UV izzit really good?

[sjsheng]

i was told by LFS owner that if u intend to keep tang... UV is a good invest..

izzit really true???

i have read up some thread related to UV...

wanna double check is this UV really useful in helping curing white spot???

what is the price??? i was quote $130 for a set of UV...

[Acanthurus pyroferus]

i was told by LFS owner that if u intend to keep tang... UV is a good invest..

izzit really true???

i have read up some thread related to UV...

wanna double check is this UV really useful in helping curing white spot???

what is the price??? i was quote $130 for a set of UV...

bro U.V. is a milder form of sterilization and it only kills floating algae of sorts and nothing else. Prices varies from brand to brand and some cost like what was quoted to you. If you're looking to rid diseases , then ozonization is a better method of keeping your fishes free of parasites.

[ah^siao]

UV helps to rids diseases too...

[sjsheng]

ok.. does UV really help to solve white spot problem???

[ah^siao]

i think it does.. cauz i saw alot of tank running UV does not have any problems with white spots

[jc85]

Will UV also kill off those useful bacteria and plankton also?

[Cedric]

Tangs are notorious for being ick magnets. UV will help to a certain extend. However, most aqurists use undersize UVs.

[Tanggy]

uv help control parasites population by altering it's DNA. It stops itch only in its floating form. it can increase water quality if set properly. However, if already infested, it can reduced the population but not eliminate it. It is more for prevention then a cure. but you can notice a difference in water clarity when uv is in use. looks clearer as it kills floating alage too. but mush by place on the return of the flitration or it will kill beneficial bacteria as well.

PS: do not follow the direction of pump as they are for ponds. Water flow should be 10-20 gallon per hr per watt. If water is faster, uV is useless.

[pospeh]

I dont think most UV sets sold on the market is effective in killing the Ich spores.

The contact time through the UV sleeve is usually too short or the UV is underpowered.

Theoretically, it does work, however, but I think you need to spend thousands of dollars to get something that really works.

[Tanggy]

I beg to differ. Just that those in the market are meant for pond and always state like for 10000 gallon which isnt wrong cos pond are in direct sunlight and the UV only need to suplement the sun's work. So for aquaria, a 3ft would need like 9-10 watt to be effective and 4ft 15-20watt. The amount of contact depends on the pump use. So a proper rate need to be used to get the proper contact time to be effective. UV is a proven method of killing pathogen etc. and is employed in medical use. Just that we require proper wattage and proper water flow to ensure its effectiveness.

I understand why some are reluctant of UV use as UV do not discriminate killing both good and bad bacteria in our water. Some also think that as the fishes are in a relatively pathogen free enviroment and when a outbreak does happen, the fish has little immune defences against them. But I still think that this is up to the individual.

I myself had use one for a couple of week and notice a difference in water clarity from the second day onwards. I had use it to combat an itch outbreak and although the UV did not eliminate the Itch problem, it did control the spread and a drop in the itch on my tangs. Allowing the fish from being overwhelm by Itch and a chance for the immune system to fight it. I have since took off the UV. Trying to do it the natural way.

[Acanthurus pyroferus]

just one thing to remember.....U.V. just doesn't help with diseases...period and no it doesn't kill nitrifying bacteria....

[sjsheng]

so overall it is not recommand to get it ???

[Acanthurus pyroferus]

so overall it is not recommand to get it ???

overall if you have extra $$$$ to spend then it's something to get but investing in it , thinking you'll have disease free fishes then it's not something you want to buy. An ozonizer would prove to be a better investment that I will suggest. It does all of the above jobs well crystal clear waters , disease free fishes , desired ORP readings etc.