to normal and started dosing the nutrients I was lacking... the NO3 and PO4.

 

[paulioo]

Yeah you'll be amazed at the results that occur when using these things. Usually greenwater has completely gone by 3 days. I bought one a while back after I got greenwater and I was amazed at how effective it is.

It also seems to make the water clearer for some reason, or maybe its just my imagination

I tried everything to get rid of greenwater, blackouts, reduced lighting, nutrient control etc... UV steriliser is the ONLY way in my opinion. They also some in handy for preventing ich and other diseases when buying new fish so its money well spent.

Paul.

 

[Rodders]

The UV sterilizer will only be a temp fix. In a planted tank you shouldnt leave it on all the time as it will eliminate the nutrients from the water that the plants need. I had bad green water - I mean BAD. I couldn't see 2 inches into the tank. The only thing that got it under control was reducing my photo period and cutting the wattage down from 2.4 to 1.2 for 2 weeks. Once teh green was gone, I slowly increased the lights to normal and started dosing the nutrients I was lacking... the NO3 and PO4.

It controlls bacteria, mould, yeast and pathogens. Dont think plant nutrients come under this. Plant nutrients arnt cells (organisms), and the UV light halts cell growth. The nutrients arnt cells that grow so shouldnt effect them in anyway and should be fine to run 24/7.
Thats what I recon anyway

 

[Rodders]

One day gone and its cleared a bit.
Guess its gonna take a while on a tank this size.

 

[anvil63]

UV light will destroy some nutrients. It will not knock out K, NO3, PO4. It will definitely degrade vitamins and and most antibiotics/antifungals.

 

[Jen]

Good to know. I have been mis-imformed then.

 

[BLASK]

hey rodders it would be cool if you took pics each day to see the progress of the uv killing the green.

mine is coming on wednesday so I will take pics of my progress.

B)

 

[Rodders]

Ill take a pic tonight for you

 

[Rodders]

This is 2 days of running. I didnt take one after one day. But you can see its A LOT better!!!!!!