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View Full Version : to uv or not to uv, that is the question


gregh
08-30-2007, 12:09 PM
Just wondering how many people run UV 24x7 and what the various thoughts are about it.

I've been running UV on my system, but am considering switching it off to save electricty!

regards,

greg
danwin
08-30-2007, 12:41 PM
took the words right out of my mouth mate, i use uv 24-7 also cos i was advised to by LFS, but there s that much stuff runs on tanks its nice to save a little elec wen you can.:D
Tetley
08-30-2007, 01:15 PM
Hi,

The units found on the home aquarium are not doing much IMO.

Turn it off, and disconnect.

ATB
mixy
08-30-2007, 01:19 PM
i have one connected to my tank i just turn it on if and when needed.
Tetley
08-30-2007, 01:22 PM
i have one connected to my tank i just turn it on if and when needed.

Do you ensure flow is going through 24/7? And just turn the bulb off.

ATB
Aquandy
08-30-2007, 09:55 PM
Mines on 24/7 also to help prevent WS which is the main reason I use a unit.
If you turn on when its needed i.e when you see WS then surely you needed it on before to prevent an out break?
toonfan
08-30-2007, 10:29 PM
only reason i can see for using a UV is to help prevent algae, it is the main reason they are used in koi ponds to stop the green algae, apparently the difference between a koi and marine UV is that the marine chamber is spiralled to allow longer time for the water to be near the bulb
MR Teee
08-31-2007, 07:38 AM
Do you have a big sign in the tank, saying all nasty parasites through the UV please?:D:D

I think they have a use for free floating algae spores, but thats about it.
Electric Monk
08-31-2007, 07:46 AM
Do you have a big sign in the tank, saying all nasty parasites through the UV please?:D:D

I think they have a use for free floating algae spores, but thats about it.

Big sign...thats just silly...:D

You've flown into the airport after your hol's, get your bags, then you choose between the 'Nothing' and 'Something' to declare corridors.

Good bugs to the left, bad bugs to the right :D
Tangman
08-31-2007, 08:14 AM
IMO They are a waste of time and money the ones that the home fishkeeper uses, the ones that such as TMC use will do some good to keep parasites etc at bay as they are 2000 watts and upwards. But they just kill everything so the water is so sterile there is nothing in it that can cause trouble. As for the pond ones they are different as they have a different way of going through as the gap is wider between the tube and glass, compared to the ones for marines which are closer to each other. HTH Twiggy:D
moorish
08-31-2007, 08:53 AM
tried one a few years back and did not think much of it,i use ozone and it keeps the water crystal clear and also kills free swimming parasites a much better option.derek
brian waller
08-31-2007, 10:26 AM
IMO They are a waste of time and money the ones that the home fishkeeper uses, the ones that such as TMC use will do some good to keep parasites etc at bay as they are 2000 watts and upwards. But they just kill everything so the water is so sterile there is nothing in it that can cause trouble. As for the pond ones they are different as they have a different way of going through as the gap is wider between the tube and glass, compared to the ones for marines which are closer to each other. HTH Twiggy:D


eric, if you had used one it may have helped to stop your wipe-out, i use them all the time on both my tanks on 24/7,best thing since sliced bread.

brian.
gregh
08-31-2007, 10:57 AM
I've got the TMC Vectron 600 still not convinced about switching it off at the moment!

http://www.tmc-ltd.co.uk/aquarium/v2ecton-uv.asp

cheers,

greg
Tangman
08-31-2007, 05:26 PM
eric, if you had used one it may have helped to stop your wipe-out, i use them all the time on both my tanks on 24/7,best thing since sliced bread.

brian.
Hi Brian i had one years ago and it did not stop a wipeout i had then so i doubt it would have done so this time. Any way IMO they are not strong enough compared to the big commercial ones that such as TMC use. Twiggy:D
mousehunter22
08-31-2007, 07:55 PM
My opinion is they do help!!!! i had one on my tank for ages and when i got white spot the second time around i noticed it wasnt working (one of the bulb conectors had come off) once i got it up and running again my fish started to improve,could have been coincidence but i think it helped:D
Kev
09-01-2007, 08:02 AM
Mines on 24/7 also to help prevent WS which is the main reason I use a unit.
If you turn on when its needed i.e when you see WS then surely you needed it on before to prevent an out break?

For me I don't use one, never have. I would actually look to try and see what is the cause of the white spot. Prevention being better than cure.
Tangman
09-01-2007, 09:17 AM
H I have been on another BB and copied and pasted it and a well known Aquarist has given this answer to someone who is going to use a UV to cure Whitespot. As i said earlier they home ones are pretty much useless to the large commercial 2000 watters. Twiggy




So long as you ensure the appropriate amount of exposure (i.e. appropriate combination of flow/wattage) UV can kill or sterilise pathogens. But this is the critical issue - algae and bacteria are comparatively easy to kill, higher life forms such as white spot are much tougher, requiring an exposure 100x greater.


They also don't seem to acknowledge that there is a difference in the ability of UV to penetrate freshwater and a saltwater. This impacts on the UV exposure any organism will endure and is why firms like Aqua Medic suggest that on saltwater systems the stated aquarium capacity of their UV sterilisers should be halved (and the flow through them halved to increase exposure time to compensate).

