Shrimpie Posted January 13, 2015 Report Share Posted January 13, 2015 So anyone ever tried using a UV Sterilizer for a bacteria bloom or algae bloom? What were your experiences? Alfrediacag 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
metageologist Posted January 13, 2015 Report Share Posted January 13, 2015 I use them while I'm cycling a tank. I have found that it prevents the blooms. I tried this after I had a green water out break that was impossible to knock out. Shrimpie 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shrimpie Posted January 13, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 13, 2015 In your experience Doc, do you think once you started using the UV Sterilizer you had to continue using it - or else the bloom would start back up? I am experiencing a bacteria bloom in my 10 gallon tank. I ordered a 5 watt one to try. I sure hope it will work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
metageologist Posted January 13, 2015 Report Share Posted January 13, 2015 In your experience Doc, do you think once you started using the UV Sterilizer you had to continue using it - or else the bloom would start back up? I am experiencing a bacteria bloom in my 10 gallon tank. I ordered a 5 watt one to try. I sure hope it will work.I remove mine once the bloom has been cleared for a month. Shrimpie 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jadenlea Posted January 13, 2015 Report Share Posted January 13, 2015 what about for the dreaded bacterial infection Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
metageologist Posted January 13, 2015 Report Share Posted January 13, 2015 what about for the dreaded bacterial infectionSame deal, if it returns something is out of whack and needs to be addressed by other means. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soothing Shrimp Posted January 13, 2015 Report Share Posted January 13, 2015 This is good to know! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jadenlea Posted January 13, 2015 Report Share Posted January 13, 2015 I had one on my large fish tank and loved how crystal clear it kept the water but the light died and I never fixed it or got a new one. I wonder if it would help the tank o death... though there have been no deaths this week Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shrimpie Posted January 13, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 13, 2015 Here is an interesting article that explains the use of UV Sterilizers: http://www.americanaquariumproducts.com/aquariumuvsterilization.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jadenlea Posted January 13, 2015 Report Share Posted January 13, 2015 zomg I tried to read that Shrimpie.. I really did.. but it got way to technical. Just tell me what kind to buy and Ill buy it lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shrimpie Posted January 13, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 13, 2015 Jadenlea - LOL - I know I found myself starting to snore while I was trying to read it. Some of our more scientist geeks would probably get a kick out of reading it. Here is what I purchased for my 10 gallon: http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B008AJHUME/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Apparently, from what I was able to comprehend from the article, these smaller compact sterilizers will probably act more like water clarifiers - not sterilizers. The clarifiers will clear the water of the bacteria blooms, algae green water blooms, but will not "sterilize" the water so as to prevent disease or parasites. But for me, I think the water clarifier is okay to start. They will not have any affect on the biological bed that is developed on the filter media, substrate or decorations in the tank. Soothing Shrimp and metageologist 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jadenlea Posted January 14, 2015 Report Share Posted January 14, 2015 Been in live help chat with fosters and smith for a half hr now.. they cant figure it out either hehe... I dont feel so dumb now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chibikaie Posted January 14, 2015 Report Share Posted January 14, 2015 Here is an interesting article that explains the use of UV Sterilizers: http://www.americanaquariumproducts.com/aquariumuvsterilization.html Okay, I literally cannot finish reading that article. Does he not realize that he sounds like a complete quack? He might be right, but he does not sound trustworthy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dendrobatez Posted January 14, 2015 Report Share Posted January 14, 2015 Read the article on the bus ride to work. Seems to me he is saying the main problem with common/cheap sterilizers is that the flow rate is generally too high so there isn't enough water contact with the bulb to actually kill bacteria but will help control algae. The second point that caught my attention was the space between the bulb and the sidewall of the sterilizer (where the water flows) is too great so the intensity becomes too weak for bacterial/virus control. Some of the other points and equations used are then made sort of useless (such as the flow rate per watt ratio) as the author then says it all depends on the actual design (and proper placement) of the unit itself. The article is hard to read as it jumps around alot so I feel like it's updated a lot and some of the original main thoughts are lost. Soothing Shrimp 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chibikaie Posted January 14, 2015 Report Share Posted January 14, 2015 Thank you! Those are certainly valid concerns. Poor guy needs an editor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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