Thinking about getting UV

[becks]

I'm thinking about getting a UV unit because some people's tanks look crystal clear, I've been looking at some units and why are they rated so high if being used in a pond yet the same unit used in a tank, is rated so much lower?

I'm thinking about getting one purely for water clarity, when I had a koi pond even my 9w unit in the filter produced clear water.

Can I have an undersized one? Or is it a waste.

 

[Nano101]

From what I've heard, they do more harm then good. They can kill beneficial bacteria in the tank. Just my .02

 

[M&M]

If you want just clear water and UV to kill free floating algae spores, small unit will help you. Just set up slow flow through the unit. For killing parasites much larger unit is needed. Don't worry about rumors thet UV kills beneficial bacteria, as most useful bacteria lives on surface or deep in rock, UV only kills what gets through it.

 

[cromag27 Verified Sponsor]

Your beneficial bacteria won't be eliminated for the same reason why parasites won't be eliminated - not efficient contact time.

 

[csb123]

My UV is oversized with a relatively slow flow. I'm using it for my reef as an ich management tool. As a side benefit the water is super clear. Since most of my flow bypasses the UV and most beneficial bacterial are attached to surfaces in bio films, I am not worried nor have seen any impact on my filter.

 

[ECreefer]

Your beneficial bacteria won't be eliminated for the same reason why parasites won't be eliminated - not efficient contact time.

You can definitely kill off parasites or bacteria with a UV, you just need to have the proper contact time.

Typically a UV will not do much damage to any of your beneficial bacteria though since most of it is not free floating.

A good amount of diseases, parasites and harmful bacteria can go into a free floating state at night - this is where a UV can help to eliminate them.

To figure out what size UV to buy, you need to refer to the Chart that comes with the UV you are buying.

Here is an example from AquaUV

To get water clarity you can aim for the 30-60k range.

To kill harmful bacteria, the contact time needs to be around 336k - so take the 90k gph and divide by 3.75. That will get you into the ballpark for killing just about anything that goes in.

 

[Reefer1978]

I'd say get the right size for your tank, and put the right amount of flow through it.

 

[becks]

Why are they rated differently for ponds? For instance there's a 36w model rated for ponds up to 20,000 litres but for aquariums it says it's rated up to 600 litres.

 

[Reefer1978]

Why are they rated differently for ponds? For instance there's a 36w model rated for ponds up to 20,000 litres but for aquariums it says it's rated up to 600 litres.

Don't know for sure but my guess is since ponds are outdoors they get UV exposure from sun-light in addition to the UV.

 

[Cory]

Uv is very good in a small enclosed system. Id buy one. Some things may skim better dead than alive.

 

[Diesel]

You want Crystal clear water everyday for low cost?
Use the MicroNano bubbles method, $40 equipment and it's a no brainer.

 

[Reefer1978]

You want Crystal clear water everyday for low cost?
Use the MicroNano bubbles method, $40 equipment and it's a no brainer.

Have a link?

 

[Diesel]

Here's the latest thread as there are many as you use the search window in the upper right corner of each page.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/microscrubbing-im-ready-to-try-it.271376/