How long should I wait before I start running my UV on my new tank? I have been cycling for 2 weeks and my levels seem to be good but I don't want to kill the good bugs. I am QTing a couple of fish now that will be ready in 4 weeks. Should I just wait a day or two before to turn it on? What are your thoughts.
UV with new tank
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SFish
New member
You don't need it. It won't kill the good bugs if you do run it. Hardly anyone uses one of these. I would return it if you can. You can still end up with problems even if you run one.
http://youtu.be/D-EPnuNuqDA
http://youtu.be/D-EPnuNuqDA
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Sapelo
New member
Hmmm...I'm not sure where the information originated that uv is "old school;" the Monterey Bay Aquarium, SeaWorld, Georgia Aquarium, USDA Agricultural Research and Julian Sprung are all running uv and I wouldn't consider any of them "old school."
The question for the o.p. is what are you hoping to accomplish with uv and do you know how much flow you need to get there? That's important.
I found uv to be very helpful in controlling algae, almost too much so for a sps tank. It certainly isn't going to hurt anything to run it now, but how much it helps will depend.
The question for the o.p. is what are you hoping to accomplish with uv and do you know how much flow you need to get there? That's important.
I found uv to be very helpful in controlling algae, almost too much so for a sps tank. It certainly isn't going to hurt anything to run it now, but how much it helps will depend.
I know how much flow I need, per the aqua uv chart for a reef tank. i am set up right for flow sizing in my tank, it is just most things I read say don't run the UV while cycling the tank for the first time. So just want to know when it is ok to turn it on. PS I, I hope to kill algae and any other free floating parasites I can. I realize this won't kill everything but it will kill more than not having one.
SFish
New member
U can still get algae on rocks and sand even when running UV. Don't get me wrong the UV will help fight against these things but there are other things you can do to accomplish the same thing. As I've never ran UV before i'll let some else tell you when it should be turned on.
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thomas.torode
New member
It depends why you are using one.
I'd only use one if your tank has a well established cycle, it will kill good bacteria but it really depends on the flow of the starilizer, how much it will kill. I used one to clear out green water which took only a week, had excellent results and didn't effect my cycle.
"Old School" really isn't an excuse to not use a helpful piece of equipment.
I'd only use one if your tank has a well established cycle, it will kill good bacteria but it really depends on the flow of the starilizer, how much it will kill. I used one to clear out green water which took only a week, had excellent results and didn't effect my cycle.
"Old School" really isn't an excuse to not use a helpful piece of equipment.
Tspors58
Member
After 30 years call me old school... Have always run UV have 36w Twist on my 210. Use it for clarity & parasites. I run 250-300gph since I Do Not quarantine new livestock. To answer your question I would wait till cycle is over. On another note your fish are ready for the tank. However, your tank is not ready for the fish in 4 weeks. Just be careful. Just me but I never add fish to a new tank for 4 months. After 2 months of CUC.
Thanks Sapel. Great Aquarium in ATL.
Thanks Sapel. Great Aquarium in ATL.
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+1
From my experiences over the years I'm convinced a properly sized UV with the correct flow rate and setup can eradicate ich from a DT. Much better to never let it get established though and QT everything that goes into your system. Remember, the ich cycsts can get transferred on any hard substrate.
You need an algae bloom on a new tank, to know it cycled. From my experience there are many things we can't test for on a new tank to determine bacteria have colonized and are really cycling ammonia to nitrate, obviously in reef we need the longer 3rd cycle of anaerobic bacteria to remove nitrates, but, I have found it's pretty safe to add my first fish after I see green algae on the glass. As others have said I think a UV is a great idea if you like crystal clear water. I'm not sure I agree that UV should be used as a front line against ICH, but, I'm sure that at slow rates (I run 150gph through my TT 36w UV) if ICH made it into your system, the UV will slow it down.
There is no substitute for QT your livestock, for lots of reasons other than just ICH.
Observe the animal for 30 days, does it look healthy, does it hide, will it add value to your display, etc. Some animals just can't survive the move from the ocean to captivity, they get sick, disease, etc, why introduce it to your DT.
Again the above said, the UV IMO is a great second line of defense with the added benefit of crystal clear water with less use of expensive and messy carbon.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
There is no substitute for QT your livestock, for lots of reasons other than just ICH.
Observe the animal for 30 days, does it look healthy, does it hide, will it add value to your display, etc. Some animals just can't survive the move from the ocean to captivity, they get sick, disease, etc, why introduce it to your DT.
Again the above said, the UV IMO is a great second line of defense with the added benefit of crystal clear water with less use of expensive and messy carbon.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
