UV Sterilizers

[Shagster]

Hello,

Is anyone out there running a UV sterilizer in a planted tank?? I'd like to
hear some thoughts on their value in a planted tank.... I'm having some
algae bloom issues, and I think a UV sterilizer would be a huge help!

Thanks,
Troy

[Michi Henning]

"Shagster" > wrote in message
...
> Hello,
>
> Is anyone out there running a UV sterilizer in a planted tank?? I'd like to
> hear some thoughts on their value in a planted tank.... I'm having some
> algae bloom issues, and I think a UV sterilizer would be a huge help!

I'm running a 15W sterilizer 24x7 on a 150gal tank. A sterilizer is very
effective to get rid of green water, but it won't do anything to combat
any other kind of algae.

Cheers,

Michi.

--
Michi Henning Ph: +61 4 1118-2700
ZeroC, Inc. http://www.zeroc.com

[Shagster]

Thank you. That's exactly what I wanted to hear.. Is your water
significantly "clearer" since using it?

What model do you have, and would you recommend it?

Thanks,
Troy

"Michi Henning" > wrote in message
...
> "Shagster" > wrote in message
> ...
>> Hello,
>>
>> Is anyone out there running a UV sterilizer in a planted tank?? I'd like
>> to
>> hear some thoughts on their value in a planted tank.... I'm having some
>> algae bloom issues, and I think a UV sterilizer would be a huge help!
>
> I'm running a 15W sterilizer 24x7 on a 150gal tank. A sterilizer is very
> effective to get rid of green water, but it won't do anything to combat
> any other kind of algae.
>
> Cheers,
>
> Michi.
>
> --
> Michi Henning Ph: +61 4 1118-2700
> ZeroC, Inc. http://www.zeroc.com
>

[Michi Henning]

"Shagster" > wrote in message
...

> Thank you. That's exactly what I wanted to hear.. Is your water
> significantly "clearer" since using it?

No, not really. The sterilizer cleans up green water very well. But,
once the green water is gone, there is really no difference between
running the sterilizer and not running it.

Apart from removing green water, a sterilizer generally helps to
reduce the number of floating pathogens. This can aid in keeping
diseases away, but I can't give you precise info on how much
difference that really makes. At any rate, the sterilizer does no
harm, and it might do some good with respect to desease. And
it definitely keeps green water away permanently.

> What model do you have, and would you recommend it?

I have an Aqua-UV AN-15E and I'm happy with it. There is
also an identically-sized 25W model, the Aqua-UV AN-25E.
Depending on the size of your tank, you might want to consider
that one. (The 15W model is at the limit of what you need for
150gal. If you have a larger tank, I'd go for the 25W model.)
Note that models with less than 15W are pretty much useless,
unless you have a very small tank. See

http://groups-beta.google.com/group/rec.aquaria.freshwater.misc/browse_thread/thread/339d711dd52d0f1e/bd62a065c36df0d5?q=UV+sterilizer+group:rec.aquaria .*+author:Michi+author:Henning&_done=%2Fgroups%3Fas_q%3DUV+sterilizer%26safe%3Dim ages%26as_ugroup%3Drec.aquaria.*%26as_uauthors%3DM ichi+Henning%26lr%3D%26hl%3Den%26&_doneTitle=Back+to+Search&&d#bd62a065c36df0d5

for some more info.

Also, if you buy an Aqua-UV model, be aware that they come
in two versions, the "E" model and the plain one. (So there
is an AN-15E and an AN-15.) The models without the "E"
have a conventional ballast, whereas the "E" models have
an electronic ballast. It's worth buying the electronic ballast
because it extends lamp life (12000 hours vs 8000 hours).

When you change the tube, you also have to replace the o-rings
that provide the water seal around the quartz tube that houses
the UV tube. If you buy these from Aqua-UV, the o-rings cost
an obscene amount of money. So, go to a local bearing shop or
hardware store and get same-sized o-rings there. That way,
the cost pennies instead of $20 or so. Also, buy your replacement
tubes (you will need one every 14-15 months or so) via mail
order, instead of the LFS. You'll get them at a fraction of the
price that way.

Cheers,

Michi.

--
Michi Henning Ph: +61 4 1118-2700
ZeroC, Inc. http://www.zeroc.com

[Shagster]

THANK YOU! That information was terrific. I only have a 29 gallon, so I'm
sure the 15w will be perfect.. I'll check out the Aqua.. Someone also
recommended the Turbo-Twist from Red Sea..

