The Puffer Forum

Does anyone recommend against using a UV sterilizer in a fully cycled brackish tank? I have one that I have in my fresh tiger barb tank, and it has a slower setting that's supposed to help with algae. My fresh tank doesn't have algae that bad, but my brackish one gets quite a bit of algae. I was thinking of moving the UV to the brackish, just wanted to see if anyone has any suggestions. I thought it's worth a shot to use it since I already own it to try to control the algae if it won't do any other harm. Worse thing that would happen is if it doesn't work that well.

Thanks!

UV sterilizers help with green water type algae, and may slightly slow spread of surface algae types, but not buy much. I have never heard of green water algae in a brackish tank, so I seriously doubt it will help at all with algae. UV sterilizers do break down certain organics that are likely stunting factors or immune system depressants, however, so the unit might improve the health of your tank in more subtle ways.

Hmm.. I have green algae in my brackish, however it's still being raised (about 1.006 - 1.007 right now). I'm guessing this is low enough that maybe that's why I have it. I also have a ton of brown algae. I've been cleaning it off, but of course it always comes back. Maybe I'll put it in there and see what happens.. can't hurt much.

Thanks for the info!

Wow, I didn't think the water would turn green above about 1.005. Interesting, have any pictures? Is it just a little tint, or pea soup?

Well it's not tinted, just lots of green stringy algae. I don't let it get to the point where it will tint the water... is that the same thing? I'll take a pic tomorrow though... I cleaned quite a bit out tonight, but there's still some lingering in there.

That's different stuff... hair algae possibly. The type the UV helps with is individual cells of algae which live independently in the water, not the kind that grow in colonies anchored on stuff. I'd probably still put it on the brackish tank given the choice.

If your tank houses F8s, then a SG of 1.005 is fine, don't bother to raise it more. Try mollies for algae control (not sailfins though, they picked on my F8s).

It has a GSP about 2" - 2.5". The reason it's lower is because it was FW at the store and it's still in the process of being raised.