How to use a UV Sterilizer in the Planted Tank: My Take on UV Sterilizers

Dustin's Fish Tanks

GET AN AWESOME TANK! https://goo.gl/bRejwR/ Happy Friday! What fish tank equipment can YOU NOT live without? https://youtu.be/Ny7eGmTem60 Here is a link to another video I did from the greenhouse about how I get more gas exchange in my fish room. Check it https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1ffnbvBZEY Aquarium Equipment Good, Ghetto and Classic Equipment https://youtu.be/zc3hg-WYPOk Aquarium Tips and Tricks, The Plan, the Flow, the Feel https://youtu.be/Zr9LHDPYS5g Fish Tank Equipment https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnw3D5LLGih0v5ThVFR0aPUuU3mha4qhL Never really had UV Sterilizers on my planted tanks. It's not to say that they aren't useful--I am sure they are at killing things you don't want in your tank. I certainly don't think you need one, though. One thing I didn't mention in this video is about internal parasites--I wonder if they could be killed with an Ultraviolet Sterilizer. Please excuse the ugly tanks, as I am in the middle of doing a plant order. Welcome to Dustin's Fish Tanks YouTube Channel. My channel is made for FISH TANK PEOPLE! I try to focus on planted aquariums, how to grow aquarium plants, dirt as the planted tank substrate and low light aquarium plants. Planted tanks shouldn't be difficult. My goal is to make the planted aquarium hobby easy...Planted Tanks Made Easy! Dustin's Fish Tanks. TANK ON! Subscribe!Click here to subscribe for more great videos every week ! http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=dustinsfishtanks Support your boy! Check out my Aquarium Plants and Aquarium Stuff for sale! https://goo.gl/Bmmm4G Free Top 10 Planted Tank Secrets on website: http://www.dustinsfishtanks.com Facebook: https://goo.gl/gkDOxP Instagram: https://goo.gl/a5ZOIG Fish Tank People Social Community http://fishtanktv.com/

How to use a UV Sterilizer in the Planted Tank: My Take on UV Sterilizers 103 29

Discus 12 years ago 29,150 views

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for How to use a UV Sterilizer in the Planted Tank: My Take on UV Sterilizers

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kojagun - 6 years ago

the headline implies you are going to share knowledge information or experience about uv filters. after watching the video you clearly do not. you should have made the headline gonna bullshit about fish tank stuff and you have no idea what you are talking about... I’m sure your a nice guy and all but you duped me into watching your crap vid hoping you knew what you were talking about. gave you a thumbs down because of that.

Versaquatics1 - 7 years ago

Hard to take intelligent aquarium advice from anyone who uses the term "dope". Have kept aquariums for 4 decades and have had wonderful luck with ultraviolet sterilization. The trick is to determine proper wattage, flow rates, contact time, and bulb replacement. The risk of using these is very minimal. My two cents.

DIY Hobby - 7 years ago

yes get a uv strilizer. i put mine directly above sponges in sump. when i turn it on for 12 hours water changes to cloudy. LOL I OVER KILLED the bad and Banifecial bacteria but hey no problem in my tank. healthy fishes. just cloudy no prob. at least the fish is thriving healthy. for newbies get one of those uvc much better no DIY. mine 100% diy. cloudy but no bacteria my tank hehe.

Piranha and the dirt planted tank - 7 years ago

Nothing much on the subject. You gotta do more research before making videos and giving people tips. BTW, tanks look awful.

Dustin's Fish Tanks - 8 years ago

Here is a link to another video I did from the greenhouse
about how I get more gas exchange in my fish room. Check it https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1ffnbvBZEY

Dustin's Fish Tanks - 8 years ago

I have been doing a bunch of Facebook LIVE as
it fits my quick style - Click here to follow me on Facebook: www.facebook.com/DustinsFishtanks.
And EVERY DAY I do 30 second
videos on Instagram: Click here to follow me on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/dustinsfishtanks/

mef1975 - 10 years ago

To comment on this video, I'll definitely be using a UV light, with low flow rate, kinda like "life support" for the plants, as they get accommodated to their new tank (they hadn't grown up under this lighting, so they're freaking out). I'm hoping the UV light will keep them from getting completely choked out, or infected. I'll turn it off once the grow light, CO2, and nitrate are balanced with the plants, see what happens, could be a month or so. Now for my rant... I'm a year into the hobby, and have found that people are really, for the most part, ignorant on why they do the things they do. Instead, they find a method that works for them, knowing a couple points about it, and they tend to stick to it, never really analyzing what all happened. I can understand why, as there's often so many factors involved, figuring out what happened could end up being a research career. lol Once in a while you'll run into someone that has a masters or BS in marine biology, or something. They can be very enlightening, understanding physics of light and biology of photosynthesis to be able to look at a plant and know what kind of light it needs automatically, it's amazing when things can be understood like that. Of course, there's always exceptions. Anyhow, as if what I just mentioned isn't overwhelming enough, what really bothers me is the inaccuracy from companies making things for the hobby, for instance, a 150 gallon tank that could never actually hold more than 131 gallons, or a 100 gph pump, that can really never get above 70 gph, stuff like that annoys me cause it's like "false advertisement".

