Well After reading all your responses I am now much the wiser.
Thanks to everyone who answered my post.
Mostyn.
"Go Fig" wrote in message
...
In article ,
wrote:

most people say they kill the algae, but my UV is too weak to do that
and I
have read
that UV damages the cell wall of algae so they clump together and get
filtered out.
I dont change my bulb UNTIL it looks like it isnt handling the algae.
actually, I
didnt change my first UV unit bulb at all. the wires rusted off (it was
a
used one
somebody gave me). the people who sell bulbs recommend replacing it
every
year, but
I think replacing it when it doesnt do the job is a cheaper idea.

Do you extend this idea to taking antibiotics ? Do you stop giving
them when your fish look better, despite the fact that the Rx says to
complete the entire regimen ?

This 'on-the-cheap' attitude has created many resistant strains that
were only inoculated rather than killed, only latter to kill. This is
a huge problem in the ornamental fish trade.

While most ponds only use UV for suspended algae, a very simple
organism... it can be used for higher parasitic organisms as well. UV
tolerance, is clearly an evolutionary adaptation.

I use UV as Rx'd, turn them off in winter and replace lamp in spring.

jay
Mon Aug 16, 2004




Ingrid

"Mostyn" wrote:

Can anyone tell me what does a UV light actually do to the water & why
do
you have to change the UV bulb/tube and how often do you have to change
the
bulb/tube.
Thanks
Mostyn




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