I am thinking about getting a UV filter.

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
I used to run one. I haven't really seen any cons but I'm not sure on the pros. Once I remove mine due to the bulb burning out I didn't notice a change in water quality. So i really don't know how effective it was.

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Definitely helps in water crispness by elimination of free floating algae. I do not believe they are absolutely necessary but I do run one on my two main tanks.

I've been running uv for the last few years and have noticed no negative effects. So I'm a fan of them.
 
UV has several levels of kill rate depending on how you set it up, however it will only kill what goes through it. BB is not really free swimming, so BB is not a concern. If you are getting a benefit from algae, then that would be unusual, since many people get UVs specifically to kill algae.

Pros: depending on settings (strength and flow rate), aids on removal of bacteria, algae, viruses, protozoa, parasites. Improves water clarity if algae is removed.
Cons: requires a suitable pump, and sufficient filtration so that particles don't severely reduce effectiveness, costs money, bulb needs to be replaced periodically, can't be used when certain medications are in the water; not all parasites will end up in the UV; if flow rates are below the bacteria growth rate, the UV will slow down but not control an outbreak.

It's possible to use the same pump you have (for example from a sump), but since the UV has a much slower rate, you'll want to split off the volume some way (a tee might work) on the return. UV is much more effective if the intake has good filtration. As these organism are .1 to 10+ microns, you don't want 200 micron particles going through the UV to block UV light.

Here are a couple links that might help:

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/pic/article.cfm?aid=440

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=16+2154&aid=2855
 
Drstrangelove said:
UV has several levels of kill rate depending on how you set it up, however it will only kill what goes through it. BB is not really free swimming, so BB is not a concern. If you are getting a benefit from algae, then that would be unusual, since many people get UVs specifically to kill algae.

Pros: depending on settings (strength and flow rate), aids on removal of bacteria, algae, viruses, protozoa, parasites. Improves water clarity if algae is removed.
Cons: requires a suitable pump, and sufficient filtration so that particles don't severely reduce effectiveness, costs money, bulb needs to be replaced periodically, can't be used when certain medications are in the water; not all parasites will end up in the UV; if flow rates are below the bacteria growth rate, the UV will slow down but not control an outbreak.

It's possible to use the same pump you have (for example from a sump), but since the UV has a much slower rate, you'll want to split off the volume some way (a tee might work) on the return. UV is much more effective if the intake has good filtration. As these organism are .1 to 10+ microns, you don't want 200 micron particles going through the UV to block UV light.

Here are a couple links that might help:

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/pic/article.cfm?aid=440

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=16+2154&aid=2855
Click to expand...

Awesome explination and great links.

To the OP: on a side note, make sure to shop around a bit when picking up a UV, there are plenty to choose from. My best piece of advice on the subject would be to make sure to pick up a model that doesn't require proprietary bulbs (ie: green killing machine). If you pick something up like say a turbo twist, then buying bulbs will be cheaper down the road when you need to replace them.
 
had mine for years, very happy with it. Purchased it to cure an algae bloom from an automatic feeder that went crazy during a week long vacation. I hooked mine on the outlet from the smallest canister filter and hooked it up to a timer for a few hours a day. Since the bulbs lose their UV effectiveness over time, I change mine once every 4-6 months. Noticing the similarity of the bulbs at my aunts salon, I discovered that the 9w UV sterilizer bulbs are the exact same as the ones the manicurists use in their nail curing boxes (stocks are supplied at local beauty supply shops) bigger score as you can purchase them for $6 each.

My 2 cents..
Pros: clean crisp water, peace of mind in killing harmful bacteria and other parasites = healthier fishies
cons: having to change the bulb and cleaning the glass cover when pulling it apart is kind of a PITA when it's mounted to a filter.. but at least it's only twice a year.

Mike
 
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