UV light and algae?

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WalksWIthGobies

WalksWIthGobies

Jack Dempsey
MFK Member
Feb 19, 2018
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ames,iowa
My new filter is the first one I've had with a UV component. I understand the bulb has to be replaced about every 6 months and is very expensive. I've read UV light will help algae but algae is beginning to grow on my old decorations again so I'm wondering how effective the light chamber really is with algae. If it's not so much I'll likely turn it off unless I have a bacterial bloom.
 
UV has an effect on free floating algae spores that pass thru the unit, the type of algae that grows on surfaces is not going to be effected.
Especially older decor that already has algae "spores" within the micro pores and fissures (even the glass sides).
It is the same with bacteria and other parasites, if they do not pass thru the unit, they are unaffected.
 
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Hello; First let me say I have not used such a light so cannot report from experience. I post in the thread in hopes of learning about the lights. That said I question how effective UV light can be for algae control. First is I have thought the UV bulb is hidden from view to protect our eyes. That the bulb lights up the water passing thru a filter tube and does not shine on the aquarium insides. This to me means the UV light will not be shinning on the aquarium décor. Once the algae attaches to the décor the UV is out of play.

The other question is how effective will UV be on algae anyway? Natural sunlight has fairly strong UV and algae has evolved to deal with that level of UV. I may be very far off in that the UV bulb may be stronger or otherwise tuned to be effective on algae. Even so it will only shine on the algae suspended in the water flow as it passes by the light. Note as I was typing this Duanes posted with the useful information.
good luck
 
duanes said:
UV has an effect on free floating algae spores that pass thru the unit, the type of algae that grows on surfaces is not going to be effected.
Especially older decor that already has algae "spores" without the micro pores and fissures (even the glass sides).
It is the same with bacteria and other parasites, if they do not pass thru the unit, they are unaffected.
Click to expand...

Yeah what I suspected. Though it might be wasteful of money to have purchased a filter with this option and not use it (I could have gotten the step below AquaTop though it also didn't have the really good intake and output valves which hang on the aquarium and can be opened to fill the canister after sealing it) It would be just as wasteful to run the light and have to replace it every 6 months for some $60. I guess if I ever get a bacterial bloom I can turn it on then. My nitrates are at 20ppm and my algae problem presently isn't very bad anyway. I have no live plants.
 
skjl47 said:
Hello; First let me say I have not used such a light so cannot report from experience. I post in the thread in hopes of learning about the lights. That said I question how effective UV light can be for algae control. First is I have thought the UV bulb is hidden from view to protect our eyes. That the bulb lights up the water passing thru a filter tube and does not shine on the aquarium insides. This to me means the UV light will not be shinning on the aquarium décor. Once the algae attaches to the décor the UV is out of play.

The other question is how effective will UV be on algae anyway? Natural sunlight has fairly strong UV and algae has evolved to deal with that level of UV. I may be very far off in that the UV bulb may be stronger or otherwise tuned to be effective on algae. Even so it will only shine on the algae suspended in the water flow as it passes by the light. Note as I was typing this Duanes posted with the useful information.
good luck
Click to expand...

You make some good points.
 
I agree about plugging in (or however your particular UV works) only if you experience a green water algal bloom, or if a disease appears. Better to have the bulb fresh, and at full strength when needed, as opposed to running it at random.
 
UV sterilizers help with redox potential, thereby boosting fish immune systems. This read has almost too much info to digest, but is about redux potentials. https://www.americanaquariumproducts.com/Redox_Potential.html

I am afraid of running my fish tank without a UV sterilizer. I used to have a lot of meds, and knew what meds were recommended for what conditions. Not any more. My fish heal quickly from horrifically gruesome injuries. I credit their quick healing to the UV Sterilizer.
 
pacu mom said:
UV sterilizers help with redox potential, thereby boosting fish immune systems. This read has almost too much info to digest, but is about redux potentials. https://www.americanaquariumproducts.com/Redox_Potential.html

I am afraid of running my fish tank without a UV sterilizer. I used to have a lot of meds, and knew what meds were recommended for what conditions. Not any more. My fish heal quickly from horrifically gruesome injuries. I credit their quick healing to the UV Sterilizer.
Click to expand...

Interesting, thank you.
 
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