Tropical Fish Forum

Tropical Fish Keeping Help and Advice => Fish Tanks and Equipment => Topic started by: Resa on September 23, 2017, 11:42:21 AM

Title: UV sterilizer filter
Post by: Resa on September 23, 2017, 11:42:21 AM
Hi Everyone  :wave:
Been away for a while....hope you're all good.

I need some help please. I have a massive case of green water and have decided to install a UV sterilizer filter. Anyone have any recommendations or ones to avoid please?
The other criteria for it is I don't want anything chinese or made there.
My tank is 180 litres. Thanks guys.
Title: Re: UV sterilizer filter
Post by: Sue on September 23, 2017, 11:48:37 AM
Hi Resa, long time no see  :wave:


Do you want a separate UV or one that is combined with an external filter?

But before making any suggestions, are you still in France or has brexit changed things? I wouldn't like to suggest anything you can't get if you are still in France  :)
Title: Re: UV sterilizer filter
Post by: fcmf on September 23, 2017, 12:02:15 PM
Hi Resa  :wave:
Title: Re: UV sterilizer filter
Post by: Resa on September 23, 2017, 12:09:45 PM
Hello Sue,

How are you? It's lovely....and reassuring that you're still here  :)
In answer to your questions, I have no idea really, I have completely cooked my head trying to research  :yikes: I did think it might be simpler to change my current filter for a combined uv all in one model, but don't know if that would be a compromise all round?
OH has bought me one from Amazon and whilst I know he meant well, I am not happy with it. I have only just opened it but I'm wondering if it's shonky or just a really crap make. It's a Boyu which has never come up on my best uv filter searches.
Most of the writing is in Chinese and instructions on how to install and use or locate and change bulb is non-existant.
I don't want anything chinese, made in China or even remotely connected to the country....something OH failed to check with this model!

As to your other question, yes we are still in France but also, yes Brexit has changed lots of things....don't get me started on that!
Anyway, thanks Sue....am hoping you will be able to point me in the right direction.
Title: Re: UV sterilizer filter
Post by: Sue on September 23, 2017, 12:22:10 PM
If you want to change to an external with UV, the most commonly used ones are by All Pond Solutions. They are fairly cheap for externals (which means they can feel a bit flimsy) and the flow rate is a lot less than the quoted level because they measure the flow rate with no media inside, and when you put the media in it slows the flow down. So always go for the model higher than you'd think from their descriptions.

As for separate internals, I've not come across those much. Except for one person on another forum who bought one described as for fish tanks only it wasn't. Fish tank models have a screen to protect the fish from the UV, and this one didn't so it killed the fish. (It was designed for water storage tanks).
Sorry I can't be more helpful  :(




But you also need to find out why you have green water and correct whatever is causing it. All forms of algae appear when something is out of balance between light intensity/duration, plant fertiliser and CO2.
So for example, are you adding lots of fertiliser with lights that aren't on long enough or aren't bright enough? Are the lights too bright or on for too long? Etc etc.
Title: Re: UV sterilizer filter
Post by: Resa on September 23, 2017, 02:04:15 PM
Thanks Sue, I'll look into that.
I know exactly what has caused my problem....me! I added a gourami to my tank and he is a thug when he's hungry.
He killed one of my pandas and tries to bash like a torpedo my corys when he is hungry, so of course, I have been overfeeding in order to keep him pacified.
He has to go I'm afraid.
Title: Re: UV sterilizer filter
Post by: Littlefish on September 23, 2017, 03:06:30 PM
Wow, it sounds like the gourami is quite dominant.
Have you tried feeding just him, perhaps with some bloodworm or something, using a pair of forceps/tweezers. That way he could be fed several times a day without overfeeding the tank.
My betta will swim to the top of his tank and take bloodworm that way, and I'm sure if your gourami is hungry he won't take much training.
Sorry to hear about the panda.
Ultimately, perhaps you're correct and getting rid of him may be the only way to restore calm to your tank.
Title: Re: UV sterilizer filter
Post by: Sue on September 23, 2017, 03:39:29 PM
What type of gourami is he, and is he a he? Males of the three spot gourami in all its colours are well known to be aggressive - three spot, gold, opaline, blue etc.
Title: Re: UV sterilizer filter
Post by: sjames on October 04, 2017, 10:06:08 AM
Hi Resa, how have you done with your green water?

I've had a major issue now for 8+ weeks. I have tried all tips but cant get it balanced. I have bought (as a final effort) a UV Sterilizer. I didn't want to, but it is working, and into my 5th day with it the results are coming.
Title: Re: UV sterilizer filter
Post by: sjames on October 09, 2017, 08:27:14 AM
Hi Resa, unsure if you have had any luck, just saying the UV sterilizer has worked for me, back to crystal clear water, didn't realise how depressing the green water is. So weird how an inbalance occurs so quickly and yet so difficult to rectify. Before the UV I tried black out, no food, more CO2, less CO2 water change after water change, cleaning of external filter etc......
With a planted aquarium I am told this is very rare. I have a planted tank. Anyway back to the pleasure and no more 75% water changes every 3 days.