Quality UV Sterilizer?

[xEchOx]

well cleaner? i didnt see difference in clarity, besides white worms got lost and algae didnt see since then.
tomorrow ill make pictures of inlet and outlet tubes from uv and you will understand what i am talking about

Well, not that the water isn't clear already, I've just heard people say that the water is even more clear after running a UV on the tank.

 

[squint]

It can give you that invisible water look where the water is so clear that it looks like it's not even there. A tank with clear water will often have a little haziness when viewed lengthwise. You might not even notice it but once you get an appropriately-sized UV sterilizer running, you might be surprised by how much clearer the water has become.

It's not just bacteria but also free floating algae which, in low quantities, will manifest as a whitish haze and, when out of control, as green water.

 

[xEchOx]

It can give you that invisible water look where the water is so clear that it looks like it's not even there. A tank with clear water will often have a little haziness when viewed lengthwise. You might not even notice it but once you get an appropriately-sized UV sterilizer running, you might be surprised by how much clearer the water has become.

It's not just bacteria but also free floating algae which, in low quantities, will manifest as a whitish haze and, when out of control, as green water.

Thats kinda what I've been told. I would like to experience the 'water is so clear, its not even there' look. And it would be nice knowing that any additional parasites and bacterias would be eliminated.

Does the UV have any effect on Planaria?

 

[Toby_H]

I kept tanks for many years before I ever bought a UV light... I thought I knew what "crystal clear" water was...

Now I understand that it requires a UV light to have 'truly' crystal clear water...

Does the UV have any effect on Planaria?

Yup, the UV will kill them and then the filtration will remove their lil dead bodies...

 

[squint]

The best thing about UV is that you will most likely never, ever have another ich outbreak. Still, you want to hedge your bets by choosing the right UV unit, replacing the bulb regularly, and quarantining new fish, plants, etc.

I should add that the "spiral" UV that I used was some POS from a now defunct manufacturer (Custom Sea Life?). That design is different from the Coralife Turbotwist. I still don't think it's a good idea but it's not as bad as the one I used. If you need to slow down the flowrate, it should be done at the pump or powerhead, not by introducing head to the system at the UV unit. Also, at any given point in the water's path the spirals likely shade the water from the rest of the bulb and only expose it to the part of the bulb nearest to it.

 

[IrnGynt]

I'm going to recommend THIS one. I use it and love it. Lots of good info there on UV sterilization as well.

 

[xEchOx]

Do you guys have the UV Sterilizer hooked up to a Canister filter or to a Powerhead? Any benefit to either, or does it make a difference?

 

[Toby_H]

Reposted from another thread...


You will want to thoroughly clean (mechanically filter) the water before pushing it through...

Physical particles going through a UV light pose two main concerns:
A) the "scratch resistant" quartz sleeve is just that, scratch resistant, not scratch proof. Particles can cause tiny scratches on the sleeve which will defuse the UV light/potency. Fish poo can smere onto the sleeve (especially if it's scratched) causing further blockage.
B) particles will cast shadows thus relieving anything behind it from the effects of the UV. While this may not sound like a whole lot, it could be the difference between life and death for a parasite, which could be the differnece between life and death for the fish the parasite lands (or doesn't land) on.


One of my personal favorites is using a Magnum HOT (250 gph) with a micron cartridge surrounded by filter floss (quilt batting) pushing water through a UV.

 

[xEchOx]

Reposted from another thread...


You will want to thoroughly clean (mechanically filter) the water before pushing it through...

Physical particles going through a UV light pose two main concerns:
A) the "scratch resistant" quartz sleeve is just that, scratch resistant, not scratch proof. Particles can cause tiny scratches on the sleeve which will defuse the UV light/potency. Fish poo can smere onto the sleeve (especially if it's scratched) causing further blockage.
B) particles will cast shadows thus relieving anything behind it from the effects of the UV. While this may not sound like a whole lot, it could be the difference between life and death for a parasite, which could be the differnece between life and death for the fish the parasite lands (or doesn't land) on.


One of my personal favorites is using a Magnum HOT (250 gph) with a micron cartridge surrounded by filter floss (quilt batting) pushing water through a UV.

Thanks for that NC. Sorry I'm too lazy to look around myself.