Is it safe to install a UV Sterilizer on a Tank treated with CopperSafe?

[lscall]

I am having a on going battle with single cell, floating algea...I tried a Diatom Vortex D-1 Filter. I have to send it back 'cause it leaks and blows air bubbles.

At this point I am thinking about trying a UV Sterilizer...But my tanks are treated with CopperSafe.

I have gotten different opinions on using a UV Sterilizer with CopperSafe:

- One person posted early that it causes the copper to convert to harmful poision.

- My LFS say that they use CopperSafe and UV Sterilizers all the time.

Any info on which is corrected would be greatly appreciated?

 

[chefkeith]

I'm in the same boat. I have a new UV Sterilizer, and I have used Coppersafe on my tanks about a month or so ago. I've done a ton of water changes since. I want to wait until all the copper is gone before running the UV Sterilizer. I just bought a Copper Test Kit and it says there is still copper in the water. I'll have to do more testing on the water to compare results.

Here's where I got info that copper meds can be harmful-
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/pic/article.cfm?dept_id=0&siteid=6&acatid=423&aid=440

From DR F&S
"Operating Guidelines
While UV sterilizers usually do no harm, do not use one when you first cycle your aquarium, as it may kill beneficial bacteria before they attach to the bio-media or gravel. Also, many medications can be "denatured" by the UV light, so the sterilizer should be turned off when using medications, especially chelated copper treatments. The UV light will "break" the bond of the chelating agent, and the aquarium will have a sudden, lethal concentration of ionic copper."

 

[lscall]

Thank you...This is the first definite answer I have gotten and two LFS told be no problem.

Good thing I did not follow their advice!!!!!

 

[daveedka]

Thank you...This is the first definite answer I have gotten and two LFS told be no problem.

Would that be the same LFS that sold you copper safe in the first place?

Copper safe is not. there are many reasons why not. If the UV sterilizer breaks it down quickly, and it's impossible to remove it quickly, would it stand to reason that ambient room UV (I realize there isn't much, but there is always some) is creating low levels of "poison" the entire time you have coppersafe in the tank? Most of the meds we deal with are dangerous, and the blessing is that we can remove them as soon as we are done using them. not so with copper products whether the are labeled "safe" or not. They are next to impossible to remove quickly or effeciently, and they are a poison to just about all life forms. The risk factor is extreme, the pay-off minimal.

Since you are already past the point of adding copper, and you are trying to address an algae bloom issue, use a blackout of 4-5 days. It's free, and it is highly effective. Additionally it is free. UV's are capable of killing off algea blooms, but it's a lot of money for something that only needs to be used once and then you are done. The only way recurring green water is a problem is if the tank is poorly maintained and you keep creating new blooms.
Dave

 

[lscall]

I appreciate the advice...I have tried blackout with no luck.

I do not think my tank is poorly maintained...I have a 75 Gallon with a AquaClear 500, Vortex Diatom D-1 filter and Aquaclear 100 Powerhead with filter. I do water changes bi-weekly and sooner if needed ( I have Plece that can cause a mess).

I hoover the gravel weekly...So not sure where the new blools are coming from.

I have three other tanks with crystal clear water...

 

[melonie]

I have recurring 'green water' algae problems despite frequent water changes, mostly attributed to the fact that the only space I have available for my 6 gal and 55 gal tanks is in a very sunny room. I run an 8 watt UV on the 55 gal and it does an excellent job of knocking down the algae. I also have yet to develop any problem whatsoever in regard to infections.

But Daveedka is 110% correct that when you're running a UV you need to read the ingredients list on everything you plan on adding to the tank very carefully. Lots of the medicinal aquarium products do in fact contain stabilized (chelated) heavy metals. For example the prime ingredient in CopperSafe is chelated copper sulfate. UV exposure risks breaking the chemical bond between the copper and the chelating agent and freeing ionic copper in your tank water - which can be readily absorbed by your fish and act as a very effective poison if enough of it is absorbed.

Another thing that I have to be careful of is the fact that my well water has a fairly high amount of phosphorus, which algae seems to thrive on. In the 6 gal without the UV, using PhosZorb resin in my filter seems to help quite a bit.