UV STERILIZERS & THE PLANTED TANK

[charlie]

Hi folks , would like to hear some opinions on running UV sterilizers in a planted tank ( Yay & nay), I`m currently running a turbo twist in line but only turn it on ( for 24 hrs) when i do water changes & new additions to the tank. There is a lot of speculation about UV`s oxidizing Iron & other ferts., but yet to read any sceincetific evidence for or against, also some say that it is better for the bulb to run it 24/7, would love to hear other users views or links to articles on this.
Regards

[arobed]

Hi
I have a UV sterilizer in my planted tank..I was running it 24/7 but have recently put it on a timer my reason for this was soley a financial one since the bulbs can be expensive I figure instead of lasting 6-7 mos I could get a little more mileage out of it.  As far as the plants go I found them to be in better form then before but  there are to many variables to be sure it was the sterilizer, one thing for sure they did not deteriorate.
Just a little side note if you have it connected inline be sure that it never runs without water passing through eg turn the uv off before turning the filter off.

Hope this helps a little

[Seanc]

what is the reason for useing one? i used one for about 3 days, to clear up a algea problem, then i took it off, i think it realy doesn't have a pourpos in the planted tank. eavin if it doesn't take anything out of the water that the plants need, it still costs a bundle to keep running, and they cost alot to start up. Also you shouldent have a algea bloom in the planted tank,, i guess it would be alright for the bigging, when you are geting used to the ferts and stuff, but on a established tank there is no need.
thats my $.02

[BigDaddy]

what is the reason for useing one? i used one for about 3 days, to clear up a algea problem, then i took it off, i think it realy doesn't have a pourpos in the planted tank. eavin if it doesn't take anything out of the water that the plants need, it still costs a bundle to keep running, and they cost alot to start up. Also you shouldent have a algea bloom in the planted tank,, i guess it would be alright for the bigging, when you are geting used to the ferts and stuff, but on a established tank there is no need.
thats my $.02

Sean,

UV Sterilizers are mostly used to kill off bacteria and parasites in the water column.

Nelson ran a UV 24/7 on his tank without issue.

The general opinion about it oxidizing trace elements really hasn't been proven or disproven.  Run it for a month with and a month without.  Should provide you with enough evidence one way or the other.

[dannypd]

..ofcourse, it will only help if you have a LOT of bacteria, it will kill them off quicker giving more ferts.  But, that's generally not the case.