Than brings forth the myth(s) ...
UV sterilizers will only get rid of free floaters...you have some sort of imbalance in the tank. Better to fix that than get something that will only mask the problem.
UV is NOT a VALID fix? Strange thinking and logic there! The only dark water, no light and UV I know of, where fish live, is in underground caves. In some caves, New Mexico, Mexico, etc. blind cave fish do inhabit light-less and UV dark waters.
UV is only duplicating mother nature, it is "holistic" and "organic", so even those hypersensitive individuals should have NO problem with UV--a natural requirement for life in a balanced eco-system!
UV promotes the general "natural balance" of any aquarium. Indeed, any aquarium not exposed to natural sunlight, or at least direct sun though a window for sufficient periods, can NEVER REALLY be balanced--you simply have removed one important aspect of the natural environment--if no UV is present.
Some focus on the "redox thing" (reduction-oxidation reaction) as the most important aspect--that it just naturally promotes better fish health--this may, or may not be, I simply lack the tools to confirm/test it. But, you CAN see definite improvements in a system WITH UV.
And, if someone who is running UV, and for sufficient period of time(s), ever tells me their fish don't appear more healthy, colorful, energetic, with pristine fins, scales, clear eyes, are prone to be more disease free,etc.--I would accuse them of FIBBING!
One other just "side thing" you will notice, the water just smells better after a couple of weeks! It begins to smell like you smell around a healthy pond, or clear pristine mountain stream--a woodsy, humus type smell, even if the aquarium has NEVER smelled this way before.
I am saying, those who have not ever ran UV, and PROPERLY, are the only ones willing to deny the benefits.
I am saying, the ONLY valid reason NOT to run UV is that you just can't afford it! And, if that is the case, stop buying million dollar filters and equipment and spend a bit on UV!
Regards,
TA
