UV sterilizers

[herp17]

Do a lot of you folks use these? Or recommend using them?
What's everybody's opinion of them? Worth the investment?

If so, are there certain models or brands heavily favored?

[Ichthius]

I use them. They are very useful at keeping bacteria and fungus down.

There are cheap models out there but I'd only buy an emperor Aquatics.

I made a double 65 unit based on emperor design for my fish room.

[Cincy Ranchu]

I have a giant on my Koi pond, it is a must for clear water and high fish load, I got it from AES, 5'tall 200 watts

[WakinAZ]

From the other side: I don't use them. I like to have as few gadgets as possible. I also do not have the large quantities of fish that breeders like Gary and David have - I tend to understock and do a 75% water change weekly. Any new fish are quarantined for two week minimum and proactively medicated if not from a known, disease-free source.

I also do not have an outdoor setup currently. If/when I have a pond again, I will make sure it is shaded from above with only early morning and late afternoon sun hitting it. If that did not keep the algae (planktonic, pea soup, unicellular, kind that drives us crazy) at bay, then I would consider a UV.

I have not had a serious illness or fish death in years. When the occasional malady arises, salt or a commonly available med is usually more than sufficient.

[herp17]

I just recently set up a 55 gallon tank with 5 ranchus in there. Still waiting for the tank to cycle thru. Might consider getting one when I get more.

[Mikey V]

I think the best fish are raised with good food, ample room & oxygen, sunlight and clean water w/ lots of changes.
Now, i'm by no mean trashing technology (I have a sponge filter) but I think you would find the investment of dedicating time and effort more rewarding than a UV sterilizer?
Just my opinion, but i guess if you have the money they wouldn't hurt to have, otherwise, I will always endorse my favorite method: Water changes!!

[WakinAZ]

I just recently set up a 55 gallon tank with 5 ranchus in there. Still waiting for the tank to cycle thru. Might consider getting one when I get more.

Hmm, for most varieties of goldfish, 5 in a 55 is just about stocked completely. Check for sure with all the ranchu gurus on here. Overstocking means committing to changing water frequently (i.e., more than once a week). It sounds like no big deal at first, but it kind of wears on you after a while... Unless you are one of those extreme DIYers that has a completely plumbed and automatic water change setup.

Yes, I am lazy, so I understock. I have four wakin and 1 shubunkin (5 total fish) in my 125 gallon, and 2 wakin and a shubunkin (3 total fish) in my 75. :Geek:

[herp17]

Yeah, since getting the 5 goldfishes from the maryland show, I been doing daily water changes of at least 10 gallons each change. Waiting for the wet/dry filter to come in but again, that will be a while before all the bacteria are settled in. And yeah, I'm a big fan of water changes but hopefully when the tank is done cycling, I can just do it on the weekends.

[Mikey V]

Yeah, since getting the 5 goldfishes from the maryland show, I been doing daily water changes of at least 10 gallons each change. Waiting for the wet/dry filter to come in but again, that will be a while before all the bacteria are settled in. And yeah, I'm a big fan of water changes but hopefully when the tank is done cycling, I can just do it on the weekends.

I have had good luck with API's "Stress Zyme". It is supposed to contain live bacteria, and while im no scientist, it has helped me several times when stocking/cycling a tank, and it really helps to boost the bacterial population

[afnaveils]

What are the criteria for chosing a UV sterilizer? Wattage versus number of gallons of set-up or flow speed through UV or both? I have 600 gallons of water.

Do two UV sterilizers in series of 18 Watts as good or better than one of 36 Watts?

[fantail1]

I use UVs to keep water clear but not as a steriliser. To work as a steriliser they have keep the water much closer to the tube and the products in the UK that can do that are for marine tanks and way over priced. I don't see the need so I dont spend the money

[Ichthius]

What are the criteria for chosing a UV sterilizer? Wattage versus number of gallons of set-up or flow speed through UV or both? I have 600 gallons of water.

Do two UV sterilizers in series of 18 Watts as good or better than one of 36 Watts?

Zap dose is rated in microwatts/cm2. It's calculated with flow rate dwell time and water clarity etc. The manufacurer will rate their unit in terms of tank or pond and flow rate. They usually report two rates one for bacteria and fungus and the other for parasites. You want the former flow rate.

Anyways it's better to buy a single large repairable unit than a couple small units which usually do not last very long. I like emperor Aquatics. At work I just spent $75,000 on 4x 6 foot stainless steel 800 wart units with full monitoring! Xmas is coming early this year. Can't wait to install them.

Uvs significantly improve the microbial content of the water and the carring capacity of a system.

[BruceP]

I like gadgets but don't feel UVs are gadgets, more just part of the system. We have UVs from several manufacturers but quality-wise Aqua Ultraviolet and Emperor are two of the best. I have tried the ebay cheapies and they work ok. Just not made very well so don't expect it to be the last one you ever buy.

[Redcap]

I recommend the unit from goldfish connection. It is a 25 watt Emperor Aquatics unit and is at a good price considering it comes with a pump and just hangs on the tank. Really clears up the water on my 90 gal.

[afnaveils]

How about in winter? Is there any point in keeping an UV sterilizer on (at 50F for example). I just bought a second hand 40W Aqua Ultraviolet Classic w/Wiper sterilizer. I was wondering if I should connect it now (temperature near 55F at night) or wait till spring.

[Cincy Ranchu]

I have a 200 watt emperor on my koi pond from Aquatic Ecosystems it is really nice and clears the pond nicely.

Indoors I have not used the UV I got last year but may try is on my Ranchus this year as a costia preventative when I bring the fish in. Many years ago a guy named Dave V. used UV on all is tanks, the fish guy extremely large and were always healthy, but he had a hard time trading fish as they succum to many things once they got out of a prolonged UV environment. Our thought is that they couldn't fight off anything in a non-UV environment as they were not used to anyting but sterile water

[afnaveils]

I remember he was quite a gadget guy from the Goldfish Reports!

[BruceP]

I have a 200 watt emperor on my koi pond from Aquatic Ecosystems it is really nice and clears the pond nicely.

Indoors I have not used the UV I got last year but may try is on my Ranchus this year as a costia preventative when I bring the fish in. Many years ago a guy named Dave V. used UV on all is tanks, the fish guy extremely large and were always healthy, but he had a hard time trading fish as they succum to many things once they got out of a prolonged UV environment. Our thought is that they couldn't fight off anything in a non-UV environment as they were not used to anyting but sterile water

That story reminds me of a recent experience. Someone, not to be named, graciously gave us some small fish that we are trying to get going. They were not itsy bitsie. babies so I put them in a 55. They got eaten by the filtration. They were raised with only a sponge filter til they came here. I have surmised that they didn't know how to swim in even the slightest current. We teach our fish to swim here. ROFL

[bekko]

Gerard, you might find UV most beneficial in late winter through spring, especially when you're in Aeromonas Alley.

I like the effect of UV, regardless of the water quality or amount of water change. I hate the gripe of cleaning sleeves and the cost of changing bulbs. But, without the upkeep they are useless.

-steve