Thanks paul i just ordered the ehime 800 uv steriliser for my tank but i did the same as you researched the flow rates and bought the appropriate separate pump so i fully utilise the uv great info 👍🐠🐟
Your video is very informative but it is spoiled by that dreadful funeral background music, I could only watch the first three minutes, then I had to axe it before I slashed my wrists.
Really good video. I can't believe i had not seen your channel before. The tank looks great and i even like the background music. The information is spot on, most UV units are useless, if you want the job done you need to go for the bigger ones. I do have a cannister filter with a built in UV, never had a very high regard for it, but i did use to have less problems with fish when it was using it. Still is mostly a waste of money, specially if you buy it for algae. There are far cheaper things out there to kill algae , like knowing whats causing it and addressing the problem. You're subbed, gonna check out your other videos.
Hello Paul ! I have a 18 watt turbo twist uv sterilizer on my 150 gallon planted tank and had to shut it off because when i does my CHELATED IRON (13%) (EDTA) the uv sterilizer breaks down the chelated iron and makes my water cloudy i'm not sure what to do about it any ideas on what to do? I have discus fish in that tank and would love to keep the uv sterilizer on just in case of bacteria blooms and so on.
When I used the UV I wasn't dosing iron, but I have heard that can be an issue. The best fix I came across is to turn off the UV for a couple of hours when dosing, it allows some of the iron to settle into the substrate and gives the plants a little time to take up what they need through their roots and leaves, this leaves much less in the water column to be subjected to the UV.. Best of luck.. and thanks for tuning in..
@@paultrunick6806 Thanks Paul for the fast reply i was doing some reading on different chelated irons and i was using the wrong iron. i was using DPTA 11% with a P.H of 6.5 and now i will use EDTA 13% that will hold in a bond state longer because it is made for a lower P.H of 6.5 and lower. I will try and see if the iron will still do a precipitation with the UV sterilizer on . I would like to see if the new EDTA chelated iron at 13% can withstand the ultra violate light and hole together. If not i will put the uv sterilizer on a timer for 6 hours at night time when the lights are off. Thanks again Paul for all the great videos you do they help out a lot . keep them videos coming.
Good info. And that is exactly why I don't bother with UV. I would need too big a unit to make a real difference. And I don't want to use the extra energy to run the bulbs.
UV is great if you have problems such as algea / bacterial blooms or reoccurring ich. If you have everything dialed in right it isn't necessary, kind of like taking a vitamin every day if your healthy it hopefully helps to keep you that way.. Thanks for your interest and tuning in..
Actually, I was having a recurring problem with Ich. with my Rummynose and Neon Tetras when I shot that video. I ran the UV for about a month then plumbed in a new filter and left it out, haven't run it since..
I did a bunch of research when I built my well house system. Trojan"made in Canada is #1. The more power the higher the flow that it can handle "bacteria killing effectivness" but gives heat to the system. Most systems over claim their worth, just to be accurate you probably want to go one size bigger. Or you can go a few sizes bigger because light power dies 25% a year, so if you needed 10w output but you went with about 14w then in 1 year time it will be reduced from 14 to 10w and that's exactually what you need to last another year so you can get 2 years out of it. It's best to buy a good company brand, besides quality it also continues to sell parts in the future. Good points on your video. I was going to build a polly hang on filter and run it for an hour every day "completely seperate from my bio filter" do you think by adding a uv would do much benefit at running it only an hour a day at 2800lph on a 40B? Or is continous flow the only way to reap the benefits?
Do you think I Can use a 9 watt bulb instead of a 5 watt ?? my tank is still cloudy since a water change a week ago i have this new filter running on my 20 gallon long aquarium Aquatop Advanced Multi-stage filtration system + UV Includes Mechanical, Biological, and Chemical Filtration Easy to set up and clean Built in automatic priming pump for effortless startup Very quiet and efficient Grey enclosure 396 GPH 4-Media Trays Suitable for tanks up to 100 Gallons AC 110V 5- Watt UV Sterilizer UV Replacement Bulb Works for both fresh and salt water tanks Dimensions: 10" x 10" x 19" Vinyl Hose Inner Diameter (ID): 5/8” Recessed Barrel Head O-ring Gaskets between Media Trays to minimize bypass Large Media Trays with Handles for ease of Maintenance .
