Is a UV necessary??

[rallysman]

Could you explain your experience a little so we might hav an idea of what didn't work for you?

I used one for about 6 months. The tank I had it on had multiple deaths that I just couldn't figure out. After I removed it things went back to normal. It seems odd because I would have thought that when I stopped using it I would see the problems increase (if it was an immunity problem). The issue continued for a while after I took it off, but it eventually evened out and I haven't had a problem since. I had a pair of nics die, a ray died, and fungus took over a few fish (they eventually pulled through). every other tank in the house was fine, it was just the tank with UV that gave me problems. I did it as a preventive measure and it seemed to make things worse.

 

[Merbeast]

Without tests, your experience doesn't mean much. There could have been any number of other problems causing the die-off.

 

[rallysman]

Without tests, your experience doesn't mean much. There could have been any number of other problems causing the die-off.

Exactly. That's why I didn't post it to begin with. I'm just posting my suspicion and the fact that I've never had a problem without it, but did have a problem with it. Coincidence? Perhaps. It's still not worth the risk. "If it ain't broke............"

 

[David R]

I added one to my tank with clown loaches and uarus to help with a bad outbreak of whitespot, which the meds didn't seem to be dealing with. It soon cleared up after adding the UV, so I'm a believer. Obviously they need to be sized right for the tank, and have the correct flow. But given how hard it is to replace big clowns I decided it was a worth while investment. I'm going to get one for my new 160g as soon as I can afford it.

 

[benzjamin13]

I know some people will use it on their Saltwater tanks. Don't know the specific use in a Salt tank though. As for freshwater, I don't think it's necessary. It's just to clear up algae, which there are other options.

 

[aquatic_wonders]

maybe just use it when there's an outbreak.

 

[David R]

It's just to clear up algae, which there are other options.

Not always, the smller ones are good for killing algae, but stronger ones will kill things like whitespot tomites and other parasites in the water. The guy at the LFS said a rough guide is to grop a 0 off the end of the litres for the pond ones if you want it to kill bacteria as well as algae, so I'm running a 3000L pond UVF on my 300L tank. Can't remember the actual wattage of the bulb though.

 

[pacu mom]

Our entire outside wall is composed of 8 foot picture windows. With two additional large skylights in our living room, our tank is in continuous daylight. We soon developed a green water problem.

The 40 Watt UV sterilizer we added quickly took care of things.

Our big boys on a frequent and regular basis, slam into the tank lids. They are always cut and scraped up. We don't even worry about them any more...they heal very quickly.

I'm a believer.

 

[justin guest]

BUT I think it lowers a fish's immune system. Never getting sick causes the body to because less capable of ridding itself of disease. When/if a fish does get sick they are more likely to succumb. I prevent disease in my tanks with proper husbandry. Like Qt'ing a fish for no less than 9 weeks in my hospitals, before adding them to a population. I also change water no matter what. Even if my nitrates are below 15 I still change water...I do get diseases, but I medicate and it gets better, and/or goes away...I hope this helps.

I think your views on good husbandry are great but if I´m able to reduce medication usage (another form of sterilization if only short term) then I´m for a UV. I don´t see them as necessary though, just a really good addition to a good filter system.
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[justin guest]

I used one for about 6 months. The tank I had it on had multiple deaths that I just couldn't figure out. After I removed it things went back to normal. It seems odd because I would have thought that when I stopped using it I would see the problems increase (if it was an immunity problem). The issue continued for a while after I took it off, but it eventually evened out and I haven't had a problem since. I had a pair of nics die, a ray died, and fungus took over a few fish (they eventually pulled through). every other tank in the house was fine, it was just the tank with UV that gave me problems. I did it as a preventive measure and it seemed to make things worse.

One reason for your problems may have been uneven sterilization regarding which microbes were killed. For instance you mention problems with fungus. Well most types of fungus wont be harmed by a UV as much as a lot of bacteria species if the lamp flow rates are a bit too quick. Just a thought
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