Uv Steriliser

[NeonTetra97]

Hi everyone!
 
I have been reading about these 'magical' devices on the interent, I must admit they do sound pretty awesome! I have a couple of questions: Have any of you ever used or are currently using one? If you are then what are they like, and what made you get one? Was it algae problems or to kill bacteria and parasites? Secondly if I bought one like this then how would I connect it to my tank? Anyway it would be great to hear your thoughts!
 
Thank you

 

[DrRob]

Some like them, so don't.
 
They have pros and cons. They kill parasites and nasties and can help with certain algaes, but they also kill good microflora and fauna that form part of a mature tank's ecosystem.
 
Their use has seen an upsurge recently as they're more and more incorporated into a lot of filters.
 
Worth remembering that the ones for algae in ponds and the ones for sterilisation in tanks require different set ups entirely, and they're not a lot of use if the flow rate is wrong.
 
Personally, I'd rather spend the money (and electricity cost) on a better filter or tank rather than a UV, but I can see why people use them.
 
Marine tanks, by the way, have a totally different set of rules when it comes to things like this, so if you're thinking marine then there are different things to consider.

 

[NeonTetra97]

Thanks DrRob, im intrigued by these things and will look into it more but from what I have heard so far and as you say it seems that money could be spent better elsewhere. 

 

[TwoTankAmin]

I have one. It is used for special situations involving fish from very acid waters. In such water there are few bacteria, so fish have suppressed immune systems. When brought in from the wild putting them into an established tank will almost always kill them fast. So I use the UV when getting a tank ready to receive such fish and then after they arrive ofr the next 4-6 weeks. However, I gradually acclimate them up in pH and onto mostly tap water mixed with ro/di water.
 
Use of UV is more common with sw rather than fw keepers.
 
Here is a great article which should help you understand UV as well as knowing what to buy. It did for me and is the site where i bought my unit. Make sure you understand dwell time and flow rates.
 
http/americanaquariumproducts.com/AquariumUVSterilization.html

 

[baker360360]

mine is built into the filter. personally don't think it does any thing out standing I still will get algae if I leave lights on too long and still get bacterial blooms if overfeeding or something goes tits up. as mentioned the money would be better served else where.

 

[TwoTankAmin]

Read the article to which I linked. It will give you the facts vs anecdotal information. But here is a quick summary for what UV can do. It is from the article linked in my first post at http/americanaquariumproducts.com/AquariumUVSterilization.html
 
By manipulating the watts of the UV bulb, the rate of flow (gph) through the unit and the frequency of passing the entire volume of water through the unit, one will get vadious levels of sterilization. The more things one wishes to kill, the more watts used, the longer the dwell time of the water being exposed to the UV light and the more frequent the turnover of the entire volume should be.
 
UV-C Use: Clarification;
(Green water control; Aquarium/Pond)
The most popular application for ponds
Flow Rate (generalized)
40-50 gph per watt
(50-60 gph High Exposure/Dwell UV or even 70+ gph with Super High Exposure Pro Clear UV30)
Turnover Rate
Once per 2-3 hours
 
 
UV-C Use: Level One Sterilization
(Bacteria, some Virus)
The most common & recommended aquarium application
Flow Rate (generalized)
20-30 gph per watt
(30-35 gph High Exposure/Dwell UV)
Turnover Rate
1.5 times per hour
 
UV-C Use: Level Two Sterilization
(Parasites, “Stubborn” Viruses; Recommended for Swimming Pools)
Flow Rate (generalized)
Under 8 gph per watt
(8-12 gph High Exposure/Dwell UV)
Turnover Rate
3 to 4 times per hour
 
Because I only use my unit on smaller Q type tanks, I have a Terminator. My size is no longer made. I got a 5 watt because the next size up at the time was out of stock and budget considerations put the next one up the line out of my price range. I use a 110 gph powerhead with it.

 

[KirkyArcher]

Lots of folk buy UV sterilisers as a method of controlling algae and to prevent some diseases, but unfortunately they have minimum effect because the lamps wattage is insufficient because the water passing by them is going to fast so any pathogens, algae spores, whatever won't get completely killed off, Take for example the V2 sterilisers from TMC the "Vecton 200" says it's suitable for a 200 litre aquarium but that is providing the filtration rate no greater than 680 litres per hour, most people do select a filtration unit for their 200 litre aquarium that well exceeds this litres per hour rating usually by and upwards of an extra 200 litres per hour. So my advice would be to go for a bigger unit than just the tank capacity recommendation

 

[DrRob]

You can also play with pipework to control the flow through the UV and have the rest of the filtration going down a separate pipe. Most unit's I've seen though that have been set up with a fair amount of thought behind them are on a separate loop.

 

[NeonTetra97]

Thanks everyone, some very interesting information there! Oh and that was a great page you found TwoTankAmin. But from what I found out on other sites and from what you all have said they seem like an expensive luxury that might be overkill for some situations I don't really have an algae problem I was only interested in the disease control side of UV. It looks like getting a unit powerful enough for this might be pretty costly, I could justify it If I kept really rare or expensive fish, but I don't  (yet )

 

[DrRob]

You're pretty much where most of us end up. We can see what it does, but when faced with a better filter or a filter and a UV unit, we spend the money on filters or lights, or, of course, fish.