Flemming Jaeger As far as swapping the bulbs go unless the manufacturer offers it as an upgrade, I would have to say no! It probably will take a larger ballast to drive the higher wattage bulb..Cloudy if your referring to a greenish cloud sounds like an algae bloom which your UV "should" take care of, if your talking about a milky cloud, that sounds like bacterial bloom which will go away in time by itself. Hope this was helpful..
Hi I have two filters on my tank. I'm doing water changes once a week. And I feed my fish every other day I still having problems with high nitrates. I was wondering if you can help does a UV sterilizer help lower nitrates??
Cameraman2419 With the high nitrates make sure your not over feeding and test your tap water right out of the spigot.. UV is just light waves just below the visual spectrum that will help kill of protozoans and simple celled life forms (Ich. {Ichthyophthirius}, water column algae, and some bacterias) it will not effect ammonia, nitrites, or nitrates.. Best of luck to you.
I'm just starting out with a planted tank. my main tank has sand substrate with 2 Java Fern tied to rocks that are doing fine. I know you can use CO2, Liquid Fertilizers & Root tabs etc. What I want to know is what would be the next step beyond Java Fern without needing CO2. in plants I can try? If I use Eco-complete in my new tank can I get away from needing CO2 or liquid ferts since the plants will be getting most of its needs from the substrate? Any feedback would be appreciated, thanks
Michael Piccirillo OK.. Java Fern is a rhizome plant which when attached to a rock or piece of driftwood will eventually get its roots down into the the substrate to attain what it needs, but until then it will be feeding from the water column. I would recommend that you dose with some liquid fertz. at least until the JF gets a chance to root.. Best of luck!
@@PaulsPlantedAquariums 24/7 not a good idea Because it will kill good bacteria! I know that it wont kill the good bacteria attached to substrate or plants or your filter, but you introduce that chances! I would only use the light when needed or 6 to 10 hours a week!
@@CoreyDeMerchant that what i be thinking, it also kill the good bacteria..maybe turn onthe uv when you got problem,turn off when the problem solve and adding the good bacteria stater back..
Good info, I still have the two I bought in the boxes, waiting for tank upgrades :) Green water sterilizers are useless :) Keep us posted on the results. PS: I like the tank behind you!
Have already hooked it up once, and woke up to my tank with less water Oh Sh#*! One of the end O rings was dripping so now I'm waiting on new O rings..
As long as you keep the glass top clean, I see no problem with it.. It helps keep the heat in in the cold months and it cuts way down on evaporation. But if you have a planted tank make sure to keep it clean otherwise it will also cut down on the amount of light getting to your plants. Hope this helps..
Thank u for taking the time to answer my question . I was worried with a glass top that my plants wouldn't get the sufficient light they would need to grow. I will make sure I keep the glass top very clean. I really enjoy your channel.
eh....mostly regurgitated pet store mumbo jumbo. A power head with uv bulb in it is the exact same thing that your ST inline is, the only difference is that your "power head" is your pump instead. Some, myself included, would argue that this is even less desirable as you are at the mercy of your tank's main flow setup. So, you cannot dial down the flow when you do not need so much "sterilization." I prefer my "power head with a uv bulb in it" because I can flow control the rate of the water and get a much higher dwell per gallon or increase the speed and process more gallons all without ever effecting my tank's main filtration system. However, some would argue that my system isn't for them either. When it comes to light and water, it is all about thermal conductivity. I find that most people forget that any change made to a fish tank should be slowly. Nice planted tank. Do you dose with CO2? I haven't needed to yet, but my buddy keeps saying that it's all about dosing the tank now...lol
+Mahmoud -AR Ultra Violet light is toxic to all living things, look what it does to our skin after being exposed to small amounts, now crank that up to 10, 20, 30 times and you can imagine.. to my knowledge it does not alter any chemicals or minerals in the water.
