Yes UV Light Does Work

[Steve Blum]

2 years ago I bought and installed a cheap 24W UV from AA Green killing Machine. I read countless posts that said this UV couldn't work. I will beg to differ. It is the slow flow rate of the water through the UV light that makes it effective, 70GPH on my 120G tank. I have been Vodka Dosing for a Nitrate problem and turned off my UV for 2 weeks until I realized that UV had little effect on the Bacteria.

Within 2 weeks one of my fish a Rock Beauty came down with Ich. Consequently I* removed him. A few of the fish showed some scratching but I could find no disease. I started up my UV and did a 30% water Change. Within a week all fish were fine and no more scratching.

Yes UV even a cheap one can work. It is the water flow through the UV light that determines if it will work 70G/hr

 

[ZoWhat]

I've used this submersible UVC in the sump with GREAT success! Nothing better, just make sure blue light doesn't shine on anything living. Including YOU



https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01L...dpPl=1&dpID=41J1YNvrQQL&ref=plSrch&th=1&psc=1

 

[Steve Blum]

Skimjim that is cheaper than mine also light lasts much longer. Mine is also a 24W, unfortunately I don't have a sump, and it would be pain to block off UV and have water go through the block device.

 

[Leaellynasaura]

Does anyone know if this type of light is harmful to a Rubbermaid sump? Also, do you run the light 24/7?

 

[Steve Blum]

I run the light 24/7 although you probably can run it less. The Bulb lasts about 8 months and it is a small price to pay for healthy fish.

 

[NoWaiAma]

I actually have the green killing machine in the box still. I’ve been **** on in numerous groups for considering it. But like all things in this hobby people are passionate about worked for them.

I’ll likely try it.

Ty for the post

 

[User1]

2 years ago I bought and installed a cheap 24W UV from AA Green killing Machine. I read countless posts that said this UV couldn't work. I will beg to differ. It is the slow flow rate of the water through the UV light that makes it effective, 70GPH on my 120G tank. I have been Vodka Dosing for a Nitrate problem and turned off my UV for 2 weeks until I realized that UV had little effect on the Bacteria.

Within 2 weeks one of my fish a Rock Beauty came down with Ich. Consequently I* removed him. A few of the fish showed some scratching but I could find no disease. I started up my UV and did a 30% water Change. Within a week all fish were fine and no more scratching.

Yes UV even a cheap one can work. It is the water flow through the UV light that determines if it will work 70G/hr

I'm not going to say you are wrong nor am I going to say that is what saved you. I will say, however, that I don't run UV and none of my fish have Ich. I think it is a tool, like any other, that some will choose to use while others do not. Not sure what the breakdown is or if it really matters. But hey - if it works for you that is really great and all that matters.

 

[Instigate]

2 years ago I bought and installed a cheap 24W UV from AA Green killing Machine. I read countless posts that said this UV couldn't work. I will beg to differ. It is the slow flow rate of the water through the UV light that makes it effective, 70GPH on my 120G tank. I have been Vodka Dosing for a Nitrate problem and turned off my UV for 2 weeks until I realized that UV had little effect on the Bacteria.

Within 2 weeks one of my fish a Rock Beauty came down with Ich. Consequently I* removed him. A few of the fish showed some scratching but I could find no disease. I started up my UV and did a 30% water Change. Within a week all fish were fine and no more scratching.

Yes UV even a cheap one can work. It is the water flow through the UV light that determines if it will work 70G/hr

The UV is likely helping keep the numbers of parasites down so that it's not bothering your fish too much but it's not going to eradicate ich from your tank. Only way to do that would be to treat all fish with copper or CP in a QT and go fishless in the DT for 76 days. But like @saf1 said, if it works for you that's great.

 

[Steve Blum]

Instigate you are very correct. I had Ich many years ago and I didn't let my tank stay fallow so I am sure I have some parasites but they are very low much lower than the fish have on the reef

 

[Steve Blum]

I'm not going to say you are wrong nor am I going to say that is what saved you. I will say, however, that I don't run UV and none of my fish have Ich. I think it is a tool, like any other, that some will choose to use while others do not. Not sure what the breakdown is or if it really matters. But hey - if it works for you that is really great and all that matters.

