UV light system and nitrates

HI everyone, has anyone had experience with the UV light system and problems with getting nitrates down? I have a 29 gallon tank that I have one of these units in, and I am not having any luck getting the nitrates down. Everything else is fine. I have done several partial water changes and even changed out the very old gravel. Is it possible that it is killing off too much of the good bacteria? I have 9 mollies a guppy and 3 tetras in there and a couple of moss balls for plants.

 

nitrate is a gas just like we have smoke so it may contain mono oxide ok so beware that is 70% for your stock life
ok here you do this everyday for 7 days then test the nitrate ok
this is a secret don't share with anyone like mad people ok just keep it to yourself ok
now from your hole tank take out 70 water ok then put it to plastic big bucket/than connect a naked wire from other side to wall then turn it on then put that wire in water for 10 mintues nitrate gone ok you will see few smoke coming out of water if you have good wattage ok
than put the water back in tank
be more happy easy
galaxian dancer

 

I've never heard of UV lights being used for Nitrate. UV lights are usually used for algae outbreaks.

 

I know that it is for algae, but I was wondering if it would kill off the good bacteria since it also sterilizes and then cause problems with the cycle. Thanks for responding

 

Not sure.

 

I turned the unit off and I'm stepping up my water changes, so I guess I'll figure it out eventually. x

 

I would strongly suggest against using electricity to remove nitrates. Whether or not the above suggestion actually works, it's incredibly dangerous unless you have training and experience as an electrical engineer, to set up a system like that in such a way as to not be dangerous to one's self.

 

I appreciate your input. I ignored the comment from ssngods,It sounds a little fishy to me.

 

nitrate is a gas just like we have smoke so it may contain mono oxide ok so beware that is 70% for your stock life

Respectfully, nitrate (NO[SUB]3[/SUB]) is not a gas, it is more commonly found as an aqueous (liquid) and even in a solid state. Thermal decomposition of NO[sub]3[/sub] results in the gas form nitrogen (N[SUB]2[/SUB]) -

now from your hole tank take out 70 water ok then put it to plastic big bucket/than connect a naked wire from other side to wall then turn it on then put that wire in water for 10 mintues nitrate gone ok you will see few smoke coming out of water if you have good wattage ok
than put the water back in tank

KIDS DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME!
Water and electricity is a dangerous mix, and can result in a short-circuit resulting in house fires and human death. I urge extreme caution be exercised by anyone considering this approach. Better yet, as pointed out by sirdarksol, unless you are qualified and trained in using electricity, I do not recommend anyone attempt this method.

Too, this method could also result in severe burns. A lot of energy is required to split NO[sub]3[/sub] into N[sub]2[/sub], and the process also results in a lot of energy - Energy = heat.

A much better and safer approach to reduce nitrate is to perform water changes. The worst that could happen is you get a little wet

BACK TO THE OP:
UV Sterilisers should only be used on a fully cycled and established aquarium. UV is not discriminatory, meaning it can (and does) kill all forms of bacteria in the water column. While a tank is cycling, UV can result in a cycle stall as the beneficial bacteria can potentially be killed before it establishes in the filter.

I have never heard of UV being used to remove nitrates, given nitrates are not a living organism. UV is typically used to kill off green algae in the water column, and to help remove pathogens from the water.

That said, I haven't used UV on any of my setups, maybe Jaysee can give you some first hand experience (I believe he uses UV on all/most of his setups).

 

That was the answer I was looking for Ryan. Thanks so much. I guess I was not very clear with my questions. I was questioning the killing off of the bacteria by the UV(in turn affecting the cycle and nitrate levels). I originally got it for an overgrowth of black algae. Thanks also for addressing the electricity issue. It was such an odd suggestion that I did'nt even respond.

 

quoted from about

UV light has the ability to effect the function of living cells by altering the structure of the cells nuclear material, or DNA. The end result is the organisms die off, eradicating your aquarium water of these unwanted nuisances.

That said, Nitrate is actually a chemical compound not a living creature and therefore will not be harmed.

Respectfully, The water guy.

 

Thanks water guy.

 

nitrate is a gas just like we have smoke so it may contain mono oxide ok so beware that is 70% for your stock life
ok here you do this everyday for 7 days then test the nitrate ok
this is a secret don't share with anyone like mad people ok just keep it to yourself ok
now from your hole tank take out 70 water ok then put it to plastic big bucket/than connect a naked wire from other side to wall then turn it on then put that wire in water for 10 mintues nitrate gone ok you will see few smoke coming out of water if you have good wattage ok
than put the water back in tank
be more happy easy
galaxian dancer

Woah, have you actually tried this yourself? That comment sounds...VERY odd (and not to mention potentially life-threatening for you and your fish!). I would never try this...PERIOD!

 

Have you checked your tap-water for nitrates?

Also, there is no better way to control nitrates than with large enough water changes...The generic 15% isn't enough and I do no less than 33% and usually at least 50%.

To quote a phrase that I heard elsewhere, "the only solution to pollution is dilution". Well that is...unless your tap-water contains high nitrates.

Good luck.

 

I have ~5ppm nitrates coming out from the tap water, remedial action: plants. My tank has never gone above 10 ppm despite being on yearly vacations meaning no water changes for over a month.