UV Sterilizer

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by fishoholic

I would like to get one to help fight off any bad things in the water

I think this comment in itself is reason not to use one. It sounds like maybe you're not quite happy with things and you're looking for anothe rgadget to fix things. While UV can fight off bad things, it also kills good things, things that other things use for food sources. I would recommend trying to stay as natural as possible and finding a balance in your tank, rather than trying to tip the scales with too much technology.
Not saying UV is bad, but tons of tanks are beautiful with out it, and personally I try to strive for this without gadgets. JMO

[sphelps]

Since micro-organism activity is highest at night you could run a UV on a daylight duty cycle to minimise the effect on your live food. But you may want to consider your goal from using a UV, "killing bad things" makes very little sense.

[sharuq1]

Tagging along

[fishoholic]

Oops, I guess I should of clarified "bad things" as the possible ich I have in my tank, my water quality and parameters are fine/normal. The idea was that the UV would kill the ich parasite when it passes through it, which in turn would hopefully slow down the ich cycle. I know it won't get rid of all of the ich but maybe it would help.

I honestly don't have the space to QT and do hyposalinity to all my fish for 6 weeks and I don't even know if it is ich in my tank or not. Since my fish aren't stressed out, are eating well and behaving normal, I don't really want to take the chance of stressing them out and losing some in the QT process.

I guess I should of just asked for pro's and con's of using UV.

[MikeP]

I've had a 18watt UV on my tank for about a year now. I have plenty of pods and haven't had any real trouble with algae or disease.

[Aquattro]

Sometimes I think ich is over rated. It's pretty much in all tanks, and affects fish that are stressed to the point that their immune system doesn't fight hard enough.
I just added a large sailfin tang to my tank last night, by the time I got him home and in the tank, he was covered in ich. My tank is very clean, high oxygen, and lots to eat. Already the ich is all but vanished, and I don't suspect I'll see it again unless I mess something up in the tank.
I don't use QT, I don't treat (we won't get into the garlic thing here ), I just give the fish a healthy, happy home. This approach has worked wonderfully for 10 yrs + now.
If your thought is to use UV to fight ich, IMO, save your money for something else.

[fishoholic]

Originally Posted by Aquattro

Sometimes I think ich is over rated. It's pretty much in all tanks, and affects fish that are stressed to the point that their immune system doesn't fight hard enough.
I just added a large sailfin tang to my tank last night, by the time I got him home and in the tank, he was covered in ich. My tank is very clean, high oxygen, and lots to eat. Already the ich is all but vanished, and I don't suspect I'll see it again unless I mess something up in the tank.
I don't use QT, I don't treat (we won't get into the garlic thing here ), I just give the fish a healthy, happy home. This approach has worked wonderfully for 10 yrs + now.
If your thought is to use UV to fight ich, IMO, save your money for something else.

Good points. I have a feeling if the ich is due to stress then maybe the fish (even though they don't act like it, and still have a fair amount of space to swim in) are stressed because they're a bit over crowded. Maybe I should save up and put the money towards a large FOWLR tank for my angels to live in

[sphelps]

Originally Posted by Aquattro

Sometimes I think ich is over rated. It's pretty much in all tanks, and affects fish that are stressed to the point that their immune system doesn't fight hard enough.
I just added a large sailfin tang to my tank last night, by the time I got him home and in the tank, he was covered in ich. My tank is very clean, high oxygen, and lots to eat. Already the ich is all but vanished, and I don't suspect I'll see it again unless I mess something up in the tank.
I don't use QT, I don't treat (we won't get into the garlic thing here ), I just give the fish a healthy, happy home. This approach has worked wonderfully for 10 yrs + now.
If your thought is to use UV to fight ich, IMO, save your money for something else.

I agree completely and use the same approach. However in my experience younger tanks or one with lower water quality can benefit from a UV. It can be a useful tool in controlling disease when introducing many fish in a short time. They can also reduce algae growth and increase water clarity. They do however require more maintenance than most people care to give them.

[fishoholic]

Originally Posted by MikeP

I've had a 18watt UV on my tank for about a year now. I have plenty of pods and haven't had any real trouble with algae or disease.

Good to know thank-you