UV sterilizer for algae & microbe control

[cracker]

I have a 25 watt uv sterilizer for aquariums The water is slowly pumped thru a sleeve that exposes it to the light. They are very effective at killing all types of micro organisms. Any opinions if uv light can affect or change the chemical makeup of the fertilizers? Seems These hydro systems use low flow rates making a uv unit like this very effective. One thing comes to mind .A uv would require constant water flow. Any thoughts?

 

PS I still think a spray bar is more effective than air stones at oxygenating water.

[H11]

1. a ultra violet light wont effect ferts. thow may destroy nutriance in the water.

2. the uv loght need constant flow through its own chamber via a pump, but you dont need to constantly water your plants.

3. yes a spraybar is more effective at oxygenating water.

 

finally my aquatic science cource pays off, .

[cracker]

Ok I'm missing something here. I thought fertilizer and nutrient were the same thing.

You could run a dedicated pump for the UV and return it thru a spray bar. Then You can save the paint and duct tape. I'm not sure but by running the water line down to the unit them up back to the nutrient sump, This will trap water in the uv during the pump's off cycle and help keep the bulb from getting too hot. If the unit was dry when the pump cycles on the rush of water would surely shatter the bulb.

[pipeman]

the only reason uv sterilisers are used for aquariums is because they need to be clear so us humans can look at the fishes so shutting out the light to stop algae etc is not an option. However it doesn't have any place in hydro systems for the following reasons:

 

1. The light may affect the nutrient solution, we don't know. Nutrient solutions aren't designed to be used in the light so are likely not to have been tested under any sort of light.

 

2. Some nutrient solutions and additives contain benetificial organisms & bacteria which you would not want to kill.

 

3. Light proofing your tank and keeping it clean is a far simpler and cheaper alternative to running a uv light.

 

Why do you want to use a method which has no advantages, may be harmful, is more complicated and costs more to run? you wouldn't, really, unless you just wanted to do it anyway, which is fair enough as well. Its your light you can use it however you want

[Tom]

They are very effective at killing all types of micro organisms.

Yeah, including those that are beneficial to the plants.

 

[mattdestruction]

What would be the point of UV sterilization though? Aquariums are complex ecosystems (if executed successfully) with many different (micro)organisms. In an aquarium, a UV sterilizer is used to kill bacteria and microorganisms that could make the fish sick, but the bacteria are only growing there in the first place because it's a closed system and the fish are living in their own shit. Plants don't dump waste into the water, so the only other thing in there (besides the naturally ocurring salts and minerals in RO water, which should be practically nothing) should be the nutes (ferts and nutes are the same, although h11 may be refering to something else). If you are, for some reason, putting microscopic living things in your res, then it may kill them.

 

Ultimately, I really have no idea what I'm talking about. So if there is a reason for putting a UV sterilizer in the res please let me know.

 

Also, what is a spray bar? I oxygenate my water through a combination of big airstones and power heads. From what I've heard, the water can only get more oxygen in it from surface agitation, so airstones only increase the oxygen as much as they are disturbing the surface, which can be a lot or a little. So it just seems easier for me to have a power head constantly mixing the water, and even better if you can get one spraying down onto the surface.

 

I think I've said enough.

 

Peace

[pipeman]

Ultimately, I really have no idea what I'm talking about. So if there is a reason for putting a UV sterilizer in the res please let me know.

 

well, I can think of 3 reasons:

 

1. You think your res looks cool under a uv light

 

2. The risk of electrocution every time you top up/change your res mix excites you.

 

3. You want to be different

 

All valid reasons IMO

[H11]

.

[Luke Skywalker]

UV sterilisers are used in commercial hydroponics, but do destroy some of the chelates and precipitate iron.

 

There's little to no benifit from a practical standpoint for people to use a uv steriliser for their home hydro system. Use something like monochloramine (pythoff, zero) or oxyplus if you feel you want to use a sterilant. You'll have to take into account any organic additives you use as well, and only dose these after the effect of the sterilant has passed.

 

Hope that helps.

[cracker]

For pipeman

http://images.google.com/images?q=tbn:_CCc....syngnathid.org

 

These units kill bacteria whether good or bad algea etc.. The good bacteria lives in the roots and media/container that hold them. Sterilizing the water/solution as it leaves or enters the root containers does not them. IF UV negativly changes the chemicals of the nutrients then my theory is shot .

Edited July 17, 2006 by cracker