UV Lights
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Just found this: “A UV sterilizer is used to control infections by stopping the spread of microorganisms from one fish/coral/invertebrate to another through the water. ... The UV light has no residual effect and will not kill organisms attached to fish (e.g., adult stage of ich) or rocks (e.g., algae).”
www.animalplanet.com
So no, a UV light doesn’t actually get rid of it. (It says adult stage, so it may kill younger ich)
UV Sterilizers Control Bacteria and Algae
A fish and aquarium resource in partnership with Drs. Foster and Smith.
So no, a UV light doesn’t actually get rid of it. (It says adult stage, so it may kill younger ich)
You don't want UV light in the tank because it can harm the fish.
UV light units are normally fitted to the outlet of a power filter and the filtered water passes through a tube that has UV light.
UV light will kill the free swimming white spot parasites if the parasites are exposed to the light for long enough. However, it won't kill all the free swimming parasites because they won't all pass through it.
UV lights won't affect the white spot parasites on the fish or substrate.
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If you still have white spot problems, use copper or move the fish into a clean container each day for 1-2 weeks.
UV light units are normally fitted to the outlet of a power filter and the filtered water passes through a tube that has UV light.
UV light will kill the free swimming white spot parasites if the parasites are exposed to the light for long enough. However, it won't kill all the free swimming parasites because they won't all pass through it.
UV lights won't affect the white spot parasites on the fish or substrate.
--------------------
If you still have white spot problems, use copper or move the fish into a clean container each day for 1-2 weeks.
UV is next to useless in a freshwater tank. It can help with green water caused by unicellular algae. But when it comes to parasites, while it might catch very few, most will get around it by which I mean they willnot be in water passing through it.
In order for UV to work, all the water in the tank must pass through the light. That in itself is not easy to achieve. The only way to do this is to have tank "A" with water moving out of it through the UV and into tank "B".
But even if it were, somehow possible to get the water through the UV without mixing, things like parasites and algae (normal) attach to objects, they do not remain swimming in the water. So taking ich for example, when the cyst ruptures releasing the hundreds of parasites, many of them will readily find a host fish and attach to it, never going anywhere near the UV. When they drop off the fish, they fall to the substrate or on objects. None of these, or very few, ever pass through the UV.
In order for UV to work, all the water in the tank must pass through the light. That in itself is not easy to achieve. The only way to do this is to have tank "A" with water moving out of it through the UV and into tank "B".
But even if it were, somehow possible to get the water through the UV without mixing, things like parasites and algae (normal) attach to objects, they do not remain swimming in the water. So taking ich for example, when the cyst ruptures releasing the hundreds of parasites, many of them will readily find a host fish and attach to it, never going anywhere near the UV. When they drop off the fish, they fall to the substrate or on objects. None of these, or very few, ever pass through the UV.
Short answer is no.
There is a difference between UV sterilisers and clarifiers. If you ignore the marketing packaging the easiest way to tell is to look at the price tag. If it makes your eyes water its a true steriliser. For it to work you would have to guarantee that 100% of your water passes through it quickly enough that what's in the rest of the tank can't multiply. Can't be done in a tank.
There is a difference between UV sterilisers and clarifiers. If you ignore the marketing packaging the easiest way to tell is to look at the price tag. If it makes your eyes water its a true steriliser. For it to work you would have to guarantee that 100% of your water passes through it quickly enough that what's in the rest of the tank can't multiply. Can't be done in a tank.
OP
OP
Thanks guys. I’m still on vacation so not sure what my ich situation is. Pet sitter said no dead fish. I left temp at 86F with aquarium salt at 1/2 dose for cories. Just looking at options. 
Enjoy your vacation. Praying that nothing goes wrong while you are away.Thanks guys. I’m still on vacation so not sure what my ich situation is. Pet sitter said no dead fish. I left temp at 86F with aquarium salt at 1/2 dose for cories. Just looking at options.
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