UV sterilizers?

thanks guys

joe i have to agree with you here i can't see how using UV isn't good - cleaner water = better tank conditions - i mean sure you may lose some beneficial bacteria but hey keeping out the nasties is certainly worth it?
so i just want to make sure i understand how this works - i have a penguin 330 bio wheel filter on my tank - i want to use a UV sterilizer - it needs some way to have water flow throught it though right? - i haven't got a canister filter system - how can i make this work? does the UV have a filtering mechanism ? from what i understand , the water has to get filtered into the UV chamber where the light then cleanses the water - is this correct?
so therefor how woul i make the water filter into the UV with out changing my current filtration system? I'm asking cause i'm gonna have to sink some money into this thing and prob order from docs foster n smith - wanna make sure i can use it if it buy it - any recomendations for a brand name that is affordable yet good for a 55g
thanks
lmb
 
Of course, keeping nasties at bay is good.... isn't it?

Exactly which nasties are you hoping to kill? Which particular species of bacteria are not only pathogenic but are found free-floating in the water column? I suspect if your fish succumb to "nasties" free-floating in your water, the problem is one of nutrition and tank maintenance, not the need for UV.

I love aquaria-related gadgets and appreciate the fun in hooking all sorts of exotic gear to tanks (I have a UV, after all; gathering dust on a shelf...), but I've yet to see any evidence that UV units actually do anything beneficial for fish.

I doubt they cause any harm, either. I don't find the 'weakened immune system' argument particularly convincing, mainly because there are a whole host of bugs that are passed fish-to-fish or via surfaces in the aquarium that UV won't do a dang thing about.

I would be loathe to every discourage someone from getting an aquarium related gadget, but UVs just are not needed. How many highly successful aquarists keep and breed fish without using them... the vast majority, I bet.

LMOUTHBASS, if you really want a UV, but all means go out and get one. But all you newbies and lurkers... don't be convinced that a UV sterilizer is necessary for successful fishkeeping.

Jim
 
Re: thanks guys

Originally posted by LMOUTHBASS
... ...so therefor how woul i make the water filter into the UV with out changing my current filtration system?.....- wanna make sure i can use it if it buy it - any recomendations for a brand name that is affordable yet good for a 55g
thanks
lmb
Click to expand...
A 9 watt model would work for a 55g...
Here's a link: Custom SeaLife UV Sterilizer

All you need is a separate powerhead to attach to the sterilizer. You don't have to have it hooked to a canister filter. Try to use an adjustable flow powerhead.

As mentioned, these sterilizers are not a necessity, but they are useful...
 
hey guys

thanks for all your replies - i'm not hoping to eliminate anything in particular i just figure there has to be some nasties in everyone's water- i was just browsing for coll gizmos and came across this particular one and it seems like a logical good idea - not a necessity - but a good tool -


joe - so i could get a powerhead to generate water flow and hook it up to the UV? i've never used a powerhead before - how do they work? i always wanted one because it looks like it creates cool "currents" in the tank but thought they were only for UGF - if not i will hook one into my tank and then connect the uv -
by the way have you guys seen the pics of joe's tank? unbelievable looking! i'm gonna take his word for it that the UV are helpful!:D
 
Look for a PM...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom