I am having a recurring problem with ich. It has been suggested that I use UV sterilization as opposed to ozone as the uv will work better at killing the parasite.
I have a 250 gallon reef tank. I need suggestions on what the best UV unit is, size and flow rate. Also what pump to use. Please keep in mind that I also want something that is relatively easy to clean. I usually clean my equipment once a month. Will this be ok for a UV. I have an ozone unit in place now that is there for emergencies but my orp is always at 400. Will a UV work for killing water-born paracitic infections. Is it better than ozone.
If it's time to shop I want the best possible UV unit.
Need some input.
Thanks,
Vic

VIC,
I would not put a UV on a reef tank. I do have one on my FO tank. The U2 UV 24watt unit is what I have on my 180gal running off a rio 800. This UVunit is a double pass unit, thats why I like it. Keep in mind that the uv will kill all bad things as well as good things needed for a reef tank. I'm not saying that your reef tank woun't thrive by having a UV on it, But it can make things more difficult!
Now is it better than a ozone? I don't know, personal opinion I guess!?
If you do go with a UV just remember how long the light has been on. It will need to be replaced!

GOOD LUCK, VTEC SI

VIC a UV is not what you need to help with your ick problem. UV does kill ich floating in the water but you need to find out WHY you have ick. For some reason, your fish are not happy and are stressed therefore allowing them to be susceptible to ick. Find the root of the problem or else you will always be dealing with ick.

And really a UV shouldn't even be considered for a reef tank. Maybe for a FO but definitely not for a reef. It kills all things floating in the water, good and bad stuff. If your corals eat by filtering the water, and you have sterilized that water with your UV unit, what are your corals going to be able to eat?

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Shelly

VTech, instead of using a uv with a separate pump, it is suppose to be more effective to have it inline on your main return pump. I have an emperior aquatics 40 watt on my 200 gal.

[This message has been edited by fishrule (edited 02-14-2001).]

my understanding of ich is that it cannot survive without a host fish. So, I don't think the uv will solve your problem. I agree that you need to look at the root of the problem, not just the symptoms/effects.

Anyone help me out here. I may be mistaken, but I remeber reading somwhere that ICK is always present in a home aquarium. It is when the fish gets stressed and it's immune system is down that the ick takes hold and has a host to multiply and spread. (something like that)!![img]/ubb/confused.gif[/img]

Vtec

Hi:
I'm w/ the gang on this one...A UV unit will not stop an on going Ich outbreak... it will assist in reducing further ich outbreaks, but remember that a UV unit (or Ozone) will only kill organisms which pass thru the unit.Therefore any ich parasite on the fish, attached to the rockwork, or sand will not be killed.
Second Ozone units are far more effective at sterilzing water than Uv. Why, becuz Uv units work by generating intracellular OZONE(FREE OXYGEN RADICALS) which break DNA. Ozone units put our far more O3 than Uv units and as such must be controlled.
My guess is when you find out whats causing the stressor in your tank the ICH will disappear, otherwise a UV sterilzer won't stop it, It might slow it down
my opinion
frank

I e-mailed a marine biologist, and he said that a UV is very effective at controlling ick. What a uv is suppose to do is keep the bacterial/parasites down to a minimum, just like they would be in the ocean.

[This message has been edited by fishrule (edited 02-16-2001).]

Hey Fishrule,

How do I Hook up my U2 UV hang on unit to my sedra ksp 12000a pump? The pump can be submersable or inline, I have it hooked up as a submersable now. And I really do not want to drill my sump!

Vtec

A UV may be good at controlling ick but you shouldn't have an ick problem in the first place. Find out why you have ick and address that. No UV needed and did the marine biologist also say that UV light kills ALL organisms that pass through it (assuming it is regulated properly and the bulbs are changed often).

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Shelly

Hi:
did your marine biologist contact also mention that ONLY the ich parasite which passes thru the Uv unit will be killed? The problem w/ the UV unit and ich is that the Uv will have NO effect on the on-going ich infection, the ich which is attached to or in your main tank will not go thru the Uv unit until it goes free floating. So yes the Uv unit will reduce the amount of free-floating parasite but it has No effect on the current attched ones.
Also you mention hooking it up to your main pump, if you can ensure you match the flow rate thru the Uv unit w/ the manufacturers recommendation. One aspect of Uv is that the organism must have the correct dwell time in front of the Uv to be effective killed, therefore slow flow rates are usually better. (also change bulbs yearly)
my opinion
frank

Good points Frank. The residence time under the UV is the critical item. If the recommended flow rate is exceeded you accomplish nothing. Probably the easiest solution is to split the return into two streams, one routed through the UV light and the other directly to the tank though a control valve. The valve can be used to throttle the second stream until the optimum flow through the UV is achieved.

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Good decisions come from experience. Experience comes from bad decisions.

Frank, anything we can do to cut down unwanted bacteria/parasites, etc. will help our fish do better. Next time you need a shot to prevent a future disease. Don't get one, because it will not stop the possible future disease totally, something like that. This is just being proactive. If you want to email the marine biologist it is at MarineBio@thatpetplace.com

I agree i whouldnt use an U.V. I whould try to find the source of th ICK.
Thanks,
blue

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Got Salt