Opinions on UV Filters requested

[Michael]

I request your feedback and comments on using a UV filter on a 55 G
freshwater aquarium. I would appreciate all comments and specific
feedback on the following:

I don't think I will be able to have space for a quarantine tank. I am
wondering if using an appropriate sized UV filter would keep any
potential parasites from spreading when inducing new fish.

Would the filter be beneficial in keeping the water nice and clear?
(Preventative maintenance) Note: I still plan on changing some of the
water biweekly along with vacuuming the gravel)

Thanks for your feedback.

Michael

[Elaine T]

Michael wrote:
> I request your feedback and comments on using a UV filter on a 55 G
> freshwater aquarium. I would appreciate all comments and specific
> feedback on the following:
>
> I don't think I will be able to have space for a quarantine tank. I am
> wondering if using an appropriate sized UV filter would keep any
> potential parasites from spreading when inducing new fish.
>
> Would the filter be beneficial in keeping the water nice and clear?
> (Preventative maintenance) Note: I still plan on changing some of the
> water biweekly along with vacuuming the gravel)
>
> Thanks for your feedback.
>
> Michael
>
>
Are you going to plant the tank? If so, using UV constantly will strip
the water of many desirable plant nutrients and you will have trouble
maintaining adequate iron levels. UV units also ozidize important
vitamins like ascorbate and at one point were thought to contribute to
hole and lateral line erosion in South American cichlids. I'm not sure
whether that thinking is still current.

UV units used occasionally are great for treating ich, and preventing
diseases from spreading. They reduce bacterial load in the water column
after a fish has been sick, and keep protozoan parasites from spreading
during an acute outbreak. If you can afford one for occasional use, get
one, by all means.

UV cannot replace a hospital/quarantine tank when it comes to treating
an already sick fish or purchasing new fish. There are many very useful
treatments best administered in a hospital tank, including antibiotics,
copper, and permanganate. You also risk having a newly purchased sick
fish die in your display tank. There are some very nasty diseases,
including fish TB and "neon disease", that are transmitted when a
healthy fish snacks on a dead one. Quarantine of new fish keeps deaths
out of the display tank and away from your healthy pets.

If your fish are going to be small, like tetras, barbs, small cichlids,
and even angelfish, a 5 or even 2.5 gallon tank can serve as an adequate
hospital. Mine's 2.5 gallons and fine for my guppies and other small
fish as long as I'm strict about water changes.

--
Elaine T __
http://eethomp.com/fish.html <'__><
rec.aquaria.* FAQ http://faq.thekrib.com

[Elaine T]

Michael wrote:
> I request your feedback and comments on using a UV filter on a 55 G
> freshwater aquarium. I would appreciate all comments and specific
> feedback on the following:
>
> I don't think I will be able to have space for a quarantine tank. I am
> wondering if using an appropriate sized UV filter would keep any
> potential parasites from spreading when inducing new fish.
>
> Would the filter be beneficial in keeping the water nice and clear?
> (Preventative maintenance) Note: I still plan on changing some of the
> water biweekly along with vacuuming the gravel)
>
> Thanks for your feedback.
>
> Michael
>
>
Missed one. You water will be clear with or without UV unless you're
doing something horribly wrong.

--
Elaine T __
http://eethomp.com/fish.html <'__><
rec.aquaria.* FAQ http://faq.thekrib.com

[Ray Martini]

I'll throw in my 2 cents here. I would use the UV light when there is a
problem ONLY. No need to have it on 24/7. Despite the controversy over UV
sterilizers, my unit literally saved my reef tank when it had a major ich
outbreak. So I swear by it. However the rule of thumb is a UV is not a good
preventative but is good when a problem exists.

It will kill free swimming protozoa only. Not the ones already attached to
your fish. And from what I've read, anything under 15 watts won't kill
protozoa at all. I still have the 15 watt Gamma model on my reef tank but I
don't plug it in until I have to. I've read that they're great in a Discus
tanks. Haven't had Discus in years so I can't verify that.

YMMV


"Michael" > wrote in message
news:1maBe.170074$xm3.84747@attbi_s21...
>I request your feedback and comments on using a UV filter on a 55 G
> freshwater aquarium. I would appreciate all comments and specific
> feedback on the following:
>
> I don't think I will be able to have space for a quarantine tank. I am
> wondering if using an appropriate sized UV filter would keep any
> potential parasites from spreading when inducing new fish.
>
> Would the filter be beneficial in keeping the water nice and clear?
> (Preventative maintenance) Note: I still plan on changing some of the
> water biweekly along with vacuuming the gravel)
>
> Thanks for your feedback.
>
> Michael
>
>