UV Filtration for BBA

Hi Guys. I've been discussing treating BBA with UV sterilisation with @Vez. I went and looked at old posts and see that using UV is not recommended due to potentially weakening your fishes immune system and I'm sure I will get responses that say that this is not dealing with the root cause of the algae (too much light etc). Ok, thats fine but I have algae at the moment and more specifically BBA which I try to cut away but it keeps reappearing (I've heard of the Excel method).

The long and the short of this post is actually: Is a UV filter light different from a "disco UV/blacklight" or could it be used for the same function? :embarrest:

 

@Dirk - Sorry to bother you Prof but you might know if this feasable? I only ask as I already have 3ft (Standard electrical flourescant tube) and 1ft blacklights (battery operated units). Thanks

 

Just on a side note.... i tried using a certain BL species to take care of my BBA, its been 2 days now and almost all of it is gone:top: I had a rock almost completely covered in it and two pieces of drift wood that had a few clumps on them here and there.

 

@wade - Thanks but I don't want any BL species. I need to get the BBA under control and I thought the UV lights I have might work. I'm going to be stripping this tank down pretty soon so I will scrub everything when it comes out.

 

@MarcHawke You can try the Peroxide method as well. http://www.gpodio.com/h2o2.asp I have done this and within a week my BBA has slowed down and gone away at the area's that I have treated. Also no new BBA is forming anywhere in the tank.

 

@MarcHawke Phosphate remover.

 

@Wyvren; @ DewaldC - Thanks for the suggestions guys. I will look into both options...

 

When we talk about UV filtration for water we are talking about UVC radiation, which I'm sure you know is extemely dangerous and cancer forming. In units with UV lights, the bulb is hidden away so that you and your fish can't be exposed to it. The water flows through the unit and any organisms in the water will be exposed. The way it works is to nuke, destroy, mutate and kill any critters you don't want in your tank. It is effective for 'green water' because the algae is floating in the water and can be exposed to the UV. I don't think it would be all that effective against BBA seeing it is attached to whatever in the tank. I don't know how BBA reproduces - possibly if it gives off spores, these would be nuked by the UV. I think UV filtration is a good idea as it won't harm fish, and is an extra defense against critters in the waterthat you don't want. Some people are against it because they think it is an unnecessary expense.To answer your question (and cut a long story short - too late) - Yes, a UV filter light is different from a "disco UV/blacklight.

 

@Jenn - Thank you . Exactly the answer I was looking for :top:. I didn't think it was the same and tried reading up on it but UVA UVB UVC...(need an emoticon with hand passing over head). I think the issue with running UV is that you kill all bacteria good and bad and when adding fish or plants to your tank you are potentially bringing disease that the fish have no immunity too.

 

The good bacteria, nitrifying, is not affected by using a UV light. Remeber that this bacteria is not really free floating therefore does not pass by the light. It is resident in the filter material. A UV light is only effective very close to the light. The wave might travel some distance but is ineffective.

 

So what would you say, use a UV light or not?

 

I would say yes we use it in the nuclear industry for our sterile environments. Ultraviolet (UV) light kills cells by damaging their DNA. If the cellular processes are disrupted because of an incorrect repair or remaining damage, the cell cannot carry out its normal functions and either does or cannot multiply. Hence UV lights are so effective at killing bacteria and other nasty things.

 

The debate is still wether you are preventing your fish from getting exposure to germs and if this makes them more inclined toward sickness. A lot of guys are using UV to clear green water.

 

the thing is greenwater algae passes through the uv filter so it close to the light. i think if you use a strong uv light in the tank it cant be good for fish or even plants

 

...and definitely not humans

 

i introduced 1 x SAE... 1 WEEK later not a strand of BBA left

 

I removed all the wood, scrubbed it clean and left it to dry. Cut all the affected plants and added DIY CO2. So far, touch wood. I did add 3 SAE before this but they didn't seem to help much.

 

mm that is not my experience... it is a possibility that they were not true SAE but false SAE or flying fox?

 

Nope. Definitely SAE. I've got real good at ID'ing them :blink1:

They were eating it, just not nearly quick enough!

 

But the uv light also kills good bacteria, i read that it is i sealed unit because of the radiation, and that doesnt sound good,i think i wll use it only if ever i get a green water problem