good and bad points of UV filters?

[davidefc]

i have a uv external filter (aqua one Aquis 2450 uv-c) with my 120g with a gph of just under 400 and iam getting an internal fluval 4 with a gph of 200 so thats 600gph enough? tha tank is not set up yet.
problem is that i do not no what to do with the media? do i need to clean or get new media stones. the filter was cycled but i cracked the tank and the BB would have died its been about 1week.
also is it good having uv filter in a fw tank with med-big ca cichlids?
also on info on the filter or tips on filtration iam a NOOB
i would post pics but when it says please wait it just looses contection but iam still on internet....can i email anyone with the pics?

 

[davidefc]

bump....wow

 

[bigcichntwisted]

i have a uv external filter (aqua one Aquis 2450 uv-c) with my 120g with a gph of just under 400 and iam getting an internal fluval 4 with a gph of 200 so thats 600gph enough? tha tank is not set up yet.
problem is that i do not no what to do with the media? do i need to clean or get new media stones. the filter was cycled but i cracked the tank and the BB would have died its been about 1week.
also is it good having uv filter in a fw tank with med-big ca cichlids?
also on info on the filter or tips on filtration iam a NOOB
i would post pics but when it says please wait it just looses contection but iam still on internet....can i email anyone with the pics?

General rule of thumb is 3-5 times gph flow rate as the tank size i.e. 120 gal would need at least 360-600 gph filtration flow. However a lot of us shoot for 5-7 times gph or more. Depending on what you will be keeping 600 may be enough or you may need a bit more.

Your can use the old bio media just clean it well, don't need new, unless you need more for a greater bio load. If the media had water running thru it & never dried then you could still consider it seeded, but if the stones have just sat then you'll need to reseed them. Make sense, hope so.

There is great debate about the use of UVS, bttm line they are not a must have, but some people seem to need them for algae/clarity prob's & for use against parasites, but it is very debatable as to rather the use of a UVS can be avoided thru proper care, maintenance & quarantining. 25+ yr's keeping fish, 30+ tank's, many different types of fish & I have yet to use a UVS & there are many like me "old school", LOL. I'm sure there were times that I could have used 1, but managed not to thru further understanding & adjustments to my Ecosys's. Chk the ingredients of your fish food, if not feeders, make sure you're not giving them anything they don't need, this can lead to "filtration" prob. i.e. build up of phosphates causing excessive algae. FW lighting does not need to be all day & this can also lead to excessive algae. The strength of your lighting is also very relative to excessive algae.

Filtration tip's, well personally, I go max, along w/ max aeration, but that's not for everyone. Currently my African cich tank looks like a reef tank/surf zone, bubbles blowin & major flow (about 8x's gph filtration), swim or die, LOL. Keep your maintenance up on your filter's, use your tank water to rise them, only vacuum your substrate 1/3 each water change & you should be good.

Cheers mate

 

[Nic]

only downfall to a uv sterilizer is buying a new bulb every year

 

[davidefc]

what bulb? its built in....i didnt realy want uv as its in my bedroom(is that a concern or problem) but i was that or a crappy filter and i dont have to use the UV as the is a switch and its powerer when turned off.
the media is 4 layers with plastic things at the bottom of 2-3layers with a foam over it. do i have to change the pads or chips of plasic every now and then or can i just wash them?
tanks dave

 

[Brent]

i have been useing uv sterilizers for years
i think they work well and help keep your water nice and clear

 

[Mystix212]

You'd need 10 watts of UV per 1000 gallons of pond. So in a 120, you might need a 5 watt UV. Bulbs need replacing every 6-12 months and they arent the cheapest of things. Yet these UV's help kill parasites, floating algae, and diseases in the water.

 

[davidefc]

bad thing is that its huge and its in my bedroom, so if anyone wants to swap my uv for a filter rated for 120 gallon US pm me(north west or postage...UK)

 

[Buckdog]

I have a 120G and I use my UV more as a convenience rather than a necessity.
My work schedule is bad so the UV helps in the "peace of mind" department. It runs on a timer about four times a week.

 

[moneygetter1]

do i have to change the pads or chips of plasic every now and then or can i just wash them?

The pads can be rinsed a few times in tank water till they start to break down & must be changed. The 'chips of plastic' you rinse & never change. As fo the UV bulb, you can extend the life a bit if you don't run it 24hrs a day. (maybe 18/24mo. depending on usage.) After that it must be replaced cause it loses it's effective ability to destroy parasites, algae ect. "T"