uv light over the tank

[One_Trick_Pony]

i have been advised this might help to clear up my green water problem in the same way as a uv sterilisoer, which seems a good idea, but is it going to halmful to my fish and pl;ants??

otp

 

[andywg]

If it is a UV in the form of a sterilisation lamp then it is likely to seriously affect your fish and (more particuliarly) the beneficial bacteria in the tank. UV sterilisers work by mutating (or destroying, forget now) the RNA of the individual cells to destroy them and stop them replicating. If you zapped this at fish and plants for a continued time it is likely to do some bad damage (like sitting under a tanning lamp 24/7...)

If it is an old disco black light then I have read it will promote algae (am yet to see evidence of this).

If you want to use a steriliser it should be one like the Vectons (can get them pretty cheap on ebay) where the water is pumped through a sleeve and it kills pathogens. Though even this is not trully effective against algae (but does help a lot against ICH).

Best thing to do is make a detailed analysis of the algae (how it looks where it grows and such like) and post in the planted section. Those boys should then be able to tell you what needs to be changed to prevent it growing.

Common causes of algae in a tank are:

Too much light without enough Carbon Dioxide (consider CO2 injection)

Too much phosphates (consider something like Rowaphos to get rid of the excess phosphate)

Lack of macro or micro nutrients (once you know which one it is then you can supplement it - best to ask in planted as my knowledge is nowhere near as extensive as theirs).

HIH and Good luck

Andy

 

[jimbooo]

hi OTP, andy's right. no need to over complicate things. take a look at GF225's pinned topic on algae in planted section.

there will be a simple explination all you need to do is find it.

James

 

[One_Trick_Pony]

ok mate cheers!

 

[nc_nutcase]

I had a 20 W UV light on my 125 Gal tank for quite some time and never saw any algae in it....

I removed the 20W UV to put it on a larger set up and ran the 125 without it for about a month... it quickly became overrun with hair like algae (probably hair algae, but I'm not sure, as I don't know one algae from another)...

I recently added a 9W twisting UV light and the algae growth is quickly receding...

I'm not going to try to explain some elaborate philosophy behind how and why the UV does or does not work... but I can attest that they make a HUGE difference and will be used on all my large set ups.

Well worth the money.

 

[One_Trick_Pony]

are you talking some kind of streliser, or a simply uv tube nutcase?

 

[Iron Man]

You can also use barley straw extract like pond keepers use or a uv sterilizer....I've read countless times where it cleared up everything in a matter of hours.

good luck

 

[Paul_MTS]

I had a 20 W UV light on my 125 Gal tank for quite some time and never saw any algae in it....

I removed the 20W UV to put it on a larger set up and ran the 125 without it for about a month... it quickly became overrun with hair like algae (probably hair algae, but I'm not sure, as I don't know one algae from another)...

I recently added a 9W twisting UV light and the algae growth is quickly receding...

I'm not going to try to explain some elaborate philosophy behind how and why the UV does or does not work... but I can attest that they make a HUGE difference and will be used on all my large set ups.

Well worth the money.

what type of UV light is this?

it's UV-C then take it out, this stuff damages your vision.

UV-B and UV-A are used to replicate the sun in reptile enclosors so there safe, not sure on there effects on algae tho