UV Sterilizer, Any Point To One?

[JSkeleton]

I was looking into UV Sterilizers but hear conflicting info on them. Is there really any point to one and if so what? Do they really help kill parasites/diseases and help prevent fish from getting sick or what's their practical use if at all?

 

[CoralB]

First off they bring clarity to the water , second if powerful enough and you run the water through slow enough say 100 - 200 gph or so , it will kill parasites, algae , ick , and other pathogens , bacteria explosions etc. What it can’t do is kill anything that is not in the water column ie: in the sand , on the glass , rocks , equipment . On the fish or coral Etc. but yes it is beneficial at controlling things that may spread through the water column. I have them on all my tanks . The only time I don’t approve of their use is in fish Hatcherys when growing out the baby fish . It impedes their immunity.

 

[JSkeleton]

First off they bring clarity to the water , second if powerful enough and you run the water through slow enough say 100 - 200 gph or so , it will kill parasites, algae , ick , and other pathogens , bacteria explosions etc. What it can’t do is kill anything that is not in the water column ie: in the sand , on the glass , rocks , equipment . On the fish or coral Etc. but yes it is beneficial at controlling things that may spread through the water column. I have them on all my tanks . The only time I don’t approve of their use is in fish Hatcherys when growing out the baby fish . It impedes their immunity.

Ah gotcha! But if it kills algae would it starve any algae eaters like snails?

Additionally, does it go inside the tank, hang on back or outside somewhere?

Also, for a 55 Gallon, how do I know how powerful I'd need?

 

[CoralB]

No because your snails don’t swim in the tank and any fish that eat algae , doesn’t eat in the water column because it’s microscopic.

Their are hangon the back UV lights , the one I use I have hooked up to a manifold system off my return from my sump to the tank . I don’t believe they make ones to go directly into the tank or submerged for that matter

For a 55 I would use at least a 25 watt

Some people run them on a timer for 6-8 hour or they run them a few days out of the week , sometimes only when they have issues they need to clear up , and some run all the time . But they do serve a purpose in my opinion . Oh and some never run them .

 

[mijan]

UVs don’t kill they sterilize so the organism can’t reproduce

 

[CoralB]

UVs don’t kill they sterilize so the organism can’t reproduce

I beg to differ . Pathogens , viruses , parasites, and microorganisms can not live through ultraviolet light provided its strong enough and or has the proper amount of contact time .

 

[Thor2j]

UVs don’t kill they sterilize so the organism can’t reproduce

False, they kill plenty.

 

[Villious]

UVs don’t kill they sterilize so the organism can’t reproduce

You Sir, are 100% correct. It's refreshing to see correct information.

 

[Villious]

Duplicate

 

[Villious]

UVC Sterilization | How Aquarium & Pond UV Sterilizers Work

Information how a TRUE Aquarium, Pond UV Sterilizer/clarifier work. Category A, B, & C Sterilizers. Affect on green water, disease prevention, & Redox

www.americanaquariumproducts.com

 

[Garf]

You Sir, are 100% correct. It's refreshing to see correct information.

So when treating for a bacterial bloom, for example, and the tank is cleared within 24 hours, the bacteria have all died of old age?

 

[Aaron75]

You Sir, are 100% correct. It's refreshing to see correct information.

I don't understand, you agree that it sterilizes, even link how it works, but in your link it states UV will "Kill most suspended bacteria and many viruses in the water column"

 

[Tenecor Aquariums]

You Sir, are 100% correct. It's refreshing to see correct information.

Everyone is correct, sort of. UV sterilizers can be effective at killing certain types of pathogens, including bacteria and viruses. UV sterilization works by using short-wavelength ultraviolet (UV-C) light to destroy the genetic material in microorganisms, rendering them unable to reproduce and effectively killing them.

UV sterilization is commonly used in a variety of settings, including hospitals, laboratories, and water treatment plants, to help control the spread of infectious diseases. It is also sometimes used in household settings, such as to sterilize drinking water or to disinfect surfaces and objects.

It is important to note that UV sterilizers are not effective against all types of pathogens and may not be suitable for certain applications. It is also important to use UV sterilizers correctly and follow the manufacturer's instructions to ensure their effectiveness.

Furthermore, there is the often overlooked issue of "dwell time". Dwell time is an important factor to consider in UV sterilization. It refers to the length of time that a particular object or surface is exposed to UV light. The dwell time required for effective sterilization depends on the intensity of the UV light, the type of microorganism being targeted, and the properties of the material being sterilized.

In general, longer dwell times are typically required for more effective sterilization. This is because longer dwell times allow more UV light to be absorbed by the microorganisms, which can lead to more thorough inactivation. In some cases, very long dwell times may be necessary to achieve effective sterilization, but may also result in unwanted side effects.