Exposing Zoa Frags to UV

[Exus]

I'm moving some zoa frags out of a tank with Dino. I want to directly expose the frags to a 13w UV bulb before I do a hydrogen peroxide bath. Will the Zoas get damaged or die from the exposer? Planning to do 10-15 seconds of UV.

 

[Patx]

Peroxide dip for zoa, will kill dino
Why uv the zoa ?

 

[Fish Fan]

If you're trying to beat back algae, hydrogen peroxide is safe for Zoa's. Having a UV bulb just shinning outside of some kind of enclosure is dangerous for both your coral and you.

I've safely used the concentrations and exposure times here for Zoa's:
https://humble.fish/community/threads/peroxide-dipping-guidelines-for-corals.4715/

 

[Exus]

Peroxide dip for zoa, will kill dino
Why uv the zoa ?

I recently bought something called the UV sweeper that shines UV directly on the sand Bed and it worked wonders for Dino at least temporarily. Sand Bed was crystal clear for a few days. So since I had it, I thought why not shine it on the zoa frags as a insurance in case they make it through the peroxide. The UV is partially shielded, only the portion facing down is exposed.

 

[Fish Fan]

This thing?
https://3dreefing.com/collections/frontpage/products/sand-bed-uv-sweeper
I've never heard of that and honestly it seems dangerous to me. UV light can cause blindness, I would not look directly at the light, and honestly I wouldn't expose fish or corals to it either.

I don't pretend to be an expert on anything, it could be that it's UV-C or that it's at a low level so it is safe, but that's totally new to me.

 

[Fish Fan]

So it looks like the guy that developed this UV gizmo is on R2R:
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/sand-bed-uv-sweeper-by-3dreefing-has-anyone-tried-it.1066245/
@Moe K I am just wondering if this is safe for both people and fish/corals/inverts? In the post I linked above above, you compared it to a poison in your cabinet that you should know better not to drink. What happens if a poor snail crawls into the "spotlight" so to speak? I personally would not expose a Zoa to UV light for any real length of time. I think hydrogen peroxide may be effective and arguably safer for the OP.

I have a background in biology, and we used to sanitize work areas with UV light. I know it really doesn't kill anything, it just more or less scrambles DNA so microbes cannot reproduce. But it is energetic and can be harmful to tissue. Is this really safe? I'm genuinely asking. Thank you in advance for your help!

 

[Patx]

I recently bought something called the UV sweeper that shines UV directly on the sand Bed and it worked wonders for Dino at least temporarily. Sand Bed was crystal clear for a few days. So since I had it, I thought why not shine it on the zoa frags as a insurance in case they make it through the peroxide. The UV is partially shielded, only the portion facing down is exposed.

Peroxyde is quite effective.

But uv on zoa in tank ?
:thinking-face: Be the first to test :beaming-face-with-smiling-eyes:

 

[Fish Fan]

Peroxyde is quite effective.

But uv on zoa in tank ?
:thinking-face: Be the first to test :beaming-face-with-smiling-eyes:

I shouldn't say this, so just between you and me...... But I might :-)

I'm sure there's someone with some overgrown something, like Zoa's or GSP or Xenia that would be willing to try this lol!

I am 100% unfamiliar with this methodology, I don't mean to bash, but I am skeptical largely out of concerns for the safety of the reef keeper, their family (who may not have a clue what they are looking directly into), and for our non-aquatic pets who absolutely have no idea that UV light could cause blindness.

I have absolutely zero doubt that casting UV light on one's sandbed will beat back Dinos and other microorganisms. My concern is what happens to fish who swim through it? Or a snail that gets the sunburn of its life?

I'm really not trying to bash anyone's innovative product, but I am always concerned for safety when employing UV radiation.

@BeanAnimal this seems right up your alley, if you have a moment, I think we'd all appreciate your help here as always :)

 

[Miami Reef]

The UV will almost certainly kill the corals.

If it were me, I’d raise phosphate to at least 0.10ppm and dose silicate. They should fade away with time.

