Ich and filter with UV bulb?

[Reaperpilot2014]

I'm figuring that hospital is the most appropriate place to create this thread. I did a search in the library and forum for "uv", and couldn't find a single thing, so thought I would pose the question. Has anyone ever used a filter with uv lighting before?

I haven't had an ich outbreak for several years, but a danio fish in my breeder tank showed a few ich spots today. I haven't seen any other afflicted fish. I immediately hospitalized it and began treating the snail/marmorkreb/shrimp breeder tank, as well as my puffer tanks. I am familiar with how to treat ich, and learned some more when I read PP's article in the library. My fear is that the snails or shrimp I have been feeding my puffers may have had some tomites on them.

Now to my hypothetical question that arose from all of this:
I have an extra 500gph uv canister filter that I bought and never ended up using because I was told the uv bulb would make it difficult or impossible for my biological filter to develop properly, which makes sense. If, for example, I added the uv filter to a tank that already has another filter on it, would the uv impact/harm the established bacteria? I believe it would kill many free swimming pathogens such as ich tomites (doesn't eliminate the need to treat I know), but would it do more harm than good?

I've been considering adding this to my Fahaka tank anyway, so regardless of ich or other pathogens, my questions still stands.

Any input or experience in the matter is greatly appreciated. I will also continue researching. Thanks!

[Reaperpilot2014]

I did a search in the library and forum for "uv", and couldn't find a single thing, so thought I would pose the question. Has anyone ever used a filter with uv lighting before?

I have an extra 500gph uv canister filter that I bought and never ended up using because I was told the uv bulb would make it difficult or impossible for my biological filter to develop properly, which makes sense. If, for example, I added the uv filter to a tank that already has another filter on it, would the uv impact/harm the established bacteria? I believe it would kill many free swimming pathogens such as ich tomites (doesn't eliminate the need to treat I know), but would it do more harm than good?

I've been considering adding this to my Fahaka tank anyway, so regardless of ich or other pathogens, my questions still stands.

Any input or experience in the matter is greatly appreciated. I will also continue researching. Thanks!

Sorry for my long posts, but I still hope there are some answers out there. Has anyone ever wondered the same thing? Looking for those with experience with UV lights in the aquarium or filter.

[bertie 83]

The uv only hits waterbourne bacteria so won't adversely affect your cycled tank. This will help to deplete the ich

[Reaperpilot2014]

I could turn off the uv bulb and let the filter media get established by bacteria, then turn the light back on.

[bertie 83]

Or put used media in

[Reaperpilot2014]

Good thought. I usually mx a little used media with the new.

[RTR]

Mostly answered in the other post, but when you mix old and fresh media try to put the old media upstream of the new and both in direct contact with each other. Downstream spread of bacteria is faster and more efficient.

UV can help suppress Ich attacks, but I would consider it an aid rather than a cure. It will not clear chronic gill infections IME. It may help such infestations.

HTH

[bertie 83]

I am using a uv atm to help fight algae, its that time of year where my tanks get hit with it. it is certainly helping but not a tool of its own. It will help with ich but not necessarily cure, You need to aid (salt/heat). Ich outbreaks should not happen really, but do as i found out, poss plants?. Everything else that needs to be said is above

[Reaperpilot2014]

It's good to know that it won't harm the biological filter, as that was my main concern. As I said in my first post, I realize it doesn't eliminate the need to treat infections, but knowing that it does help keep the water clean without harming the biological filter is good to know.

[RTR]

That is fine so long a you remember that biofiltration bacteria are a small part of the many micobial forms needed in a mature tank.

[Reaperpilot2014]

Will do!