UV sterilization harmful/helpful? Thanks!

[dsmoothy1]

I just acquired a 225g setup that included a really nice UV sterilizer as part of it's filtration system. Will this harm my prized plecos? What are your opinions? I have read where it will not mess with your existing biological filtration. And I have also read opinions that it does. What are your takes and will I be ok leaving it as part of the system? Thanks much!

[Jools]

Have moved this from T&SN to the correct tank talk forum...

Jools

[dsmoothy1]

Thanks!

[Bas Pels]

As the UV will remain inside the filtration, using this will not harm your plecos. That is, it will not harm them directly.

However, it may harm them indirectly - as the UV will kill all algae, bacteria which pass it, this growh will not alarm you in case of bad water, and high need of a water change

Still, I can imagine using the UV myself keeping very sensitive fish, from high upstream, which in nature simply do not encounter any bacteria and therefore die from the silghtest encounter with the least harmfull bacterium. Such fish are simply not keepable without UV - and one will still need to refresh plenty of water


But in any other case I would not use the UV permanently. In fact I've had a fitler pot with UV for 3 years without ever using it. It might have its use, though, to destroy medicines after use.

[dsmoothy1]

So if I leave the UV filter in I will still need to be aware that water changes need made. I think I was more worried about it removing helpful bacteria. In the system that it is set up for the tank now, the water would filter through the UV sterilizer constantly. Thanks for the help!

[Narwhal72]

Beneficial bacteria generally do not float around the water column where a UV would harm them. Generally they are adhering to surfaces in the aquarium. There is no harm in using a UV.

If you don't want to run it simply unplug the lamp. If you ever find need of it (to treat a cloudy water issue, remove medication, or help control disease) just plug the lamp back in.
Keeping it plumbed into the system doesn't cause any harm either.

Andy

[dsmoothy1]

Makes sense. This is exactly the information I was looking for. Thanks!

[antec]

I only put the UV on for a day or two once a month. leaving it on constantly can get expensive.

[Bas Pels]

I only put the UV on for a day or two once a month. leaving it on constantly can get expensive.

Certainly

Both in your energy bill but also, these lamps don't last very long. After ~5000 hours (read the manual) most of them need to be replaced - and they are costly.

[Durlänger]

I only put the UV on for a day or two once a month. leaving it on constantly can get expensive.

Certainly

Both in your energy bill but also, these lamps don't last very long. After ~5000 hours (read the manual) most of them need to be replaced - and they are costly.

+ putting them one and out counts as one hour runnig, so runnig for one day a month equal 25h.

Generally UV-filtration is not requierd as long as waterconditions are good and there is no indication of diseases. If there are diseases a quarantine tank with UV-filtration or medication is much more effective. And quarantine new fish (or having them quarantine from the seller/shop) is the way to go.

[antec]

I bet the UV is the reason why I've never had any diseases, among other factors of course. except for the very first tank I got had ich, which was 4-5 years ago. since then, nothing. I'd hate to find signs and symptoms of disease then prep a QT and collect all the fish, then meds, then carbon, and constant monitoring. I believe a UV treatment once a month is a great preventative measure to avoid costly QT prep and med regimen.