yuk747 - 10 years ago

I use a UV sterilizer only once in a while for my planted tank but not continuously only for controlling early signs of problems + it's beneficial because it's chemical free.

vipercma - 10 years ago

While you may get different opinions on whether or not it's needed, UV has no negative effects. Since only water that passes through the unit is treated, there is no impact on the beneficial filtration bacteria. UV does not add or take anything from the water column. The only immediate noticeable effect may be an increase in water clarity.

Contrary to popular belief, UV exposure does not kill the organsims that pass through the unit. It simply uses UV radiation to sterilize single cell organisms and some small parasites so they can no longer reproduce. Hence the name UV sterilizer and not UV killer or UV destroyer (sounds like a marketable name though). Larger organisms like pods and such will pass through unharmed and unaffected by the UV exposure.

I run it on my tank on the input side of my recirc skimmer. There is a theory that UV will affect phosphate bonds and can possibly increase phosphate removal through skimming. Whether or not it works, I don't know. Since I like to run UV anyway on a tank, I figure it can't hurt. I say make the deal if it's that good.

Laughing Coffin - 6 years ago

vipercma I know its an old post,but I was wondering for hiw long do I run the uv?all day or ?

mef1975 - 10 years ago

Being that it sterilizes the algae suspended in the water column, it frees the nourishment the algae would've eaten, for the plants. Such joy! I'm definitely trying one out when the plants are stressed and losing to an on coming algae bloom.

10. comment for How to use a UV Sterilizer in the Planted Tank: My Take on UV Sterilizers

Shawn Bailey - 10 years ago

You tanks look so bad! Cloudy, dirty, disgusting! I feel bad for you fish.

Quantum Aquatic - 8 years ago

actually his tanks imatate their habitats quite accurately. his tanks were cloudy cause he did water changes as he stated...

caderaid100 - 10 years ago

Your fish look sick too lol

caderaid100 - 10 years ago

Your tank looks horrible.

Convict1975 - 11 years ago

I'm using a 13 watt AquaTop right now in hopes to aid my battle against ich.

alientech - 11 years ago

So what you're saying is, you hot no idea what you're talking about.

raserocka1 - 12 years ago

Has anyone had any negative affects with a diatom filter in a planted tank? I switched to a UV and seems now that the UV works better for this type of tank.

JacobsAquarium - 12 years ago

Watch my newest video. It will answer all your questions.

warlim - 12 years ago

Yea.. love this plant ... just got some from Poland

Carena722 - 12 years ago

oops. just got one

Fabulous - 12 years ago

@anthony duffy When u dirt the tank but one inch of gravel for every inch of dirt and one inch of sand for every half an inch of dirt

20. comment for How to use a UV Sterilizer in the Planted Tank: My Take on UV Sterilizers

Vanada - 12 years ago

I've been using a UV sterilizer on my 20 gallon planted for the last year and a half. I just disconnected it today so I will let you know if I see any changes.

therealjonnyk - 12 years ago

hey dustin, what are your thoughts on keeping discus in a walstad tank? cant find any info online about this...

Cody Yost - 12 years ago

Dustin, I was wondering if you have any experience with native fish? I know in most of your videos you deal a lot with tropicals and goldfish, but what about native fish like bluegill?

jake mcgraw-korthals - 12 years ago

you should do a species sunday on Hemianthus callitrichoides cuba. <--- love that stuff

Charles Rolon - 12 years ago

check out the tank leave me some feed back please .thank you

Nick Lewis - 12 years ago

i need a new video ahhhhhhhhhh

Robert Jango - 12 years ago

Neons are a little easier.

NarcoticAnarch - 12 years ago

Did you cap it?

Drew dh - 12 years ago

i am a beginner. i like cardinal tetras but, was wondering if they are to hard to take care of. should i get neon tetras instead or a mixture of 3 and 3

anthony duffy - 12 years ago

hey, i put dirt, like normal dirt, and the water is all black, you cant see anything of what i planted in there, how do you make your water clear, with dirt in your tank?

