Ozone or UV Sterilizer Question

Would you consider buying and using distilled water from the
supermarket instead? Your tap water is surely adding
nitrates and phosphates to your tank, and this will
continuously feed and fuel the GHA in your tank. Did you
already read this article?

http://www.melevsreef.com/gha.html

I've not used a sterilizer because it will kill good
bacteria along with the bad bacteria.

I've not used ozone, but if you do be sure to read up on how
to keep using it safely.

Marc


Microbot wrote:

I have read on a website that UV Sterilizers can reduce unwanted Algae, is
this true and if so, then how effective is this against the Algae?
Also, I was told a while back by a LFS that Ozone kits are effective for
reducing and/or removing Algae problems, once again, is this true and how
effective is this method against Algae problems?
Last question is that if both can do this, then which one of these methods
would be the best and safest method to use??

I have a Green Hair Algae problem in my tank that is driving me insane, I
dont have filtered fresh water to add yet so it is straight from the tap,
Yes i know that a water filter will no doubt be my best answer but at Filter
prices here in Australia, it isn't on my shopping list just yet, UV and
Ozone are way cheaper options and if they can assist me battling this Algae
untill I can afford a good Water Filter then that's ok to me.
Any help is muchly appreciated.

Thanks in advance
Microbot



--
Personal Page:
http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com

Yes thanks Marc, I have read your articles and would gladly buy distilled
water if it was cheap enough.
I saw in a thread once that where you guys are it is a rather cheap option,
but here in Australia where i am, I cant find it anywhere close to as cheap.
Just the price alone of the container that holds the water is not cheap
here.
My nitrites are so low they barely register on my test kit.
My Phosphate detects nothing on both the tanks water and my Tap water.
Lighting time is at present 6 hours, Algae seems to grow even if the lights
are off..
I dont mix my water, I use natural seawater..

Cheers
Microbot

"Marc Levenson" wrote in message
om...
Would you consider buying and using distilled water from the supermarket
instead? Your tap water is surely adding nitrates and phosphates to your
tank, and this will continuously feed and fuel the GHA in your tank. Did
you already read this article?

http://www.melevsreef.com/gha.html

I've not used a sterilizer because it will kill good bacteria along with
the bad bacteria.

I've not used ozone, but if you do be sure to read up on how to keep using
it safely.

Marc


Microbot wrote:

I have read on a website that UV Sterilizers can reduce unwanted Algae,
is this true and if so, then how effective is this against the Algae?
Also, I was told a while back by a LFS that Ozone kits are effective for
reducing and/or removing Algae problems, once again, is this true and how
effective is this method against Algae problems?
Last question is that if both can do this, then which one of these
methods would be the best and safest method to use??

I have a Green Hair Algae problem in my tank that is driving me insane, I
dont have filtered fresh water to add yet so it is straight from the tap,
Yes i know that a water filter will no doubt be my best answer but at
Filter prices here in Australia, it isn't on my shopping list just yet,
UV and Ozone are way cheaper options and if they can assist me battling
this Algae untill I can afford a good Water Filter then that's ok to me.
Any help is muchly appreciated.

Thanks in advance
Microbot



--
Personal Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com

On Thu, 3 Feb 2005 21:47:16 +1000, "Microbot"
wrote:

Yes thanks Marc, I have read your articles and would gladly buy distilled
water if it was cheap enough.
I saw in a thread once that where you guys are it is a rather cheap option,
but here in Australia where i am, I cant find it anywhere close to as cheap.
Just the price alone of the container that holds the water is not cheap
here.


Use plastic fuel containers. New of course, old detergent 60 gallon
drums and cooking oil containers are nice as well as garbage cans.

Finding a container is not a problem, it is finding a source of the water to
put in the container!
Purified water just is NOT cheap here, Just water purifiers for your home
taps that you can buy at hardware stores can start at around $399.

Cheers
Microbot

"kryppy" wrote in message
...
On Thu, 3 Feb 2005 21:47:16 +1000, "Microbot"
wrote:

Yes thanks Marc, I have read your articles and would gladly buy distilled
water if it was cheap enough.
I saw in a thread once that where you guys are it is a rather cheap
option,
but here in Australia where i am, I cant find it anywhere close to as
cheap.
Just the price alone of the container that holds the water is not cheap
here.


Use plastic fuel containers. New of course, old detergent 60 gallon
drums and cooking oil containers are nice as well as garbage cans.

What does a gallon of distilled water cost at the
supermarket? Here is runs about .50 a gallon, maybe .10
less or .20 more depending on the store.

Do you have snails in the tank to help eat the algae that
you can't pick off?

Marc


Microbot wrote:

Finding a container is not a problem, it is finding a source of the water to
put in the container!
Purified water just is NOT cheap here, Just water purifiers for your home
taps that you can buy at hardware stores can start at around $399.

Cheers
Microbot

"kryppy" wrote in message
...

On Thu, 3 Feb 2005 21:47:16 +1000, "Microbot"
wrote:


Yes thanks Marc, I have read your articles and would gladly buy distilled
water if it was cheap enough.
I saw in a thread once that where you guys are it is a rather cheap
option,
but here in Australia where i am, I cant find it anywhere close to as
cheap.
Just the price alone of the container that holds the water is not cheap
here.


