UV and Ich

[thejuice24]

I have a old turbo twist 3x that I used to on a planted tank. I know believe I see some Ich on my fish. Does UV kill ich? Is this aproach worth my time? I would need to purchase a new UV bulb.

 

[taylorjonl]

I have a old turbo twist 3x that I used to on a planted tank. I know believe I see some Ich on my fish. Does UV kill ich? Is this aproach worth my time? I would need to purchase a new UV bulb.

Ich has various lifecycles, UV *may* slow it down slightly by killing some of the free swimming entities but it will not rid your tank of Ich.

 

[Carlos Danger]

If its ICK, UV's just going to buy you a little time to figure out the quarantine situation and pulling the fish out. It helps to keep the population down but sooner than later it will creep up on you.

 

[Waters]

In addition to what was already said, you also need to purchase the largest UV that you can afford and fit in your space. The smaller turbo twist UV units are not worth much unfortunately. The effectiveness of the UV is determined by the length of time the water is in contact with the light, the strength of the bulb, and the clarity of the water. The smaller units just don't have the contact time unless you slow the water flow WAY down, in which case the unit will never keep up with the tank. The smaller units can sometimes help for algae (green water) issues, but not so much for the free swimming parasites (which is the only stage that UV will help).

 

[Carlos Danger]

In addition to what was already said, you also need to purchase the largest UV that you can afford and fit in your space. The smaller turbo twist UV units are not worth much unfortunately. The effectiveness of the UV is determined by the length of time the water is in contact with the light, the strength of the bulb, and the clarity of the water. The smaller units just don't have the contact time unless you slow the water flow WAY down, in which case the unit will never keep up with the tank. The smaller units can sometimes help for algae (green water) issues, but not so much for the free swimming parasites (which is the only stage that UV will help).

Thats very true. For example I run a Emperor aquatics 50 watt on my 250 gallon and have also found that running it in the sump compared to directly taking from the tank makes a big difference. I had it in my sump and it worked quasi-ok but saw a dramatic difference when I was taking the water directly from the tank and looping it that way. But the turbo twist isn't going to do much.
Good luck!

 

[stevo01]

You need something larger than the twist, for it to be effective. Also note that coralife product seems to fail often. Glass bursting and, stray voltage. I wouldn't use it.

I am using a JEBO pond uv sterilizer.
Jebo Aquarium Uv Sterilizer 36 Watt-180 Gallons https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004K0BC94/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_IF1kzbJVG1RKW

I'll eventually do hard plumbing. Bare with me lol.

 

[taylorjonl]

In the end, UV is not a solution to Ich, you need to start planning on pulling your fish and either using copper or tank transfer to treat the Ich or find a way to live with Ich in your display. Leave your display tank fishless for around 75 days(don't forget a single fish or it is useless, I have heard stories of people thinking a fish was dead, only to find out after they waited 75 days it survived behind the rocks, harboring the Ich).

 

[thejuice24]

Thank you all for your input. I picked up 2 10 gallon tanks this weekend. Working on setting them up now, and will be going copper method. I simply don't have the time with 3 kids and to do all the transfers, sterilizing and setups.