Hope this is helpful... UV-C UseFlow Rate (generalized)Turnover Rate Clarification; (Green water control; Aquarium/Pond) The most popular application for ponds 40-50 gph per watt (50-60 gph High Exposure/Dwell UV or even 70+ gph with Super High Exposure Pro Clear UV30) Once per 2-3 hours -------------------------------------------------------- Level One Sterilization (Bacteria, some Virus) The most common & recommended aquarium application 20-30 gph per watt (30-35 gph High Exposure/Dwell UV) 1.5 times per hour ---------------------------------------------------------- Level Two Sterilization (Parasites, “Stubborn” Viruses; Recommended for Swimming Pools) Under 8 gph per watt (8-12 gph High Exposure/Dwell UV) 3 to 4 times per hour
Thanks paul i just ordered the ehime 800 uv steriliser for my tank but i did the same as you researched the flow rates and bought the appropriate separate pump so i fully utilise the uv great info 👍🐠🐟
Good luck, When I used to use the one I showed in the video I never had a problem with fish diseases..
Your video is very informative but it is spoiled by that dreadful funeral background music, I could only watch the first three minutes, then I had to axe it before I slashed my wrists.
Wish people would not use music at all. It is distracting.
Good review and explaination of how the UV light works.
Use the rite tool for the job..When you use a butter knife to unscrew a screw and the head strips out, you have know one to blame but yourself.. B-)
I will be doing another video on this subject soon, i will try to address some of the questions below and that I have received..
Nice Paul. Very good advice. I was curious how much UV power would be required.
Dwell time is, if not more, as important to the effectiveness of its sterilization..
A low-powered UV-C light that runs 24/7 is great in my aquarium.
Great video!
I love your planted tank it is very beautiful and well put together:)
Good info Paul!
Really good video.
I can't believe i had not seen your channel before.
The tank looks great and i even like the background music.
The information is spot on, most UV units are useless, if you want the job done you need to go for the bigger ones.
I do have a cannister filter with a built in UV, never had a very high regard for it, but i did use to have less problems with fish when it was using it.
Still is mostly a waste of money, specially if you buy it for algae.
There are far cheaper things out there to kill algae , like knowing whats causing it and addressing the problem.
You're subbed, gonna check out your other videos.
Thank you, I appreciate the feedback and welcome you to my channel..
Thank you, Paul. But Neon's are beautiful in a blacklight, in a dark room, I think.Will that be the same bad effect?
Bravo!!! This is exactly what people need to watch. A mature and pro video, each work counts, thanks a lot!
Good video but that background music sounds like what I would hear during a eulogy.
The music is fantastic! Keep the great work up, youre making good videos!
Hello Paul ! I have a 18 watt turbo twist uv sterilizer on my 150 gallon planted tank and had to shut it off because when i does my CHELATED IRON (13%) (EDTA) the uv sterilizer breaks down the chelated iron and makes my water cloudy i'm not sure what to do about it any ideas on what to do? I have discus fish in that tank and would love to keep the uv sterilizer on just in case of bacteria blooms and so on.
When I used the UV I wasn't dosing iron, but I have heard that can be an issue. The best fix I came across is to turn off the UV for a couple of hours when dosing, it allows some of the iron to settle into the substrate and gives the plants a little time to take up what they need through their roots and leaves, this leaves much less in the water column to be subjected to the UV.. Best of luck.. and thanks for tuning in..
@@paultrunick6806 Thanks Paul for the fast reply i was doing some reading on different chelated irons and i was using the wrong iron. i was using DPTA 11% with a P.H of 6.5 and now i will use EDTA 13% that will hold in a bond state longer because it is made for a lower P.H of 6.5 and lower. I will try and see if the iron will still do a precipitation with the UV sterilizer on . I would like to see if the new EDTA chelated iron at 13% can withstand the ultra violate light and hole together. If not i will put the uv sterilizer on a timer for 6 hours at night time when the lights are off. Thanks again Paul for all the great videos you do they help out a lot . keep them videos coming.
Good info. And that is exactly why I don't bother with UV. I would need too big a unit to make a real difference. And I don't want to use the extra energy to run the bulbs.
OK Nick, I'll buy that you don't want to spend that much money for a good unit, but a 15 to 30 watt bulb doesn't cost that much to run. B-)
I know...but it costs even less NOT to use one-- that is until your fish get sick and you have to buy meds, or even worse new fish ;)
Yea.. You nailed it!