For all I know the stated capacities for the Fish r Fun and Vectron units may be correct for freshwater setups, but I'd doubt whether they are anything like that for saltwater. I suspect that most of the problems with people believing UV doesn't work boil down to people expecting freshwater rated UV units to perform just as well on saltwater - they probably won't!
Kev
09-01-2007, 09:29 AM
You been over to the dark side then Eric? :D
MR Teee
09-01-2007, 09:56 AM
He's always on there Kev:D:D
Kev
09-01-2007, 09:59 AM
He only pops over there for a fight!:p
Macca
09-01-2007, 10:32 AM
UV - READ THE INSTRUCTIONS!

The problem people have with a UV sterlsier is they do not use them as per instructions. They simple tap them onto any old pump and expect them to work; They dont change the bulbs and water clarity may also be an issue although I am guessing at the latter. Get the correct UV for your systems capacity if in doubt get the bigger version. Replace the bulbs when they are due to be replaced and for god sake keep the flow through them to manufacturers instructions or it is as good as switched off if you dont.

JMO

James
Macca
09-01-2007, 10:37 AM
ps UV get a bad name because they are used inefficently and they have pros and cons referring to the killing of bacteria (good and bad).

TMC UVs work on their commercial systems because they have been optimised with flow rates etc professionaly. Hoobyists need to do this part themselves and often fail at this critical hurdle.

Oh forgot - would I use a UV in a reef - No; Would I use one in a fish only - Yes. The key to this is to ensure you buy your fish from a store that quarantines and you also quarantine so to reduce/eliminate any parasite outbreaks.

JMO

James
Tangman
09-01-2007, 11:54 AM
He's always on there Kev:D:D
Yes i am on there keeping an eye on you and that Tetley guy, your never away from the place you must like it soooo much. Twiggy:D
Kev
09-01-2007, 11:58 AM
Actually Eric, I have had a look over there today. First time in a few months.:mad: Still can't be bothered with it, a probably never will again.
Chris, Reef Ranch
09-15-2007, 04:26 PM
Don't bother realy. Try killing white spot with it? Need a massive application rate. Do you live in a streile environment? An eco system consists of both good and bad organisms all in balance. Sounds like you've been talking to UV meister with his amiazing get rich quick schemes. As you know Greg we don't sell em. Maybe we should, put more money in my pocket but as you know we are not about that! ;)
Macca
09-15-2007, 06:47 PM
Don't bother realy. Try killing white spot with it? Need a massive application rate. Do you live in a streile environment? An eco system consists of both good and bad organisms all in balance. Sounds like you've been talking to UV meister with his amiazing get rich quick schemes. As you know Greg we don't sell em. Maybe we should, put more money in my pocket but as you know we are not about that! ;)

Chris are you refering to reef only here? I can understand the answer for a reef only system, but if you are referring to a fish only system then thats your choice. But some hobbyists do use large UVs on a Fish only system and are only concerned with keeping the water bacteria free (good or bad).

James
Chris, Reef Ranch
09-18-2007, 12:28 PM
Chris are you refering to reef only here? I can understand the answer for a reef only system, but if you are referring to a fish only system then thats your choice. But some hobbyists do use large UVs on a Fish only system and are only concerned with keeping the water bacteria free (good or bad).

James

Yes yuo are right COMMERCIAL fish only systems need UV because as you know there are nasty bacteria that fish carry such as Vibrio or Brooklnella that once introduced can multiply and overwhelm animals in the system. However, commercial UV are far more effcient at killing not only bactaria but also have the potential to reduce the number of free swimming protozoan such as C. irritans theronts.

If you are asking me if you should UV your fish section of your store I would say yes. Commercial systems are not aquariums. they are constantly under pressure from shock loading and the introduction of many new animals. There are many things to consider when running a commercial systems that realy cause problems in aquarium. :)

Chris
X
Chris, Reef Ranch
09-22-2007, 02:31 PM
Did we get a definitive answer to this question? Not just a concensus?

Chris
johnl69
09-22-2007, 04:57 PM
Did we get a definitive answer to this question? Not just a concensus?

Chris

Is anything definate in this hobby:D:D
Tetley
09-22-2007, 05:01 PM
Is anything definate in this hobby:D:D

Yes - water is wet :D
johnl69
09-22-2007, 05:07 PM
Yes - water is wet :D

Trust you:D:D
Chris, Reef Ranch
09-23-2007, 01:54 PM
Elephants are big with legs :D
johnl69
09-23-2007, 01:55 PM
Elephants are big with legs :D

Have YOU been drinking:crazy:
MR Teee
09-23-2007, 02:00 PM
Elephants are big with legs :D

I don't think my skimmer could cope with one of them:D
Tetley
09-23-2007, 02:03 PM
I don't think my skimmer could cope with one of them:D

You jest - those Germans will have it covered :D:D:D:D
Chris, Reef Ranch
09-23-2007, 02:27 PM
Have YOU been drinking:crazy:

No but I thought the one thing that is remarkable about Elephants is that they have legs? :confused:
MR Teee
09-23-2007, 02:31 PM
As opposed to flippers ???
johnl69
09-23-2007, 02:39 PM
No but I thought the one thing that is remarkable about Elephants is that they have legs? :confused:

Then you must have had a go on Mark J's homemade skimmer:D:p:D
Chris, Reef Ranch
09-23-2007, 03:08 PM
As opposed to flippers ???

Only when they go diving with an aqualung. :D