Thanks again,
Troy


"Michi Henning" > wrote in message
...
> "Shagster" > wrote in message
> ...
>
>> Thank you. That's exactly what I wanted to hear.. Is your water
>> significantly "clearer" since using it?
>
> No, not really. The sterilizer cleans up green water very well. But,
> once the green water is gone, there is really no difference between
> running the sterilizer and not running it.
>
> Apart from removing green water, a sterilizer generally helps to
> reduce the number of floating pathogens. This can aid in keeping
> diseases away, but I can't give you precise info on how much
> difference that really makes. At any rate, the sterilizer does no
> harm, and it might do some good with respect to desease. And
> it definitely keeps green water away permanently.
>
>> What model do you have, and would you recommend it?
>
> I have an Aqua-UV AN-15E and I'm happy with it. There is
> also an identically-sized 25W model, the Aqua-UV AN-25E.
> Depending on the size of your tank, you might want to consider
> that one. (The 15W model is at the limit of what you need for
> 150gal. If you have a larger tank, I'd go for the 25W model.)
> Note that models with less than 15W are pretty much useless,
> unless you have a very small tank. See
>
> http://groups-beta.google.com/group/rec.aquaria.freshwater.misc/browse_thread/thread/339d711dd52d0f1e/bd62a065c36df0d5?q=UV+sterilizer+group:rec.aquaria .*+author:Michi+author:Henning&_done=%2Fgroups%3Fas_q%3DUV+sterilizer%26safe%3Dim ages%26as_ugroup%3Drec.aquaria.*%26as_uauthors%3DM ichi+Henning%26lr%3D%26hl%3Den%26&_doneTitle=Back+to+Search&&d#bd62a065c36df0d5
>
> for some more info.
>
> Also, if you buy an Aqua-UV model, be aware that they come
> in two versions, the "E" model and the plain one. (So there
> is an AN-15E and an AN-15.) The models without the "E"
> have a conventional ballast, whereas the "E" models have
> an electronic ballast. It's worth buying the electronic ballast
> because it extends lamp life (12000 hours vs 8000 hours).
>
> When you change the tube, you also have to replace the o-rings
> that provide the water seal around the quartz tube that houses
> the UV tube. If you buy these from Aqua-UV, the o-rings cost
> an obscene amount of money. So, go to a local bearing shop or
> hardware store and get same-sized o-rings there. That way,
> the cost pennies instead of $20 or so. Also, buy your replacement
> tubes (you will need one every 14-15 months or so) via mail
> order, instead of the LFS. You'll get them at a fraction of the
> price that way.
>
> Cheers,
>
> Michi.
>
> --
> Michi Henning Ph: +61 4 1118-2700
> ZeroC, Inc. http://www.zeroc.com
>

[Shagster]

Ohh yeah.. Can you get that model in the USA? Also, would it be ok to
plumb it in-line with my fluval 204 filter?


"Michi Henning" > wrote in message
...
> "Shagster" > wrote in message
> ...
>
>> Thank you. That's exactly what I wanted to hear.. Is your water
>> significantly "clearer" since using it?
>
> No, not really. The sterilizer cleans up green water very well. But,
> once the green water is gone, there is really no difference between
> running the sterilizer and not running it.
>
> Apart from removing green water, a sterilizer generally helps to
> reduce the number of floating pathogens. This can aid in keeping
> diseases away, but I can't give you precise info on how much
> difference that really makes. At any rate, the sterilizer does no
> harm, and it might do some good with respect to desease. And
> it definitely keeps green water away permanently.
>
>> What model do you have, and would you recommend it?
>
> I have an Aqua-UV AN-15E and I'm happy with it. There is
> also an identically-sized 25W model, the Aqua-UV AN-25E.
> Depending on the size of your tank, you might want to consider
> that one. (The 15W model is at the limit of what you need for
> 150gal. If you have a larger tank, I'd go for the 25W model.)
> Note that models with less than 15W are pretty much useless,
> unless you have a very small tank. See
>
> http://groups-beta.google.com/group/rec.aquaria.freshwater.misc/browse_thread/thread/339d711dd52d0f1e/bd62a065c36df0d5?q=UV+sterilizer+group:rec.aquaria .*+author:Michi+author:Henning&_done=%2Fgroups%3Fas_q%3DUV+sterilizer%26safe%3Dim ages%26as_ugroup%3Drec.aquaria.*%26as_uauthors%3DM ichi+Henning%26lr%3D%26hl%3Den%26&_doneTitle=Back+to+Search&&d#bd62a065c36df0d5
>
> for some more info.
>
> Also, if you buy an Aqua-UV model, be aware that they come
> in two versions, the "E" model and the plain one. (So there
> is an AN-15E and an AN-15.) The models without the "E"
> have a conventional ballast, whereas the "E" models have
> an electronic ballast. It's worth buying the electronic ballast
> because it extends lamp life (12000 hours vs 8000 hours).
>
> When you change the tube, you also have to replace the o-rings
> that provide the water seal around the quartz tube that houses
> the UV tube. If you buy these from Aqua-UV, the o-rings cost
> an obscene amount of money. So, go to a local bearing shop or
> hardware store and get same-sized o-rings there. That way,
> the cost pennies instead of $20 or so. Also, buy your replacement
> tubes (you will need one every 14-15 months or so) via mail
> order, instead of the LFS. You'll get them at a fraction of the
> price that way.
>
> Cheers,
>
> Michi.
>
> --
> Michi Henning Ph: +61 4 1118-2700
> ZeroC, Inc. http://www.zeroc.com
>

[Michi Henning]

"Shagster" > wrote in message
...
> Ohh yeah.. Can you get that model in the USA?

I just checked, and I can't find a US distributor.
You could order one from various on-line dealers.
http://www.seame.com sell it at a good price for example.
But I'm sure that you can find equivalent ones from other
manufacturers.

> plumb it in-line with my fluval 204 filter?

Sure, I don't see why not.

Cheers,

Michi.
--
Michi Henning Ph: +61 4 1118-2700
ZeroC, Inc. http://www.zeroc.com

[Richard]

In article >,
Shagster > wrote:
>Hello,
>
>Is anyone out there running a UV sterilizer in a planted tank?? I'd like to
>hear some thoughts on their value in a planted tank.... I'm having some
>algae bloom issues, and I think a UV sterilizer would be a huge help!

Yup. Recommended.


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