Get a UV sterilizer Nick ... LOL
great video and advice
Thank you..
good stuff. I used to install uv lights on pools. Commercial grade. lol. You look like your ready to go play a round of golf.
I wish I had the time too..
I know that feeling.
nice video!!thank you to share your experience
Great video!
How did it work out? I've heard some people say UV sterilizers can ionize some minerals the plants need, but I've never tried it....
UV is great if you have problems such as algea / bacterial blooms or reoccurring ich. If you have everything dialed in right it isn't necessary, kind of like taking a vitamin every day if your healthy it hopefully helps to keep you that way.. Thanks for your interest and tuning in..
But it's not hurting your plants?
Actually, I was having a recurring problem with Ich. with my Rummynose and Neon Tetras when I shot that video. I ran the UV for about a month then plumbed in a new filter and left it out, haven't run it since..
But I have it in case I need to use it again!
I did a bunch of research when I built my well house system. Trojan"made in Canada is #1. The more power the higher the flow that it can handle "bacteria killing effectivness" but gives heat to the system. Most systems over claim their worth, just to be accurate you probably want to go one size bigger. Or you can go a few sizes bigger because light power dies 25% a year, so if you needed 10w output but you went with about 14w then in 1 year time it will be reduced from 14 to 10w and that's exactually what you need to last another year so you can get 2 years out of it. It's best to buy a good company brand, besides quality it also continues to sell parts in the future. Good points on your video. I was going to build a polly hang on filter and run it for an hour every day "completely seperate from my bio filter" do you think by adding a uv would do much benefit at running it only an hour a day at 2800lph on a 40B? Or is continous flow the only way to reap the benefits?
Do you think I Can use a 9 watt bulb instead of a 5 watt ?? my tank is still cloudy since a water change a week ago
i have this new filter running on my 20 gallon long aquarium Aquatop Advanced Multi-stage filtration system + UV
Includes Mechanical, Biological, and Chemical Filtration
Easy to set up and clean
Built in automatic priming pump for effortless startup
Very quiet and efficient
Grey enclosure
396 GPH
4-Media Trays
Suitable for tanks up to 100 Gallons
AC 110V
5- Watt UV Sterilizer UV Replacement Bulb
Works for both fresh and salt water tanks
Dimensions: 10" x 10" x 19"
Vinyl Hose Inner Diameter (ID): 5/8”
Recessed Barrel Head O-ring
Gaskets between Media Trays to minimize bypass
Large Media Trays with Handles for ease of Maintenance .
Flemming Jaeger As far as swapping the bulbs go unless the manufacturer offers it as an upgrade, I would have to say no! It probably will take a larger ballast to drive the higher wattage bulb..Cloudy if your referring to a greenish cloud sounds like an algae bloom which your UV "should" take care of, if your talking about a milky cloud, that sounds like bacterial bloom which will go away in time by itself. Hope this was helpful..
ComputerNexus1 thank you my tank is milky cloudy will keeping the the light off help
I just changed my water and it is because I washed everything at one time and look up why is my water cloudy when I just did a water Change
Great info, sweet tank
Thanks..
Hi
I have two filters on my tank. I'm doing water changes once a week. And I feed my fish every other day I still having problems with high nitrates. I was wondering if you can help does a UV sterilizer help lower nitrates??
Cameraman2419 With the high nitrates make sure your not over feeding and test your tap water right out of the spigot.. UV is just light waves just below the visual spectrum that will help kill of protozoans and simple celled life forms (Ich. {Ichthyophthirius}, water column algae, and some bacterias) it will not effect ammonia, nitrites, or nitrates.. Best of luck to you.
I'm just starting out with a planted tank. my main tank has sand substrate with 2 Java Fern tied to rocks that are doing fine.
I know you can use CO2, Liquid Fertilizers & Root tabs etc.
What I want to know is what would be the next step beyond Java Fern without needing CO2. in plants I can try?
If I use Eco-complete in my new tank can I get away from needing CO2 or liquid ferts since the plants will be getting most of its needs from the substrate?
