UV light question

[aqua_chem]

But I would expect that any company selling a uv filter combo would have spent time and money researching the right unit to match the filter flow...

Companies are starting to add UV sterilizes because people think they need it or that it inherently helpful. In fact, most of the UV filters (including the canisters and HOB) are largely gimmicks designed to sell units. Many of the designs are inadequate for good UV sterilization.

 

[Blitz]

Companies are starting to add UV sterilizes because people think they need it or that it inherently helpful. In fact, most of the UV filters (including the canisters and HOB) are largely gimmicks designed to sell units. Many of the designs are inadequate for good UV sterilization.

I think the filter will Filter and the UV will sterilize, but the original question was will it hurt his BB during his cycle, based on what I can find on how the UV comes in contact with the water on this unit, it looks like there is a Clear quartz sleeve that runs through the center of the filter, meaning that the UV light is hitting everything in the canister. To me, that would sterilize BB as well as unwanted. At the very least, I'd remove the bulb and just put the quartz sleeve in while cycling.......JMO

 

[djhamp]

This has been very interesting, thanks for all the reply's. I am going to un-plug the uv light in the sunsun for now. Since the light is running right through the middle of the entire canister it has to be killing the bacteria within the filter regards of the water flow. Maybe I will add a separate in-line unit down the road.

I do like the sunsun filter for the price, it has a powerful flow and its very quiet but maybe the uv light is more of a marketing ploy in this case?

 

[aqua_chem]

It wouldn't be hitting everything in the filter, just stuff in the very central boring the quartz. It would have poor penetration through the rest of the media, giving the bacteria plenty of area so grow. It would not worry me in the slightest if it were my filter.

 

[Rafy0126]

I got the same canister in the same size aquarium im more impressed with the filter than the uv but my water is much much clear. I never turn off the uv light. Tho

 

[djhamp]

Thanks, guess I will leave it along for now. I need to do another full water test but the ammonia was showing yellowish green last night (in the test tube) I cant remember what that is but its on the low end of the scale.

I did put old filter medium in mesh bags just laying on the tank bottom and some rocks from the previous tank so they shouldn't be affected by the new filter.

 

[Rafy0126]

Thanks, guess I will leave it along for now. I need to do another full water test but the ammonia was showing yellowish green last night (in the test tube) I cant remember what that is but its on the low end of the scale.

I did put old filter medium in mesh bags just laying on the tank bottom and some rocks from the previous tank so they shouldn't be affected by the new filter.

After buying this filter I will not go with high price brands.

 

[T1KARMANN]

What can you not like about them this makes no sence to me Studies show they work I thought everyone on this forum loved studies and papers Makeup your minds

 

[20cc]

After buying this filter I will not go with high price brands.

sunsun cannister filters are awesome.

 

[aqua_chem]

I have no qualms with Sunsuns/Jebo/Aquatop. They should work just as well as name brand filters.

 

[HN1]

What can you not like about them this makes no sence to me Studies show they work I thought everyone on this forum loved studies and papers Makeup your minds

Quality matters. In a study, filter, UV filter, or the grammar of a post. Quality always matters.

 

[Delapool]

What can you not like about them this makes no sence to me Studies show they work I thought everyone on this forum loved studies and papers Makeup your minds

Hi, I'll try doing some web searches today on it. I don't regret buying the UV unit but I specifically went for a unit that has its own power head. The guide book talked about flow rates, etc, etc and well, just looked like it had some thought behind it on the design.

My problem is that if the canister with UV worked I could take the internal UV unit out (purely looking at design). However the internal unit is 5 times the wattage compared to the canister UV. The canister is rated for the tank (although tank is at upper end) so I'm thinking one UV light is too low or the other is too high. I'll also try and check the canister filter out today and see if the water is slowing down or twisting around the UV as the canister flow rate seems to high (although just speculating here). Thanks for all the replies.

 

[Delapool]

Quality matters. In a study, filter, UV filter, or the grammar of a post. Quality always matters.

