Ich and UV

[Aquai]

Ok, just wanted to know anyone's stories about success or failure of using UV to combat Ich/ick

I've got a unit, and a fish showing possible symptons of ich/ick although it may just br from substrate disturbance. But i've alsa aquired a free UV unit as of late and was planning on setting it up if people think it will help?

Also, does anyone know if UV has any effect on hair algae -_-

 

[RobsReefs]

ive heard uv will help with free floating ick but will not help once fish has it. but i would use it any way because of the type of ick life cycle.

 

[Steven Pro]

Take a look at any LFS. Just about everyone uses UV and still has parasite problems. UV does not eradicate parasites.

 

[LargeAngels]

Steven has a point. This is always a topic. From all the research I was able to do and ask people I could only find one study on ich and UV. It was conducted with multiple tanks, freshwater, and they found that the only thing the UV did was keep ich from transfering from one tank to the other. If the tank already had ich it did nothing to eradicate the ich in that tank.

 

[Triggerfish]

the uv if run at proper rate should assist with algae problems.

 

[vdubfiend]

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my lfs has independent UV sterilizers in each and every display tank... 40w units running just under their recommending flow.. ich is present EVERYWHERE

 

[IndyMatt]

I understand it wouldn't eradicate it, but what about the free floating life cycle. I would guess it would, if it kills pods wouldn't it kill Ich? Just asking a question, don't kill me.

If it was free, I wouldn't think it would hurt to go ahead and set it up.

 

[fingersdlp]

It takes like 3 time the uv exposure to kill parasites over bacteria. So you need to make sure you run it slow. That said I don't think it is much of a help with ick unless you really get agressive (like using an 80 watt High Output Emperor Aquatic on a 150 gallon tank and a chiller for the heat!).

If the only reason you want to try UV is to help with ick it is not worth it in my opinion.

B.