Any feedback would be appreciated, thanks
Michael Piccirillo OK.. Java Fern is a rhizome plant which when attached to a rock or piece of driftwood will eventually get its roots down into the the substrate to attain what it needs, but until then it will be feeding from the water column. I would recommend that you dose with some liquid fertz. at least until the JF gets a chance to root.. Best of luck!
FYI: do not bury the rhizome under the substrate, it will rot and the plant will die..
thank you for your quick reply & expertise
can you use uv all the time 24/7 or is it a once a week for an hour kinda thing
24/7 is the standard..
Ok thanks alot for the info
@@PaulsPlantedAquariums 24/7 not a good idea Because it will kill good bacteria! I know that it wont kill the good bacteria attached to substrate or plants or your filter, but you introduce that chances! I would only use the light when needed or 6 to 10 hours a week!
@@CoreyDeMerchant that what i be thinking, it also kill the good bacteria..maybe turn onthe uv when you got problem,turn off when the problem solve and adding the good bacteria stater back..
Good info, I still have the two I bought in the boxes, waiting for tank upgrades :) Green water sterilizers are useless :) Keep us posted on the results.
PS: I like the tank behind you!
Have already hooked it up once, and woke up to my tank with less water Oh Sh#*! One of the end O rings was dripping so now I'm waiting on new O rings..
You need todo a water change I mean look at the water returning in to the tank from the filter
I have a 125 tank should I use a glass top or not ?
As long as you keep the glass top clean, I see no problem with it.. It helps keep the heat in in the cold months and it cuts way down on evaporation. But if you have a planted tank make sure to keep it clean otherwise it will also cut down on the amount of light getting to your plants. Hope this helps..
Thank u for taking the time to answer my question . I was worried with a glass top that my plants wouldn't get the sufficient light they would need to grow. I will make sure I keep the glass top very clean. I really enjoy your channel.
eh....mostly regurgitated pet store mumbo jumbo. A power head with uv bulb in it is the exact same thing that your ST inline is, the only difference is that your "power head" is your pump instead. Some, myself included, would argue that this is even less desirable as you are at the mercy of your tank's main flow setup. So, you cannot dial down the flow when you do not need so much "sterilization."
I prefer my "power head with a uv bulb in it" because I can flow control the rate of the water and get a much higher dwell per gallon or increase the speed and process more gallons all without ever effecting my tank's main filtration system. However, some would argue that my system isn't for them either.
When it comes to light and water, it is all about thermal conductivity. I find that most people forget that any change made to a fish tank should be slowly. Nice planted tank. Do you dose with CO2? I haven't needed to yet, but my buddy keeps saying that it's all about dosing the tank now...lol
I donot know where to install my UV sterilizer , Between the filter and the CO2 Reactor or After the CO2 reactor Why?
as long as it's on the return line from the filter it doesn't matter..
So UV light wont start any chemical reaction
+Mahmoud -AR Ultra Violet light is toxic to all living things, look what it does to our skin after being exposed to small amounts, now crank that up to 10, 20, 30 times and you can imagine.. to my knowledge it does not alter any chemicals or minerals in the water.
Thank you
I aim for 1watt/5gallons. Have a 57w on my 300g.
Hope this is helpful...
UV-C UseFlow Rate (generalized)Turnover Rate Clarification;
(Green water control; Aquarium/Pond)
The most popular application for ponds
40-50 gph per watt
(50-60 gph High Exposure/Dwell UV or even 70+ gph with Super High Exposure Pro Clear UV30)
Once per 2-3 hours
--------------------------------------------------------
Level One Sterilization
(Bacteria, some Virus)
The most common & recommended aquarium application
20-30 gph per watt
(30-35 gph High Exposure/Dwell UV)
1.5 times per hour
----------------------------------------------------------
Level Two Sterilization
(Parasites, “Stubborn” Viruses; Recommended for Swimming Pools)
Under 8 gph per watt
(8-12 gph High Exposure/Dwell UV)
3 to 4 times per hour
What the heck uv or c02?
Ooops... Thanks for catching that.
Whats with the music annoying
redundant info.. everyone knows what uv can do to fertelizers? i belive it can turn iron in some bad stuff.. if abuse just a little..