Yes it makes a difference for me since I had Ich many years ago and I didn't Fallow the tank. In my case the UV light keeps the parasites lower than in the natural environment.

 

[Steve Blum]

I actually have the green killing machine in the box still. I’ve been **** on in numerous groups for considering it. But like all things in this hobby people are passionate about worked for them.

I’ll likely try it.

Ty for the post

Yes I had the same response from others however it seems to work for me and the bulb lasts for 8 months. in the 2 plus years I have used the UV I only had a parasite problem 2 weeks after I stopped using the UV. After a turn on about 8 days later no more dangerous infestation.

 

[Instigate]

Instigate you are very correct. I had Ich many years ago and I didn't let my tank stay fallow so I am sure I have some parasites but they are very low much lower than the fish have on the reef

Oh good. From your first post it sounded like you might have assumed no spots=no ich. However I'm not sure how we know how many parasites are on fish in your tank or on the reef. Just that it's not enough to bother them.

 

[Forsaken77]

2 years ago I bought and installed a cheap 24W UV from AA Green killing Machine. I read countless posts that said this UV couldn't work. I will beg to differ. It is the slow flow rate of the water through the UV light that makes it effective, 70GPH on my 120G tank. I have been Vodka Dosing for a Nitrate problem and turned off my UV for 2 weeks until I realized that UV had little effect on the Bacteria.

Within 2 weeks one of my fish a Rock Beauty came down with Ich. Consequently I* removed him. A few of the fish showed some scratching but I could find no disease. I started up my UV and did a 30% water Change. Within a week all fish were fine and no more scratching.

Yes UV even a cheap one can work. It is the water flow through the UV light that determines if it will work 70G/hr

Have you considered the ich to be in another stage of the life cycle, where they fall off the fish to the substrate?

I had 2 of those 24 watt units running in my 93 cube and thought they left a LOT to be desired. Too many cords & boxes, bulky, ect... I would put them at algae reduction at best. I don't feel the bulb is strong enough to eradicate parasites.

I believe I have 3 brand new replacement bulbs for it if your interested. I threw the units away and got something else. I may have thrown away the replacement bulbs to save space, but I'll check if you want replacements.

 

[hatfielj]

I was also pleasantly surprised to learn that UV works. I was quite skeptical at first. But, I installed an 80 watt unit on my 250gal system after I discovered ich on a few of my tangs (including an achilles and a hippo). Since I installed it, I haven't seen a single spot on them. I honestly can't believe it. I was certain I was going to lose them. It's been over 3 months now and they are as fat and healthy as ever.
I have pretty slow flow through the unit, plus it's quite a powerful bulb. I run it 24/7. Well worth it though.
This is the unit I use: https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/emperor-aquatics-smart-high-output-uv-80-watt.html

 

[Waters]

While I do agree that UV can be effective (I have always ran one on my tanks), the chance of the Green Killing Machine killing parasites is extremely slim due to its design. Parasites need exposure to the UV light much longer than that unit can provide, even if you slow it way down. Once you do slow it down, it makes it impossible to even keep up with the demands of the tank. It does work great for bacteria and algae though....I have cleaned a few freshwater tanks of green water overnight with that model. For parasites, I would recommend a much larger one like the Pentair Aquatics units. That being said, even the largest UV unit will not eliminate Ich but it can help keep it at bay.

 

[Steve Blum]

I was also pleasantly surprised to learn that UV works. I was quite skeptical at first. But, I installed an 80 watt unit on my 250gal system after I discovered ich on a few of my tangs (including an achilles and a hippo). Since I installed it, I haven't seen a single spot on them. I honestly can't believe it. I was certain I was going to lose them. It's been over 3 months now and they are as fat and healthy as ever.
I have pretty slow flow through the unit, plus it's quite a powerful bulb. I run it 24/7. Well worth it though.
This is the unit I use: https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/emperor-aquatics-smart-high-output-uv-80-watt.html

You have a nice unit plenty big much better than mine. We have had a aimilar experience glad you responded