Uv Bulb, Should I Use It?

[creg]

my aps filter just arrived and has a small uv bulb attached, should i use it or is it harmful to a planted aquarium?

 

[Bazza57]

I should think it is OK to use with planted aquaria.
The main function of the UV light is to destroy harmful bacteria, if you are dosing the tank it may cancel any treatment out. The best way to feed your plants rather than dosing, would be substrate pellets such as tetra's Crypto & or Laterit pellets.

 

[aaronnorth]

I should think it is OK to use with planted aquaria.
The main function of the UV light is to destroy harmful bacteria, if you are dosing the tank it may cancel any treatment out. The best way to feed your plants rather than dosing, would be substrate pellets such as tetra's Crypto & or Laterit pellets.

You are correct in saying it destroys bacteria (harmful or not), but you also make it sound as though it kills the nutrients we dose which cannot be killed as they are not living...
It can however break down the chelators but tbh it wont have a detrimental effect. I have used one in the past but mine was an internal model so I ended up taking it out to make it look neater.

Some argue that it can weaken your fish, as their immune system is not exposed to the organisms it usually is so it becomes adapted to the clean water. So if the fish do become exposed to a disease then they are much more suceptible.

It will kill algae spores floating around aswell which is helpful, but if algae is already established in the tank it wont have any effect.

It isnt harmful, but IMO it doesnt have any major advantages either
Thanks, Aaron

 

[creg]

did some googling it seems pretty harmless so im using it, wont replace the bulb when it goes though i dont think