Ich and UV sterilization?

[aquariaddictus]

Did I read somewhere that ich, while in it's free-swimming form, can be killed by UV sterilization? It rings a bell.
tia
judy

[OrionGirl]

Yep. UV used with another method of killing the ich is quite effective. Used by itself, it will eventually get rid of ich, but you'll be fighting a low level of infection for a while. Reason, some tomites will be able to reinfect a fish before they can get sucked into the UV. If you can use substrate cleanings and multiple tanks, along with the UV, you can whip it without meds. Otherwise, I'd use salt if possible, raised water temp, and the UV.

[wetmanNY]

If you've ever sat at twilight on the patio, listening to the satisfying bzzt... bzzt bzzt of the UV-baited bug zapper... and been bit by a mosquito, you'll sense that UV sterilizing can reduce protozoan populations (including Ich) to low levels-- but it can't eliminate them.

In a similar way you could do a series of daily 90% water changes and eliminate almost every free-swimming Ich swarmer.

Interestingly, after UV has been discontinued, the rebounding plankton may create "cloudy water" conditions for a while, until it's balanced again. This often encourages fishkeepers to go back to the UV that's "keeping the water clear."

[aquariaddictus]

Thanks guys! I thought so, but I'm too lazy to set it up for a small tank. It's actually my pond sterilizer, and I was thinking of giving it a cleaning and trial run before spring, while putting it to good use at the same time. Now that there's another layer of ice on the ground, I've lost the urge!!
j