Probably answers my question really, the canister filter was cheap

 

[LetsGoFishin]

Here's a good read on everything you wanted to know about UV sterilizers: Aquarium & Pond UV Sterilization | How to use UV-C Sterilizer Information

I use the Coralife 9w Turbo Twist on my 50g planted tank. I only installed it because I had it from a previous smaller tank. It will work wonders within days for green water problems. While not the best one on the market, I don't think it's the worst either, but happily, my water is always crystal clear. I have it installed on the output of a Fluval 205 which gives a very slow flow rate thereby increasing the dwell time which is good for killing not only bacteria but parasites too. I use two Fluval 305's as primary filters on the tank.

Also, I run it on a timer for only 10 hrs at night while the lights are off. Hopefully this will extend the bulb life as they are somewhat expensive.

 

[aqua_chem]

Here's a good read on everything you wanted to know about UV sterilizers: Aquarium & Pond UV Sterilization | How to use UV-C Sterilizer Information

I use the Coralife 9w Turbo Twist on my 50g planted tank. I only installed it because I had it from a previous smaller tank. It will work wonders within days for green water problems. While not the best one on the market, I don't think it's the worst either, but happily, my water is always crystal clear. I have it installed on the output of a Fluval 205 which gives a very slow flow rate thereby increasing the dwell time which is good for killing not only bacteria but parasites too. I use two Fluval 305's as primary filters on the tank.

Also, I run it on a timer for only 10 hrs at night while the lights are off. Hopefully this will extend the bulb life as they are somewhat expensive.

Regarding the article: it was actually pretty good, but I feel he makes claims that aren't supported as well as he thinks, especially with regards to ORP/redox potentials. Also, I find it hilarious that he starts with a tirade against strawman attacks (he's actually describing ad hominem attacks fyi), he then lists off strings of strawman attacks through. It's a good read though.

You mentioned GW and UV sterilizers. I personally think they are golden for this. I have a cheapo UV sterilizer that I use just for this and highly recommend it.

 

[T1KARMANN]

Regarding the article: it was actually pretty good, but I feel he makes claims that aren't supported as well as he thinks, especially with regards to ORP/redox potentials. Also, I find it hilarious that he starts with a tirade against strawman attacks (he's actually describing ad hominem attacks fyi), he then lists off strings of strawman attacks through. It's a good read though. You mentioned GW and UV sterilizers. I personally think they are golden for this. I have a cheapo UV sterilizer that I use just for this and highly recommend it.

The redox in my tank after treating water with 100w of uv is 385ppm which is great compared with water not treated with uv

You wouldn't get much better redox with water treated with a low dose of ozone

 

[Delapool]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, Avant Garde]*As a Clarifier; For Algae Control (Green Water and some Cloudy Water), 40-50 gph per watt

Thanks for this. Good reading. I don't get the calc above: can anyone explain how it works? Do I multiply the rate eg 40 by the watts in the UV unit?
[/FONT]

 

[aqua_chem]

The redox in my tank after treating water with 100w of uv is 385ppm which is great compared with water not treated with uv You wouldn't get much better redox with water treated with a low dose of ozone

Redox potential isn't even measured in ppm, so you're measuring it wrong. It's an electrical potential, not a concentration. And the impact on fish health is pretty unclear in this context, ie, extreme ORPs are harmful, but will our ORP ever reach this level with reasonable maintenance. WCs are most likely far and away superior to UV for maintaining ORP, as pointed out in the article.

 

[20cc]

you guys argueing about uv yes or nay is lol . it doesnt really matter really with a good cleaning regiment your tank will be good to go . i personally opted to get and use a UV because i prefer to have everything going in my tank that i FEEL will benefit my fish as i am the care giver and responsible for them . is a UV needed ...no ...but neither is stuff like purigen , but it adds to quality of life for my little guys .

 

[Delapool]

Ah, yes (not disagreeing) but which sort? I got the new canister filter going today and the UV bulb is after filtration which I now know is good. Flow rate still feels high but I need to re-read the article. Also learnt that not having well designed hose tap valves makes it easy to flood the floor but lucky it was only me at home .