UV Sterilizer to get rid of algae?

[jpappy789]

Theres a fine line between comparing an open ecosystem to a closed environment like an aquarium. I find certain algae pleasing when kept in check but if you have a huge algae outbreak something is out of whack. Maybe I should have re-worded that.

We certainly dont view rampant eutrophication as healthy for an aquatic ecosystem.

 

[Chrisinator]

UV only kills/decreases the algae that it contacts with. I agree with Jpappy, definetely first try everything you can with fertz, lighting (and CO2 if you can, I know you said no). It will help you much better in the future to keep the algae from happening.

If you can, get a UV sterlizer to clear up your tanks and kill some other types of bacteria. It don't think it's necessary. I don't use a UV sterilizer, nor do I have CO2, just a balance with plants and lighting and algae eaters.

 

[TechAquaria]

Interesting, but I DO!

... We certainly dont view rampant eutrophication as healthy for an aquatic ecosystem.

I have an abundance of ALL NUTRIENTS (I don't draw a firm line between what most do, i.e., macros/micros, I do supply values well within acceptable levels and below toxic levels), DOC is but one; I have an abundance of light, etc.

The only thing keeping algae in check is/are direct attack(s) upon the algae itself, in my aquariums--that, and manual removal.

This is unconventional to the general thinking/advice here. That is why I pointed out, the methods to control algae are numerous and at the whim of personal opinion/choice, thank goodness!

For example, without UV my water would look like green pea soup--with UV is as clear as glass. And, something tells me this mimics mother nature. Remove the UV from sunlight and I would expect many ponds and rivers to be pea soup!

Regards,
TA

 

[dundadundun]

so it won't get rid of the hair algae that seems to be all over my broad leafed plants?

no, i do subscribe to the uses of uvc, uvb and uva but they all have their places.

for hair algae there's different techniques as it doesn't float in the water typically.

http://www.csd.net/~cgadd/aqua/art_plant_algae.htm
http://www.theplantedtank.co.uk/algae.htm
http://www.guitarfish.org/algae

 

[Chrisinator]

I have an abundance of ALL NUTRIENTS (I don't draw a firm line between what most do, i.e., macros/micros, I do supply values well within acceptable levels and below toxic levels), DOC is but one; I have an abundance of light, etc.

The only thing keeping algae in check is/are direct attack(s) upon the algae itself, in my aquariums--that, and manual removal.

This is unconventional to the general thinking/advice here. That is why I pointed out, the methods to control algae are numerous and at the whim of personal opinion/choice, thank goodness!

For example, without UV my water would look like green pea soup--with UV is as clear as glass. And, something tells me this mimics mother nature. Remove the UV from sunlight and I would expect many ponds and rivers to be pea soup!

Regards,
TA

And without UV, your water would look clear if you just fix things up.

 

[Chrisinator]

And look into Algae Eaters to help you oout.

 

[TechAquaria]

That IS the point, there is nothing to "fix."

And without UV, your water would look clear if you just fix things up.

I would not change a thing--why fix something when it ain't broke?

Phenomenal plant growth is THE major goal, along with healthy fish. HIGHLY ELEVATED nutrients are required for this. Looong periods of HIGH LEVEL light are required for this--these are ALSO the conditions which promote phenomenal algae growth. Like everything else, there is an answer, somewhere, to the question of, "how can I have this phenomenal growth only for the plants, and NOT the algae?"

It is kinda like this, you are tossing food on the floor for the dog, but the rats are eating it too, and getting as fat as the dog. Now, you can go get a cat to eat the rats (and, the cat will NEVER get all the rats--like algae eaters and algae), or, just come up with the correct rat poison, traps, or conditions hazardous to rats so they are not a problem, and go on with life--this has still not been discovered--someone here just may. If no one tries or carries on experiments to find it--it would be highly unlikely to ever be found (well, accidents do happen!)

To let algae stop me, or limit me, is "losing the war." I choose to fight and take the victories I find useful, learn from the failures, and improve future results. A better answer is out there ...

Regards,
TA

 

[dundadundun]

so it won't get rid of the hair algae that seems to be all over my broad leafed plants?

:duh: i believe this ^^^ is the question at hand

regardless what the debate is i think we can agree uvc (uv sterilizer) is useless on algae that's not floating correct?

 

[TechAquaria]

:duh:... regardless what the debate is i think we can agree uvc (uv sterilizer) is useless on algae that's not floating correct?

I think that was, very obviously, stated earlier. However, even when you clean your tank, stir up the gravel, remove or move--heaters, tubes, airstones, filters, simply clean the glass, etc., etc. You release large amounts of free floating "bits" to drift around and find new points to reside on--I only thought this obvious and not in need of stating. And, some algaes spread by spores. So, although you are attempting to make UV totally ineffective on them, that is not reality. So, no, your statement is NOT the whole truth!

AND THEN, there is the redox factor which DOES slow vulnerable species of algae ... algae control is but one benefit of UV ... you have to run it to see it.

If you have believed those claiming no observable results, you have been fooled. Anyone having run high levels of UV must laugh at such statements.

Regards,
TA

 

[TechAquaria]

Did I mention tank occupants dislodging algae and its' spores too? Sending them drifting in space, in search of a new home ... I mean, thought to its' conclusion, it'll fry your noodle!