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Old 20-04-2003, 07:09 AM
m.dekort
 
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Default UV Sterilizer - live plants - any issues?

Anything I need to know or keep in mind?

Also - how does the water circulate through the sterilizer -
do i need a pump?

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Old 20-04-2003, 07:09 AM
LeighMo
 
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Default UV Sterilizer - live plants - any issues?

Anything I need to know or keep in mind?

Also - how does the water circulate through the sterilizer -
do i need a pump?


There are two kinds of UV sterilizers: inline and standalone. Some can be used
either way.

The inline models are meant to be used with cannister filters. You just hook
it up "inline" with the cannister filter, and the cannister filter's pump runs
water through it. (You should get a T-connector, so you can control the amount
of water that goes through the sterilizer.)

The standalone models are meant to be hooked to a powerhead, which you must buy
separately. (Check to make sure the flowrate of the powerhead is within the UV
sterilizer's recommended flowrate.)

As for issues...some people worry that UV light oxidize iron and other
nutrients, turning them into a form plants can't use. This is a fairly small
effect, however. UV sterilizers are routinely used with hydroponics setups,
with no ill effects.


Leigh

http://www.fortunecity.com/lavender/halloween/881/
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Old 20-04-2003, 07:10 AM
BruceKGeist
 
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Default UV Sterilizer - live plants - any issues?

Totally stupid question he why do you use a UV sterilizer? Is this for
green water problems? -Bruce
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Old 20-04-2003, 07:10 AM
LeighMo
 
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Default UV Sterilizer - live plants - any issues?

Totally stupid question he why do you use a UV sterilizer? Is this for
green water problems?


No. I got a UV sterilizer because I stocked my tank slowly, over a period of
months. I didn't have a quarantine tank, and didn't want to have to worry
about ich outbreaks, introduced by the constant stream of new fish.

A lot of people prefer UV sterilizers to treat or prevent ich and other
parasites, particularly if the tank is large. It can be a pain to medicate a
large tank, not least because you have to use so much medicine.

And some people like to use UV sterilizers just to keep the water conditions
more natural. Even the cleanest tank has something like 3 times as much
bacteria per ml as the dirtiest pond or stream. So a UV sterilizer can help
keep bacteria levels down to "natural" levels.

A UV sterilizer is certainly not a necessary piece of equipment. If money's
tight, you're better off spending it on substrate, lighting, or a good filter.
But it's a convenient thing to have, if you have a few bucks to spare.

Leigh

http://www.fortunecity.com/lavender/halloween/881/
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Old 20-04-2003, 07:10 AM
BruceKGeist
 
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Default UV Sterilizer - live plants - any issues?

Huh. Thanks for that explanation. I was not aware that a sterilizer could
conquer an ich outbreak.

-Bruce


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Old 20-04-2003, 07:10 AM
LeighMo
 
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Default UV Sterilizer - live plants - any issues?

Thanks for that explanation. I was not aware that a sterilizer could
conquer an ich outbreak.


Used correctly (with the right size and flowrate), UV sterilizers are very
effective against ich. And unlike medications, they cause no stress to fish.

They are also effective against green water, but that's not why I bought one.
I haven't had green water since I was a kid, and I kept a single molly in a
gallon jar on the porch. :-) Even when I was trying to create green water, to
raise a daphnia culture, I wasn't very successful.


Leigh

http://www.fortunecity.com/lavender/halloween/881/
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Old 20-04-2003, 07:10 AM
Victor M. Martinez
 
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Default UV Sterilizer - live plants - any issues?

LeighMo wrote:
Used correctly (with the right size and flowrate), UV sterilizers are very
effective against ich. And unlike medications, they cause no stress to fish.


So, would you recommend a UV sterilizer instead of medication for treating
ich? Also raising the temperature perhaps?
I'm curious because I plan to introduce some loaches to my tank (they'll be
the last fish in) and I'm weary about ich. These guys seem to get it every
time they change tanks, or so I've read.

--
Victor M. Martinez | The University of Texas at Austin
| Department of Chemical Engineering
http://www.che.utexas.edu/~martiv | Austin, TX 78712
If we knew what we were doing it would not be called research, would it?
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Old 20-04-2003, 07:10 AM
LeighMo
 
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Default UV Sterilizer - live plants - any issues?

Used correctly (with the right size and flowrate), UV sterilizers are very
effective against ich. And unlike medications, they cause no stress to

fish.

So, would you recommend a UV sterilizer instead of medication for treating
ich?


Only if you don't mind spending the money. Ich can be treated with Rid-Ich or
Quick-Cure, for much less than a UV sterilizer costs.

Also raising the temperature perhaps?


I don't recommend that. (Ich can be treated by raising the temperature only,
but you have to raise it above 90F, and keep it there awhile. For many fish,
that is more stressful than medication. OTOH, some fish, like discus, will be
fine with that temperature.)

Raising the temperature a little is often recommended along with medication, in
order to speed the parasite through its life cycle. I don't think that's
necessary, though. It can be downright harmful. Speeding up the ich's life
cycle can make the disease worse before it gets better -- much worse. In
addition, warmer water has less oxygen in it. The fish are already suffering
respiratory distress, from ich infesting their gills, and from the medication
in the tank. The last thing they need is water with less oxygen in it.


Leigh

http://www.fortunecity.com/lavender/halloween/881/
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Old 20-04-2003, 07:10 AM
Donovan
 
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Default UV Sterilizer - live plants - any issues?


"LeighMo" wrote in message
...
Just wanted to say a huge thankyou for all the advice you've placed on

this
board. I've learnt so much reading your posts - always polite, concise,

and
balanced.


Wow, thanks! :-D


I second that. As a newbie I have learned so much from reading LeighMo and
Netmax's posts.

--donovan


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Old 20-04-2003, 07:12 AM
NetMax
 
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Default UV Sterilizer - live plants - any issues?


"Donovan" wrote in message
...

"LeighMo" wrote in message
...
Just wanted to say a huge thankyou for all the advice you've placed

on
this
board. I've learnt so much reading your posts - always polite,

concise,
and
balanced.


Wow, thanks! :-D


I second that. As a newbie I have learned so much from reading LeighMo

and
Netmax's posts.

--donovan


Thank you!! but LeighMo is in a special class all by herself ;o)

NetMax


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