How Many Days To Run UV When Adding A New Fish?

BigEZ77

Member
Hi All,

I recently added an Aqua UV sterilizer to my system primarily for parasites while stocking my new tank (No QT, my trusted LFS does it for me). I'd rather not use UV permanently, and wondering if anyone has suggestions on how long to run 24/7 in low (parasite) flow when adding new fish or if seeing an issue with fish down the road? 30 days, or less?

Thanks!

Russell
 
Hi All,

I recently added an Aqua UV sterilizer to my system primarily for parasites while stocking my new tank (No QT, my trusted LFS does it for me). I'd rather not use UV permanently, and wondering if anyone has suggestions on how long to run 24/7 in low (parasite) flow when adding new fish or if seeing an issue with fish down the road? 30 days, or less?

Thanks!

Russell
The use of UV neither prevents or removes parasites. Simply put, a parasite leaving a fish can find another fish without going through the UV, or even fall into the substrate or attach to rocks, corals, etc.

I would keep the UV running all the time because what it does do is break down proteins. The skimmer (which should also be used) will remove the excess proteins.

Start and use a QT protocol.
 
Hey leebca, appreciate the response!

No doubt that’s true…and I could be wrong, but I believe you’d still have a better chance controlling parasites with a UV. I.e. if no UV, 100% of the parasites are thriving and thus 100% chance to infect other fish. If 50% of the water is being sterilized through a UV, then I believe it would be a 50% chance, etc. No idea of the exact numbers. UV is such a debated topic in the hobby…you’ve got one of the guys at BRS saying in a recent video that they’d never set up a tank again without it for parasite control (based on their experience with their existing tank), many who say they don’t think it does nothing for parasite control, others who say it kills all the beneficial stuff in the tank vs those who half the exact opposite viewpoint.

The UV is just a second layer of protection that I’d like to have, and dayummm…I’ve never seen my water so polished! So maybe I will run it all the time, but then I’m concerned at running at a lower parasite control flow (around 500 gph) that it may strip good things from the tank. I bought a pump sized just for that, so if I’m gonna run it at algae control flow, I’ll have to get a larger pump. What’s your opinion, running all the time in lower would be okay?

PS. I’m just not feeling a QT protocol with the LFS I have and trust (If I ever had a massive breakout, then it would be brute trash cans setup). They’re very open about their QT protocol and it is legit. I’ve never had a single issue with a fish from them over the years. The issue here is that I made the stupid mistake of trying out another LFS…never again! Will stay strong and just wait until my trusted LFS can source the fish I want.
 
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