UV Sterilizer for Reef?
- Thread starter renman303
- Start date
marinelife
Active member
"UV sterilizers can only kill the parasites that pass through the unit at the appropriate kill rate flow (varies with parasite, bacteria, algae, etc). It will not kill/eradicate the cysts that are developing on the floor/substrate nor will it kill the parasites feeding on the fish. UV can reduce the number of pathogens/parasites but will not eliminate them.
UV sterilizers must be operated at the appropriate flow and the water must be prefiltered preferably through a micron filter first to allow the lamp's light to penetrate the water and not be obscured with particles/detritus, etc. Most units have a quartz sleeve that must be cleaned of algae, buildup, etc frequently otherwise the unit's lamp can not penetrate efficiently. The UV bulb itself needs to be replaced on a regular basis - usually every 6-9 months - more frequently on length of usage. Check into the replacement price of the bulbs.
With the price of the UV, bulbs and energy costs, along with the time and energy needed to maintain the unit so it can only reduce the number of parasites - I would rather have something that eradicates the problem completely so my fish are not exposed to chronic stress of parasites taxing their immune system.
I would suggest going with a proven method of eradicating ich - display tank is fishless for 6 weeks and all fish in a quarantine tank treated with either copper or hyposalinity. With the money you will save by not having to add chemicals that are not eradicating the parasite and the money you would have spent on the UV, purchase a quarantine system to treat these fish and in the future you can quarantine anything wet for at least 4 weeks in this system to prevent the reintroduction of parasites.
"
Steve Pro once wrote
UV sterilizers must be operated at the appropriate flow and the water must be prefiltered preferably through a micron filter first to allow the lamp's light to penetrate the water and not be obscured with particles/detritus, etc. Most units have a quartz sleeve that must be cleaned of algae, buildup, etc frequently otherwise the unit's lamp can not penetrate efficiently. The UV bulb itself needs to be replaced on a regular basis - usually every 6-9 months - more frequently on length of usage. Check into the replacement price of the bulbs.
With the price of the UV, bulbs and energy costs, along with the time and energy needed to maintain the unit so it can only reduce the number of parasites - I would rather have something that eradicates the problem completely so my fish are not exposed to chronic stress of parasites taxing their immune system.
I would suggest going with a proven method of eradicating ich - display tank is fishless for 6 weeks and all fish in a quarantine tank treated with either copper or hyposalinity. With the money you will save by not having to add chemicals that are not eradicating the parasite and the money you would have spent on the UV, purchase a quarantine system to treat these fish and in the future you can quarantine anything wet for at least 4 weeks in this system to prevent the reintroduction of parasites.
"
Steve Pro once wrote