Use plastic fuel containers. New of course, old detergent 60 gallon
drums and cooking oil containers are nice as well as garbage cans.






--
Personal Page:
http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com

I have never heard of anyone anywhere close to hear where i am in Australia
(Queensland) selling distilled water or any kind of water in anything larger
than 1-2 litres drinking water bottles... And at the cost they sell that
water for, it is not an option.
Small drinking bottle (mineral water they call it) around $2.50 AU which is
somewhere near $4.50 US...per small bottle (600ml).

I do have some snails in the tank, I used to have many snails but i have
notices that since the weed took over, alot of the snails abd Hermits have
seemed to have disapeared...
Alot of empty shells laying around now, though there are many NEW tiny red
shelled Snails in the tank. very small and almost translucent.

Cheers
Microbot


"Marc Levenson" wrote in message
. com...
What does a gallon of distilled water cost at the supermarket? Here is
runs about .50 a gallon, maybe .10 less or .20 more depending on the
store.

Do you have snails in the tank to help eat the algae that you can't pick
off?

Marc


Microbot wrote:

Finding a container is not a problem, it is finding a source of the water
to put in the container!
Purified water just is NOT cheap here, Just water purifiers for your home
taps that you can buy at hardware stores can start at around $399.

Cheers
Microbot

"kryppy" wrote in message
...

On Thu, 3 Feb 2005 21:47:16 +1000, "Microbot"
wrote:


Yes thanks Marc, I have read your articles and would gladly buy
distilled
water if it was cheap enough.
I saw in a thread once that where you guys are it is a rather cheap
option,
but here in Australia where i am, I cant find it anywhere close to as
cheap.
Just the price alone of the container that holds the water is not cheap
here.


Use plastic fuel containers. New of course, old detergent 60 gallon
drums and cooking oil containers are nice as well as garbage cans.






--
Personal Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com

On Fri, 4 Feb 2005 15:26:01 +1000, "Microbot"
wrote:

Finding a container is not a problem, it is finding a source of the water to
put in the container!
Purified water just is NOT cheap here, Just water purifiers for your home
taps that you can buy at hardware stores can start at around $399.


I use ocean water also.
I do use a small amount of RO/DI, but with enough fresh ocean water
you can practically forget about it....I was listing what I use to
haul mine from the sea.
I got a great RO/DI filter from Canada for $100 US. How is shipping
to AU?

Shipping is pretty expensive shipping them over here from what i remember.
We looked into buying one from in the US and shipping it here but from
memory shipping nearly doubles the cost..
We did find a place in AUS that has them and the prices are not too bad, but
the wallet refuses to let go of the cash just yet. hehe
Have a few other bills etc to get out of the way first, which is why i was
asking about Ozone and UV efficiency against the weed.

Looks like I'll have to get a Water Filter....
I'll also remove the Canister Filter and Hangon Filter just in case it IS
feeding the problem..

Cheers
Microbot

"kryppy" wrote in message
...
I use ocean water also.
I do use a small amount of RO/DI, but with enough fresh ocean water
you can practically forget about it....I was listing what I use to
haul mine from the sea.
I got a great RO/DI filter from Canada for $100 US. How is shipping
to AU?

You don't need to remove canister and hang on. They are good for
circulation. Just remove the media from them. If you remove whole media all
at once it can lead to amonia and nitrite rise because you removed oxidizing
bacteria and new bacteria didn't have enough time to colonize in numbers
needed for amonia and nitrite reduction. Remove it slowly over, say two
weeks. You can also put some good qualitiy activated carbon inside of
canister.
The fact nitrates are low is because of algae growing in your tank. They are
depleeting nitrate so you can't read it on your test but that doesn't mean
that your aquarim is not producing too much nitrate.
I'm also suspicious of mud. It also can produce nitrates. Especialy if it is
not something already tested in aquarium. You should let your friend to
experiment in his tank not yours.
It is common now among SPS keepers to run barebottom tanks to avoid buildup
of detritus that leads to nitrate problems. If you don't watn to have
barebotom then I suggest regular sifoning of crushed coral.
Ozone can help but it isn't mirracle. If you don't do other things right it
won't do much.

Mislav

"Microbot" wrote in message
...
Shipping is pretty expensive shipping them over here from what i remember.
We looked into buying one from in the US and shipping it here but from
memory shipping nearly doubles the cost..
We did find a place in AUS that has them and the prices are not too bad,
but the wallet refuses to let go of the cash just yet. hehe
Have a few other bills etc to get out of the way first, which is why i was
asking about Ozone and UV efficiency against the weed.

Looks like I'll have to get a Water Filter....
I'll also remove the Canister Filter and Hangon Filter just in case it IS
feeding the problem..

Cheers
Microbot

"kryppy" wrote in message
...
I use ocean water also.
I do use a small amount of RO/DI, but with enough fresh ocean water
you can practically forget about it....I was listing what I use to
haul mine from the sea.
I got a great RO/DI filter from Canada for $100 US. How is shipping
to AU?