UV or not to UV ?

Question

I had a 120 LT mixed African tank and before i moved them to the 400LT i had noticed, on occasions, that the fish would scratch against the sand.

I started searching the inet for information and the closest that could describe it was Ich. But the problem was besides the scratching the showed no other symptoms.

Fortunately and after an article i found on this site it was probably water parameters since i am now monitoring them closely and I don’t have any scratching going on in the new tank.

However having read the what can happen if your fish catch Ich (Or any other disease for that matter) i am concerned.
Is it worth setting up a UV on the system? I have heard controversy opinions on this subject.

Answer 1

I would not advise UV for a freshwater tank. Ick is so very easily controlled in freshwater and doen't respond well to UV anyway. It is worth noting however that once you have your tank set up and stocked you have very little to fear from ick or other parasites. Ick is a parasite in your aquarium. To dispell some common myths it is not caused by poor water quality or low temperatures, or ammonia, or dirty filters or anything else like that. It does not lurk around in a tank waiting to attack fish, it does not only attack weakened fish, it is not airborne. None of that is true. It is caused by a specific parasite and must be introduced into the tank. This usually happens when you bring in new fish from an infected tank. This is true of all parasites in fact. Bacterial and fungal infections are another story, but again, rather easily controlled in freshwater.

MM

Answer 2

I can say from experience, if you have invested time and money into your fish, get one.

I have tanks and ponds with them and without. after a battle with marine ich, I would say definately, however, I have a 30 gallon salt and a 55 fresh that do not have a UV Steralizer.

If you are adding expensive fish or fish often, it is worth the investment, however you can find them on sale "CLEARANCE" just after Christmas and all thru Feb. I purchased one for my outside pond at believe it or not Pet Smart for less than $60. Shop around. It is the only true way to keep your fish from getting ich, since free swimming ich parasite is in all water sources. When fish get stressed, this is when the parasite will attach itself to the fish.

If you have a stress free tank, you probably won't need one.

It really is a matter of choice. I've known many people who have had healthy tanks for years and never had ich (Lucky them) I've also seen where 15 year old pair of oscars got ich and died. Either way, if you find one on sale and you have the cash, it isn't a bad idea.

Answer 3

Magicman is right on with his answer- UV works well on algae and bacterial problems because the culprits are tiny - usually one-celled. Parasites are normally too big for the UV to have much effect, but UV will kill the newly hatched ich parasite - it won't do anything unless they pass through the filter line that attaches to the UV. And it won't do anything for those parasites already attached to your fish.

The second consideration is price - UV is expensive and you have to change the lamp every year (it loses efficiency over time). Aquarium salt & turning up the heater or a medication with malachite green are far cheaper and you only have to use them when needed.

One last thing to consider is that UV will alter some chemicals, so it may make some medications less effective (or not at all).
Below are some websites with info on UV and ich.

Answer 4

I think so. Also when the tank gets about 6 or 8 months old the water is green and the only way to have crystal clear water is to use UV. It does not supress the fish's immune system, at least that what the pro's I have read say. Go ahead you can't make your water too good.

Answer 5

it is not that important in a freshwater tank but if you have salt water you need it ich get good medicine and take out filter bag for 24 hours and turn heater up to about 82 degrees it is a cold water illness ich is a stress disease it does not kill unless there is something else that is wrong

Answer 6

Hi,

Fish scratch or flash because they are itchy, probably somekind of parasites infestation, or could be from ph changes.

Ich can be controlled using salt, use one teaspoon of sea salt or kosher salt every gallon. Salting can control 90% of the parasites known to fish. It is the easy to use, naturally safe and cheap. (0.3%salt max in freshwater, dont confuse with 3% of salt water fish)

the salt later can be removed from water changes slowly.

Uv is nice for that extra clear water, however dont direct all water from your filters through your uv, we still need some bacteria. I personally use uv, i like it.

cheers

Answer 7

I'm not sure a U/V system would contol ich,it's a parasite and large enough to withstand any but the strongest U/V.

Answer 8

How about trying a diatom filter, here is the link that there selling it at petsmart
http://www.petsmart.com/global/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441782183&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302030549&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=2534374302023693&bmUID=1172815047493&itemNo=1&In=ALL&N=2030549&Ne=2
this might be what you are looking for