Ozone and UV vs. Marine Fish Diseases

[mistermikev]

What can you tell me about ozone, ozonators, and their effects on ich? aslo uv sterilizer, it's effects on ich and its effects on other "good things" in the water?

[leebca]

You'll find a paragraph devoted to ozone and UV value as it relates to Marine Ich and Marine Velvet in these posts:
Marine Ich - Myths and Facts
and
Marine Velvet - Myths and Facts

Ozone has the ability to kill some parasites, but not all parasite that do go through the unit will be killed. Of course, not all parasites have to go through the unit, anyway. Ozone should not be bought nor used for parasite control.

The UV unit is most effective at killing parasites. But only those parasites that pass through the unit will be killed. The UV unit must (of course) be properly sized (energy) and operating at the proper flow rate, in order to kill the parasites that pass through it. Of course, not all parasites have to go through the unit. UV can prevent large blooms of bacteria and free-swimming parasites but it can't stop them nor prevent them. UV should not be bought nor used for parasite prevention. It can be bought and used to control over population of parasites (blooms).

Each (ozone and UV) helps clarify the water. UV kills micro algae very effectively and is used quite a bit in ponds.

It is known that for those aquarists who keep a refugium containing Caulerpa sp. macro algae, that this algae releases a chemical group known as phycocolloids into the water. These are Aloe Vera-like substances which actually are known to coat fish and make them less sensitive to skin irritations and diseases. These plants have been attributed to contribute anti-bacterial substances into the water too. There are still many things we don’t know about the role refugium macro algae may play in the health and well being of our marine aquarium fishes. Anyway. . .These kinds of proteins are destroyed or altered by the use of ozone and UV, so in a sense, these units can cancel these kinds of benefits.

Obviously, you'll find that in certain medications and treatment instructions, these units have to be turned off. This is because these units destroy or alter the medications being used. So in essence, if you add vitamins to the water or other organic additives, you can expect these units to destroy or alter their value as an additive.

[mistermikev]

didn't get an email on this one and just stumbled across it... thanks for the answers... they were along the lines of what I thought. I have read debate on other sites as to wether they could "whipe out" ich and thought I would get a more trustworthy viewpoint. thanks

[vaporize]

It is known that for those aquarists who keep a refugium containing Caulerpa sp. macro algae, that this algae releases a chemical group known as phycocolloids into the water. These are Aloe Vera-like substances which actually are known to coat fish and make them less sensitive to skin irritations and diseases. These plants have been attributed to contribute anti-bacterial substances into the water too. There are still many things we don’t know about the role refugium macro algae may play in the health and well being of our marine aquarium fishes. Anyway. . .These kinds of proteins are destroyed or altered by the use of ozone and UV, so in a sense, these units can cancel these kinds of benefits.

It is interesting to know this, does this Aloe Vera sustance actually produced by all Caulpera species? I remembered one type of caulpera (feather like) actually produce toxins that inhibits coral growth, I cannot remember correctly if it is Caulerpa toxicfolia.

[leebca]

The chemical is common of the Caulerpa sp. I don't know of any variation. That doesn't mean that other plants (including Caulerpa sp.) don't produce additional or other chemicals.

[vaporize]

so does that mean we should start growing caulpera in our QTs?

[leebca]

No. But you could start using mucous 'lotions.'