I have a Lifeguard UV Sterilizer for my 75 gallon tank that I want to use. I lost the instruction booklet, and now, naturally, I have a few questions. Looking at the sterilizer, with the label facing me, which is the input side of the sterilizer, the left or right port? Wouldn't seem to make a difference, but the thought did occur to me, and I couldn't answer the question. Also, is there a specific time ( both time length and time period) that would be best to run the sterilizer? At night, during the day, for how long? I 'm using it as more a preventative measure against GWA than anything else. Thx in advance.

Walter :gw

Looking for info. What's the model?

Diagram: http://www.marinedepot.com/aquarium_...on.asp?CartId=

Diagram: http://www.pentairaquatics.com/produ...module_uv.html

24/7.

Sorry, QL-8.

Walter :gw

ok. It looks like those diagrams apply then. Just wanted to be sure it was upright model.

I run my UV for 24-48 hours after I prune my tank and scrape the glass. I'm hoping it gets the waterbourne algae and spores... but it might be a simply a placebo and wishful thinking

It did clear up a GW outbreak in my 75g in less than 48 hours after one week of a diatom filter did nothing though.

I would do what Metasyntax suggest at most, but if things are fine right now, I typically never run it, only when things need to be cleaned up.

Regards,
Tom Barr

Speaking about UV sterilizer, I have used it for some time but I had some problems with Iron content in my tank. No matter how much iron you add, the sterilizer will make your iron content in the tank zero. My experience is with the UV sterilizer is positive for quality of water (cristal clear). Didn't notice a decrease in algae growth. Very good for fish tanks in preventing various bacterial sicknessess. In a planted acquarium I wouldn' use it. Waste of money. Most of my plants had problems showing lack of nutrients. Hygrophila showed a severe lack of Potassium (holes on leaves). I don't know the reasons of all this but my experience is this.
Bottom line: I think I have wasted money. I would like to know what Tom thinks about this topic.

P.S. This is my first post on this forum. I am Italian. Forgive my English if it's not perfect.

First -- I should get you to teach my kids english (they are in their mid to late 20's )

I have a UV sterilizer and a planted tank running EI. I have used it twice, each time for exactly one week -- to remove green water -- it did that. I then removed it an stored it for use next time I happen to run into a green water algae situation. Yes it can remove nutrients the plants need, so I would not leave it running.

Your iron would measure zero anyway.
The tank's Fe2+ levels are hard to determine with a test kit, and the test kit does not tell you that much nor correlate well with plant health and vigor.

They are almost never used nor needed in Planted tanks except for folks with Green water algae.



Regards,
Tom Barr

Tom.

Does UV sterilizer effect macro and micro elements or nutrients of water in our tanks?