I wouldn’t bother with peroxide or dips; the dinos will go right back.

 

[Fish Fan]

The UV will almost certainly kill the corals.

If it were me, I’d raise phosphate to at least 0.10ppm and dose silicate. They should fade away with time.

The Calvary is here! Thank you for your reply and help here :)

 

[Miami Reef]

The Calvary is here! Thank you for your reply and help here :)

lol

You gave some really good advice. I would be very cautious about handling an exposed UV bulb.

 

[Fish Fan]

lol

You gave some really good advice here. I would be very cautious about handling an exposed UV bulb.

Exactly!!! Thank you, I thought I was the only one here :)

 

[Patx]

lol

You gave some really good advice. I would be very cautious about handling an exposed UV bulb.

i would like to know, this uv lamp, in water and going through the aquarium glass... can it be "dangerous" outside of the tank ?

 

[PharmrJohn]

This thing?
https://3dreefing.com/collections/frontpage/products/sand-bed-uv-sweeper
I've never heard of that and honestly it seems dangerous to me. UV light can cause blindness, I would not look directly at the light, and honestly I wouldn't expose fish or corals to it either.

I don't pretend to be an expert on anything, it could be that it's UV-C or that it's at a low level so it is safe, but that's totally new to me.

I'm with ya on this. I don't like the idea of exposed UV lights at all. Not one little bit.

 

[Fish Fan]

I'm with ya on this. I don't like the idea of exposed UV lights at all. Not one little bit.

Thank you brother! Again, I was feeling like I was the only one here. Glad to see you :)

 

[PharmrJohn]

Ohhhh you ain't alone! I'm always VERY careful when I'm doing maintenance on my furnace. We have a UV filter attached. I BOTH turn off the light AND unplug it for good measure. In that order, just in case I turn idiot and unplug the wrong plug. I never tempt fate with UV.

And it's good to see ya too. I kind of disappeared there for a bit!!!!

 

[Fish Fan]

Ohhhh you ain't alone! I'm always VERY careful when I'm doing maintenance on my furnace. We have a UV filter attached. I BOTH turn off the light AND unplug it for good measure. In that order, just in case I turn idiot and unplug the wrong plug. I never tempt fate with UV.

Agreed! Thanks again brother ;-)

 

[Patx]

I find this
https://www.iuva.org/uv-faqs
What percentage of UV light is blocked out by glass?

(This is one of many questions posted on an interesting Web Site that should be great for elementary and secondary school students, not to mention adults as well!)

Normal glass (as used in windows) is transparent to UV radiation to a wavelength of about 330 nm (UV-A). The transparency is quite high so almost all UV-A light will pass through glass.

Below 330 nm (UV-B and UV-C), almost 100% is block by normal glass.

 

[Fish Fan]

I find this
https://www.iuva.org/uv-faqs
What percentage of UV light is blocked out by glass?

(This is one of many questions posted on an interesting Web Site that should be great for elementary and secondary school students, not to mention adults as well!)

Normal glass (as used in windows) is transparent to UV radiation to a wavelength of about 330 nm (UV-A). The transparency is quite high so almost all UV-A light will pass through glass. Below 330 nm (UV-B and UV-C), almost 100% is block by normal glass.

Thank you, that's extremely helpful here!

My concern is that a person, fish, or cat/dog might look directly into this light, without the benefit of a pane of glass in between.

I'm not any kind of expert here, and I am sincerely not trying to bash someone's product when I haven't used it.....

But this is seemingly not a good setup to me. I tagged the developer, maybe they will come by and let us know how this is safe.

 

[Fish Fan]

Ohhhh you ain't alone! I'm always VERY careful when I'm doing maintenance on my furnace. We have a UV filter attached. I BOTH turn off the light AND unplug it for good measure. In that order, just in case I turn idiot and unplug the wrong plug. I never tempt fate with UV.

And it's good to see ya too. I kind of disappeared there for a bit!!!!

It's good to see you back too!