Pond uv for aquarium
- Thread starter jft
- Start date
Any UV is effective based on wattage and flow rate. For any given wattage the slower flow will kill more (as in parasites and bacteria as opposed to just algae). It should be fine.
What problems are you having?
What problems are you having?
Not having any problems but installed a green killing machine on a tank and now am sold on Uv as a help to all aquarists after not using for years I would like to put a Uv on my 180 livebearer tank where some fish died afetr introducing to tank despite mega filtration and excellent water parameters, as a precaution it would help.
It sounds like you want it to help prevent disease, so you would want one with enough wattage and low enough flow to kill pathogens, not just algae or even just bacteria.
What are the water parameters? I assume it is cycled so I am mainly concerned about nitrate concentration.
What is your water change schedule?
IME new fish may die. I don't think a UV will prevent that, but if you have the money for it go for it, it won't hurt. I have also found that fancier fish are more sensitive, so if you are spending money on the newest varieties of livebearers you may have problems from time to time getting them to settle in.
How fast did the fish die? If it was within a few days with no signs of illness it was probably stress in which case the UV would not have helped.
What are the water parameters? I assume it is cycled so I am mainly concerned about nitrate concentration.
What is your water change schedule?
IME new fish may die. I don't think a UV will prevent that, but if you have the money for it go for it, it won't hurt. I have also found that fancier fish are more sensitive, so if you are spending money on the newest varieties of livebearers you may have problems from time to time getting them to settle in.
How fast did the fish die? If it was within a few days with no signs of illness it was probably stress in which case the UV would not have helped.
Thanks fish are in tank w eheim filters 2217 and sump w trickle portion polyfilters and purigen keep water polished, all replacement water is passed thru a ro/di unit with salt added every two weeks for water changes, water is 74 degrees and prime is added after water change as well as a boost of stability.
Stability and salt aren't needed on a regular basis. IMO a UV can only help, I don't see any downsides as long as you don't mind spending a tiny bit more on electricity. 
livebearers only and I do not add salt only on initial setup to help w osmosis and slime coat, stabilty was added initailly and afte water changes i turn off uv for a few days and add stabilty at half dosing if i add fish . 74 in a stable room temp seems right warmer just speeds evaporation and metabolism.
You said 'with salt added every two weeks with water changes', but you only added it once when you first set up the tank?
Why are you using RO water?
Why are you using RO water?
Ro/di water to lower silicates , nitrates and PO4 I live in Farm country worried about runoff and never had a problem w My reef tanks so I believe that si the way to go start w pure water and filter like crazy, 40 yrs in the hobby I am a true believer I just think the fish are not as healthy as they were bought at Petsmart the only reliable source where I live, mailorder would be expensive and I would not be able to select the fish from experience.