UV Targeting

[Freenow54]

So I need opinions here. I watched a BRS video on the topic. They said you have to either decide what you want to target ie Algae or Parasites and set the flow rate for one or the other. If you want to do both and who doesn't get 2 UV filters. Opinion?

 

[KrisReef]

Fast rates hit algae most efficiently but allow parasites to live. Slower rates kill both, BRS was focused upon flow efficiency more than efficacy?

 

[Largeangels]

As stated above. If you slow the flow rate down to kill parasites it will also kill algae. Personally I would never get a UV for parasites that affect fish. It will only kill parasites that actually flow through the UV so there will be lots that will reinfect the fish and multiply.

 

[mcarroll]

As stated above. If you slow the flow rate down to kill parasites it will also kill algae. Personally I would never get a UV for parasites that affect fish. It will only kill parasites that actually flow through the UV so there will be lots that will reinfect the fish and multiply.

So White spot and Velvet only succeed by going into the water and building up swarmers in crazy numbers.

UV only works on parasites in the water and doesn't affect the fish or the rest of the tank – but still usually filtering the whole tank at least four times an hour with a kill rate close to 100%.

That doesn't seem useful?? (It is.)

Eliminate crazy numbers of parasites and, just like in the wild, healthy fish have no problems fighting off a small number.

There is a saying that applies about an ounce of prevention being worth a pound of cure.

 

[Freenow54]

Fast rates hit algae most efficiently but allow parasites to live. Slower rates kill both, BRS was focused upon flow efficiency more than efficacy?

My question was that they said you had to have separate UV lights to solve both I assumed and you know what assuming does that if you run 1 light at the slower rate it should deal with both Algae, and Parasites. Yes because of flow efficiency.

 

[Freenow54]

As stated above. If you slow the flow rate down to kill parasites it will also kill algae. Personally I would never get a UV for parasites that affect fish. It will only kill parasites that actually flow through the UV so there will be lots that will reinfect the fish and multiply.

They did say you cannot eradicate them just control them, and the fishes immune system can deal with less numbers. To my understanding the UV just messes with their DNA so they cant reproduce. Do you agree with that thought?

 

[Largeangels]

That is my undertanding also that it damages the DNA so they can't reproduce.

Jay Hemdal made some good comments in this thread about UV flow rates for ich control. I just would not recommend or rely on UV for ich. It doesn't hurt, but personally I'd remove the fish and treat in QT if ich.

UV flow rate for Ick

I have a 57w Aqua UV setup on my 125g aquarium, however I cannot find the correct flow rate for Ick management. If someone could please help me out I would really appreciate it. I have it setup in the DT and not the sump, if that makes a difference.

www.reef2reef.com

"For parasite control, UV only helps against diseases that have a free living theront stage - ich or velvet. Then, the applied dose needs to be on the order of 200,000 us/cm2. This is about double the power of your unit. Plus there is the fact that the ich theronts emerge from the tomont cysts in the early morning and attach to the fish at the bottom of the tank - never going through the UV itself."