Gargoyle

I just purchased the 24v unit. It was easy to set up and is currently running. I bought it with the intent that it would clear my Green Water issue. I plan on only using it until the water clears (if it does) then removing it.

So far I have done everything suggested to me to combat this little issue I have much to no real winning ground.

So with the purchase of this unit I have 2 things in mind. One, to review the effectiveness of a 57 dollar UV unit. Two, to see if my green water issue returns after I stop using this unit assuming it does indeed clear the water.

So anyone wanting to know whether or not the AA UV Sterilizer is worth the loot stay tuned.

TheEssigs

G - I wish you the best of luck with you UV ... just keep in mind that you may need something to bind the dead (killed) algae to be able to filter it out... or use a really fine filter floss...

I know how you feel... cuz I was really sick over our 26g... it was green for 2 months, I tried EVERYTHING! I mean, from Blackouts to Algone, to 75% water changes, to daily water changes, to mega filtering and super fine floss filtering, and we could just not get this tank to clear... I was about to rip the thing down and call it a day... and as a very, very, very last resort, I mean deep ditch last resort... I threw some Algaefix into it... and WHA-LA within 1 hour (no kidding) the tank was clear...a little white tint to the water... but clear... and two weeks later, its amazingly crystal clear.

I was so scared to use any algae meds/destroyers because I heard horror stories about how it kills fish... but we havent lost any fish! I was shocked.

Gargoyle

I have a Micron filter cartridge on stand by when and if I need it.


So the product you used is called "Algaefix" ?? Sounds like a good product. Thanks for the info!!

TheEssigs

Yea, API makes it.

Peterpiper

Hi Gargoyle
What is the wattage of the UV globe? This is what will determin how much flow can be passed through the unit to achieve the effective kill rate.

Gargoyle

24 watt... Pretty slow flow though.. It came with a pump. Pretty much complete deal. It's been running for about 12 hours maybe and so far I see no noticeable change. Their website shows it can take up to 15 days to clear the water. If I look front to back I can see through pretty well but the haze is noticeable. End to end is a different story.

Thanks for the info The Essigs!!

Tavel

I like the idea of physically killing the algae instead of using chemicals. Chemicals always come out to no good, haha.

I'm very interested to see if this works, and what it does to the biological filtration and maybe even if it can prevent diseases.

I don't have any algae problems...but you never know eh?

Gargoyle

Supposedly is should be able to kill the Algae, bacteria (harmful and good), and viruses that are in the "water column". This does nothing at all for the algae, bacteria, or viruses that are attached to anything.

I am just finishing up day one. So far there is no real noticeable difference. It's just about lights out time and I am willing to give the unit till the end of this week before I render a decision one way or the other.

Plants and fish look as happy as ever though!! I have about 1 inch of new growth on all but a few of my plants in two weeks time so something must be good in there. All of my new fish (4 of them) seem to be doing very well also.

I will keep you all updated as the week goes on.. This will be very cool if it works as advertised! (15 days from green to clean).

Peterpiper

It will work, but you must keep the glass chamber clean, I would clean it every 5-7 days,
Look at doing 25% water change every 2nd day, this will help to remove the dead algae.
The dead algae needs to be removed as it starts to release nitrates back into the water.
why did you get the algae?

Gargoyle

Nitrates are not a concern at this point. I have about 40 plants in the tank.. LOL!!

I got the algae because my light is either to bright or was left on for to long to many times and the tank is not yet established enough for the fishes bio-load to properly feed the plants. So I had lots of light, a little C02 = algae bloom....

I have since added more plants, lower the light levels and duration, added more C02, and have been dosing Excel daily to combat the algae. But they are tuff little buggers so the UV light came into play. No way a single cell organism is gonna beat me.. LOL!!

If after 7 days I see no significant improvement I will be going the "chemical" route that was mentioned above. I would really like to not to that though so I am doing small changes in hopes of correcting the issue then playing from there.

Gargoyle

I have officially thrown the kitchen sink at this algae... LOL!!!

1) Magnum 350 with Micron Filter
2) UV Green Killing Machine
3) Cut light by 50% intensity. No change in duration (actually probably longer now)

Today tank looks much better... It's not at 100% yet though.. But much better. You can actually see where the UV has done its damage. There are a couple of decorations in the tank that where literally covered in the green stuff. Today these same decorations are visible in almost all of their glory.

Pretty exciting stuff...

Tavel

you deployed the micro lawn mower didn't you...you sneaky devil!

I like those results, sounds like it's working excellently. Hopefully you can keep conditions right to keep it that way.

Gargoyle

I unleashed algae **** into my tank... LOL!!!

A picture is worth a thousand words so here ya go....

Attached Images

algae-gone.jpg (285.3 KB, 16 views)

Peterpiper

Looking good.. Looking good!

Gargoyle

Just tossed the UV into another tank... No green water in this one but I am checking biological effects from using a UV. So I took base readings and will re-check in a week to see the effects if any on bio-filtration.

Tavel

sweet.

grunthos

For years I was having difficulty keeping my tank water clean. I tried all sorts of filters, ceramic thingies for bacteria to grow on. I do recall one bad stage where I changed over half the water and within 4 days I could not see that back of the aquarium. The water looked like Urine! Consulting the local fish/pet shop I was informed that it was a particularly bad time for air born algae. Seems that my love for a brightly lit tank caused the algae to go mad suspended in the nutrient rich water. Needless to say all sorts of difficulties were encountered trying to keep the pH neutral and ammonias etc under control.

I was told that the only solution was to keep the tank in the dark for a few days to allow the algae to die off. Not acceptable to me...
I purchased a green killing machine. (UV sterilizer) I installed it in the "urine" and within 12 hours there was a marked reduction in suspended particles in the water. 5 days later, the water was crystal clear.

Since then, Instead of the usual once a week harsh clean and change, For about 2 years now, all that is required is the weekly gravel vac. and only water change every 3 months or so. The water stays nicely balanced, the plants and fish are thriving. The bacteria in the filters is doing its job unaffected and there is still green growing on the surface of things for the sucking things to nibble on.

Seriously, get one. Should be standard equipment with an aquarium kit...

walleye

I am using the smaller version of the Green Killing Machine & it worked great in my 33 gallon tank - except, I was informed today at a pet store that these units are not to be running 24x7 - I was surprised as I cannot find any instructions that say they should not be used all the time.

Does anyone know if it's OK to run 24x7 or should it only be run 1 day a week as per the pet store lady?

Any help would be appreciated.