UV sterilizer for algae & microbe control

[cracker]

http://www.haws.co.uk/spraybar%20275.jpg

 

A spray bar which is better in another topic

 

My apologies for the poor picts

Edited July 17, 2006 by cracker

[bufo marinus]

Just been chatting to the Hydro shop dude about these.

He mentioned similar in regard to the UV knocking out the chelates that make iron uptake possible.

He was a little vague on whether it would or would not work or whether it did anything at all to the nutes, as the main problem he thought, was that people didn't use them properly ie, not enough flow.

He said because peeps were having so much trouble getting the hang of them he got too many returns and stopped selling them.

That was UV Sterilisers stand alone, I'm just waiting for a new Aquarium chiller to turn up, it comes with a built in UV C Steriliser.

http://www.guppysaquariumproducts.com.au/c...c/prod_265.html

I know some peeps here have used them in the past so I'd be interested to hear if anyone else has had success with UV? I'm hoping the the tub set-up will suit the constant flow required for the Chiller and UV to work.

[bufo marinus]

Just been reading some more, seems no way around the Iron problem.

What I have been thinking though is to use the UV steriliser with fresh water every 2 weeks at nutrient change, before adding nutrients.

Wonder if that'd be enough to break the bacterial chain? apparently the UV C damages the DNA of pathogens and renders them unable to multiply. Keeping things as lightproof as possible would be important too I guess.

Been reading there are 2 diff iron chelates commonly used, EDTA, the one that suits hydro's pH is the one most easily knocked out by UV C thus the iron is made unavailable to the root system uptake and precipitated(removed) and is deposited through the grow/UV lamp etc as fine black powder.

http://www.growell.co.uk/p/1646/Vecton-UV-Sterilisers.html

I can't find any info on Ionic Solution that is sold with that steriliser in the UK, whether it is the other type of Iron chelate EDDHA or not?

The addition of Fulvic Acid sounds like it may help?

... maybe just using the steriliser between nute solution changes will be enough, seeing as the water temps will soon be under control

 

Edit, well no way round the Iron problem with anything available in Australia that I can find so far.

Edited November 22, 2008 by bufo marinus