UV Steriliziers Search

[hydraulic1080]

I had a bad outbreak of ich in my tank this pass summer, and so I'm on a hunt for an affordable but good uv sterilizer.Because im in college, my budget limits me to around $100.Almost all the reef stories in my area are selling them for twice that;furthermore, the online reviews on most of these models are not even that good.I check out Amazon and found two that gained my interest:Clarity [Deep Blue] and Coralife 77070 3X Turbo Twist UV Sterilizer, both around $80.Have any of u guys had any experience with either?Plus, i'm opened up for any other recommendations.The tank i current have is a 72 gallon fowlr.Thanks!OH yeah, I prefer a submersible.

 

[Jarmen]

This source has a small section devoted to UV sterilization for ich (http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fa164). It seems like a less than reliable way as you would have to ensure that all of the parasites went through the unit and there is no consensus on how much radiation is required.

Jason

 

[jimmyj7090]

UV isn't particularly effective in fighting marine ick. Might help a little, but won't effect a cure at all.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1992196
See #15

 

[hydraulic1080]

Great info, but im more baffled than ever whether to buy one or not.Because i used all necessary procedures: quarantining, medication, and even both food containing garlic and yet its as if the ick came with a vengeance.:headwalls:Another reason why i dont want to spend 200 bucks on a uv that may or may not stop the ick infestation in my tank.

 

[jimmyj7090]

Read through that link I posted, it covers all you have done.

In short, QT (without an effective treatment during QT), reef safe medications, garlic, cleaner shrimp/fish, good diet, and low stress are all ways to manage ick, or in other words help fish to try to fight the infection - but none of the above will cure it.

Save your $200 and do some researching. Your options are to try to live with it, or invest in what you need for proper copper, tank transfer or hypo treatment.

 

[MrTuskfish]

If you read and understand the ich stickies on this forum; I think why you'll see why UV cannot control ich. Ich emerges from ich on the substrate, Lr, etc. Usually at night. most fish sleep there. Every single new free swimming ich parasite would have to find the UV intake before it found a fish host. Ain't gonna happen. UV may help a little with ich and is a good water clarifyer, though. A QT is an absolute must, IMO & IME.

 

[snorvich]

And for water clarification, Aqua UV is excellent. I have a large one on my pond.

 

[Triton_Z]

It's going to be a challenge to buy a efficient UV sterilizer on your given budget and tank size. I am not familiar with the Deep Blue product, but the have used the Corallife twist units and would not purchase again.

Ich control with UV will be limited as already suggested.

If you have the space, a small QT setup would be a better use for your $$$.

 

[MrTuskfish]

It's going to be a challenge to buy a efficient UV sterilizer on your given budget and tank size. I am not familiar with the Deep Blue product, but the have used the Corallife twist units and would not purchase again.

Ich control with UV will be limited as already suggested.

If you have the space, a small QT setup would be a better use for your $$$.

Right. I think a QT is a necessity, a UV a possible accessory. (try Craigslist; they have lots of inexpensive stuff. Probably much coming from folks who didn't use a QT)

 

[b0bab0ey]

I feel a UV can be useful if you're just trying to "manage" Ich. But it will never eradicate Ich completely from your tank.

 

[MrTuskfish]

I feel a UV can be useful if you're just trying to "manage" Ich. But it will never eradicate Ich completely from your tank.

........and "managed ich" tanks are just a full-blown ich infestation waiting to happen. The owner of a 'managed ich" tank must wake up every day wondering if today is the day. Its inevitable. Snorvich's signature line says it perfectly:
"Not using a quarantine tank is like playing Russian roulette. Nobody wins the game, some people just get to play longer than others." - Anthony Calfo

 

[hydraulic1080]

Lol, thanks for the info, it really helps!I now know what to do.Bt what would u guys say to those folks out there who say u have to get a uv sterilizer in order to keep a powder brown tang/ or any tang for that matter?

 

[snorvich]

Lol, thanks for the info, it really helps!I now know what to do.Bt what would u guys say to those folks out there who say u have to get a uv sterilizer in order to keep a powder brown tang/ or any tang for that matter?

Well, at least their water will be crystal clear even if their fish get sick.

 

[h2so4hurts]

Lol, thanks for the info, it really helps!I now know what to do.Bt what would u guys say to those folks out there who say u have to get a uv sterilizer in order to keep a powder brown tang/ or any tang for that matter?

I'd say they either own an LFS and are looking to dupe someone into a sale, or they have no clue what they're talking about.

 

[MrTuskfish]

I'd also tell them that your 72 gal tank is really too small for most tangs anyhow. I would be very skeptical of any advice from whomever told you this. Tangs are very ich-prone; but any fish can, and will, get ich.
If you explain the ich life-cycle; anyone should be able to understand that UV can't eliminate ich.