UV + Rays = ?

[biggfish]

I use two UV canisters to keep fungus and algae down and ultamately the water clear. All is well thus far.

 

[DB junkie]

Nope.

Until I can get straight answers or some kinda proof to justify the money I'm just not sold.

BUT if anyone wants to sell me on the idea I'm all ears.....

 

[omojena]

I understand the cleaner water reasoning but in terms of introducing pathogens, do you regularly add new stock?

Not directly aimed at you omo, but does anyone think that this reasoning could be easily solved through proper QT?

pathogens can attach themselves to your gravel, sand, glass, dritwood etc..... keeping any bacteria other than nitrosomas and nitrobacter is a good thing in my opinion. the UV keeps that in check. added bonus... clearer water and no algae. i do waterchanges of the 80% varieity 1-3 times per week depending on how heavily i feed.

 

[abortedsoul]

I would recommend the use of a moderate amount of UV lighting with the rays, or give the tank a bit of natural sunlight. The rays are bound to get a bit of it in the wild, and as long as you don't go overboard it would help produce biotope conditions (not to mention they get the chance to pamper themselves with some sunbathing).

As for UV sterilization, I've not yet moved on to that step. I have been trying to keep things simple, but that will be a step in the near to moderate future for my water systems.

 

[DavidW]

I would recommend the use of a moderate amount of UV lighting with the rays, or give the tank a bit of natural sunlight. The rays are bound to get a bit of it in the wild, and as long as you don't go overboard it would help produce biotope conditions (not to mention they get the chance to pamper themselves with some sunbathing).

As for UV sterilization, I've not yet moved on to that step. I have been trying to keep things simple, but that will be a step in the near to moderate future for my water systems.

the UV frequency produced by sterilizers is filtered out from the sun's rays by the atmosphere, so sunlight won;t help much.
If anyone doesn't understand why UVS is very useful please read this link for a simple explanation.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultraviolet_germicidal_irradiation

 

[Fisher BR]

I use UV 5w to keep algae down

 

[Nic]

I use UV and will always use it, I am also building a OZONE system for my place now and will have it up and running very soon. When you combine UV and OZONE you get very good results. All major public aquariums use OZONE these days. But it can also be very harmfull to your fish is not done properly so make sure get a good system with automated monitor. I will make thread once I get started.

thanks for letting me know you found the good stuff on ozone and rays


this has been my idea for awhile and will be set up on the next system.... UV is a must IMO.... i never had any major problems till i shut my UV down...