Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by 2apes2gp667wr on March 3, 2012 at 10:48pm

I have one and use it when needed.  It's a good thing to have around.

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Permalink Reply by Sammy C. on March 3, 2012 at 11:53pm

Yea thats what ive read i think this will do me just right.

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Permalink Reply by Jay Barker on March 4, 2012 at 2:51am

I've got the big one and I love it. Have it running in my sump tank and it does great. Well worth it.

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Permalink Reply by Robert Jango on March 4, 2012 at 9:34am

A UV sterilizer will do the trick but it kills ALL living things in the water including, I presume, beneficial bacteria. I would try floating plants first. They out-compete algae because they draw from the unlimited amount of C02 in our atmosphere instead of depending on the limited supply in the water. As the floating plants multiply like crazy they draw more and more plant nutrients away from the algae.

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Permalink Reply by 2apes2gp667wr on March 4, 2012 at 11:59am

99% of benifocial bacteria are not in the water column. That is the advantage of a uv unit. Most of the time harmful algae is free floating while beneficial bacteria attach themselves to things like bio media, rocks, gravel etc. They live by the movement of water bringing them co2 and nutrients. Algae in the water column is run through the uv and dies while the bacteria stays in place.

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Permalink Reply by Jay Barker on March 4, 2012 at 12:14pm

The benefits of a UV sterilizer greatly out way any con. I have my GM UV sterilizer running at all times in my sump and it works wonders. Like Kevin said most of your beneficial bacteria are growing on your fixtures and media and gravel etc. 

Floating plants are a good alternative but in my case with a diy overflow they would constantly get stuck and stop my filtration to my sump. They can also shade and hurt other plants that need higher light in your deeper water.

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Permalink Reply by Robert Jango on March 4, 2012 at 4:28pm

I think I remember reading that beneficial bacteria attach themselves to things in the tank - good point.  I used a UV sterilizer once without any noticeable effects but the its ability to kill all that passed thru it bothered me for some reason.  

As for the floating plants, you're right again. If allowed to spread unchecked they would kill all my plants. So I add or reduce them depending on the amount of algae in the tank. 

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Permalink Reply by Jay Barker on March 4, 2012 at 5:27pm

Yeah I had a huge algae problem before I got plants because a lot of light comes into the room my 55 so I bought the green machine and it worked really well after about 1 week in the tank. Then I stopped using it when I got plants. Then when I made my sump I did a little research and decided what the heck I'll just put it in there. And it seems to be helping keep things in check. Never have any algae outbreaks or diseases spread from new fish and I have a fairly large fish load. 

I'd love to be able to have floating plants and good point about keeping them in check. If only there was an aesthetically appealing way to block them from getting into my diy filter. :) 

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Permalink Reply by Robert Jango on March 4, 2012 at 8:30pm

Interesting... I'm checking out sump pumps now on the internet. Not that I'll ever get one, but I'm just curious. 

I can see how UV light would help with parasites - especially flukes. Many of these nasty critters have a free swimming stage during which they travel from host to host.  I imagine its during this stage that they would get caught in the UV.

If by "a lot of light comes into the room" you mean sunlight, then I say lucky you -  and the more direct the better. If I had sunlight hitting my indoor tank I'd be storing all or most of those ugly overhead lamps. I'm trying to fix it now so it doesn't look so messy.

When I keep fish under sunlight they become beautiful. Who knows the exact reason why. Maybe it has something to do with vitamin D....  one of my best memories was a brood of newly hatched Angels I kept in a 29 gallon tank away from the parents in my living room window. The sun hit the back of the tank first and covered it in with a thick carpet of healthy green algae - the water stayed crystal clear.

There's nothing like a healthy angelfish. The mixture of colors, especially blues,  is mesmerizing. (ok I exaggerate) My local fish store guy said he might be getting some "blue angels" in from Hungary.  We'll see. I'm also thinking about getting some Altums. There not as colorful but they're size and shape make them superior in many ways to the Scalares.

I'd better stop now; otherwise I'll keep rambling.  Appreciate the info Jay. 

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Permalink Reply by Sammy C. on March 7, 2012 at 6:24pm

Hey u know? i just recently got some frogbit and it doesnt seem to be doing too good i wonder why but my other plants are growing and growing fast..I put in some C02 every other day and i change my water 1 once a week..any ideas?

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Permalink Reply by Robert Jango on March 7, 2012 at 9:28pm

Who knows? I've never had a floating plant that didn't do well. But it sounds like the algae situation is under control. Go with the flow. I still hate the general idea of a light that kills all living things that pass thru it, but if it keeps the green algae away... what can I say? Kevin says he uses it when needed - I think that's the best approach.

You change the water once a week? Great. Do it more if its not a hassle.

Co2 infusion. I'm an all natural guy - not my gig. But I'm sure the plants (not fish) will love it. 

PS.  For what its worth: I know nobody wants green water - including me - but green water is the healthiest water for fish to live in.

Sounds like the tank is going well Sammy.

Good luck. 

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Permalink Reply by Sammy C. on March 8, 2012 at 12:27am

ok well i guess i wont worry too much about it if some of my other plants are doing well maybe ill just add some java moss or something..thanx man

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