UV True Believer, Still
Hi,
I am also partial to micron filters, actually, I like diatomaceous earth filters, and I like filtration, lots of filtration, mechanical and biological (unless I have a specific problem, I don’t use chemical filtration).
I would love to tell you there is some great scientific reason I ran my UV sterilizers 4-6 hours a day (during the day), but as with much of what I do, it is ‘feel’, experience whatever you wish to call it as much as anything else.
My first UV unit was a beat up used device that I moved from tank to tank, which is likely where I came up with the 4-6 hour thing.
I did not notice any reduction in the effectiveness of the fertilizers. I did notice that I began going long periods without fish fatalities. I cannot say with certainty that the UV sterilization is responsible and not just the fact that I improved as an aquarist.
With UV sterilization, I found subjectively a distinct improvement in water quality and with what I think I understand regarding ORP measurements I believe that I can now objectively quantify the improvement.
I suppose the ORP measurements may indicate some small reduction in nutrient effectiveness. Therefore, I suppose if your aim is to precisely dose the minimum amount of fertilizers then you may wish skip the UV bit.
Now that the majority of my tanks are on a centralized system, I am much more dependent on UV sterilization.
Just a note on the ‘balanced’ system, it is in my humble plant opinion a myth. Every system can be said to be balanced, whatever the situation it is the only situation that can exist. Every system can be said to be seeking balance.
I have seen no indication of immune system deficiency in my fish with the use of UV. It does not mean it is not true I am not that bright. I am also not aware of any studies on the subject stating fish immune health is damaged by UV use. I am aware that Seachem and I suppose other makers of medication have a warning when dosing tanks with copper, possibly others substances as well.
As to electrical consumption, compared to lighting and heating it seems minimal to me, but I am not very bright so I leave that to you people.
I have never studied bulb life, so I cannot really say, but they seem to last a long time. I suppose as with many lighting devices the argument good be made that turning them on and off reduces life of the bulb.
Same with heating I do not think I have noticed an appreciable heat gain with the use of the sterilizers, but to be honest I really had not considered the heat factor.
Generally I categorize the type of arguments people are giving you as the ‘I don’t wanna brigade’, people who simply lack the guts to say I prefer not to use this or that device and cannot stand the idea others may be using them successfully.
I still think it is weird you are using my Drivers License photo for your avatar.
Biollante