30. comment for How to use a UV Sterilizer in the Planted Tank: My Take on UV Sterilizers

alex russell - 12 years ago

turn your screen on

420bin - 12 years ago

ebay!

Joe Parker - 12 years ago

Vitali, kiev Ukrain, i thought you were going to say Klitschko LOL

garretts91 - 12 years ago

Online or a specialty fish store.

AquaMarine Crayon - 12 years ago

When I get one should I switch up the tank I've got my plants in to keep them healthy?

AquaMarine Crayon - 12 years ago

Where do I get a uv sterlizer, for about a month now I've had green water and water changes won't get rid of it, not even 90% and I'm not over feeding and I haven't used any fertilizers since the water got green

DavidARambo - 12 years ago

Really am enjoying you videos, I am learning a lot from you Dustin,, Thanks for the professionalism

Laurence Ignacio - 12 years ago

I wonder why your corys hide. Mine are out all the time. But ya by their behavior they did look like they were spawning.

MrHoney2U - 12 years ago

there are pros and cons to a uv light. It is said that it can remove some of the nutrients that plants need. But IMO it has more pros. Aside from the obvious help against parasites and things I love the crystal clear water. I mean what is the point if you cant see what you have in your tank.

TreemanWhite - 12 years ago

can you buy rainbow sharks

TreemanWhite - 12 years ago

I mean you angles that had babys

TreemanWhite - 12 years ago

How are your fish doing

garretts91 - 12 years ago

Honestly Dustin I think you should give one a shot and see how crystal clear your water gets with one of these things! I maintain completely steady water perameters and I love that a uv is part of my army! I have never had ANY fish parasite or bacteria since adding one also! You never know what fish and plants from the store carry to your tank. Better to have something in place to combat that! Thats why I call it a proactive piece of equipment!

garretts91 - 12 years ago

Set at different flow rates, a UV sterilizer can be used effectively against bacteria, algae, or parasites.I run one on my 55 planted. I thought it was more useful before it was planted. I still run it now but its more of a proactive deffence against water borne bacteria and algae. I also noticed it makes your water clearer than you can imagine. Almost like purigen! I run a turbo twist 9watt. Flow rates are Around 10 times the watage for parasites and 15x for bacteria and aglae. Pretty cool!

jake mcgraw-korthals - 12 years ago

whats a good ground cover for the bottom of my dirted 125? got lots of swords and a few new baby lilly pads. bottom of the tank is lookin pretty bare :/

Modestas Kunickas - 12 years ago

Justin is absolutely right, i have colleagues who have aquariums for 30 years and longer, and they all say as one, that UV don't make any good thing for planted tank

HylomantisLemur - 12 years ago

So don't watch it.

that1fatkiduknow - 12 years ago

Taters gonna tate.

that1fatkiduknow - 12 years ago

he just did a water change.

Richard Powell - 12 years ago

why talk about something you dont use?? means u dont no much about but i do agree not to use one in a planted tank

50. comment for How to use a UV Sterilizer in the Planted Tank: My Take on UV Sterilizers

Arf - 12 years ago

What is that supposed to mean ? You idiot you're the troll with that comment , so crawl back under you're bridge and enjoy being hated =)

necroticfreak1 - 12 years ago

is it ok for the water to be cloudy like that angel tank?

joren70 - 12 years ago

Enjoy your vacation. Grtz

Sean Dennis - 12 years ago

What happened to the angel spawn?

natextreme - 12 years ago

they look too big to me. my cories tried to spawn a while back (the discus had other ideas) and the eggs where much small than that, and spread out in random spots over the glass

VegasSurfer - 12 years ago

those arent cory eggs on the glass at 3:09 are they?

wonderboy2402 - 12 years ago

I've bred my bronze cories a few times. Tricks that seem to work are. 1. Feeding them meaty foods, like blood worms or live food. 2. Cool water changes. 3. Rearranging the aquarium seems to trigger excitement. 4. Wiping algae off of the glass seems to give them a good place to lay eggs. 5. Also, high current areas seemed to be where they most frequently would lay eggs. Like near filter outlets or powerheads.

Joel Bierman - 12 years ago

For the 220 it would be sweet if you added 3 or 4 Ctenolucius hujeta. They are a type of freshwater schooling gar that I have heard only grow about the same size as oscars. But unlike oscars they greatly prefer planted tanks to stalk their prey.

DodgerguyLBC - 12 years ago

Yeah, i was using firefox then i switched it to google chrome and i worked perfectly. Thanks.

Sheety33 - 12 years ago

You have the best planted tanks on youtube man, just bought some parrots feather and it looks SICKKKK