Thinking about a UV filter

jerry1 said:

... I mostly want UV for parasite issues. In my short time in the hobby, LFS stock has subjected me to cotton mouth, then internal parasites and I now have ich. This is stressing me more than the fish!

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I got to give you credit for at least having a reason for wanting UV. Far to many people want one for no special reason.

The problem is that UV can only kill something that actually passes through the unit. With most of the diseases you mention, enough of the pathogen will remain in the tank to infect the fish. You often see UV used in LFSs because it can stop disease from spreading to additional tanks. It does comparatively little for what is in a single tank.

Also, with UV, generally the more complex the life, the more UV you need to kill it. It takes a lot more to kill ick than is does algae spores.

If you are going to invest in a UV unit, I'd suggest, oversize it. Get one rated for a tank about double the one you have.

All that being said, I think you'd be better off finding another LFS, one that takes better care of their livestock. I would also consider investing in a quarantine tank, and quarantine all new fish for a few weeks before you introduce them to your main tank. A quarantine tank can be minimal, just the tank, sponge filter, heater and a few rocks or PVC pipe fittings for hiding places.

I've thought about the problem where they have to pass through the system. I'm not 100% I want one yet due to exactly that. And I was going to oversize.

I've been to every LFS around. This is my 3rd one that I have "chosen". It isn't the prettiest shop but they quarantine for 1.5 wks before selling anything and each tank has it's own water supply (only one like this in PA).

I do have a quarantine tank. I got a false sense of security with this current LFS and "rushed things". I have seen all the fish I have bought many times over the coarse of a few weeks there and none were sick. I think my Emperor Tetras got the ick and it much have been due to some stress during transport home. The problem is that I don't have a light on my quarantine tank (fixing that soon) so I didn't see the ick and honestly, I'm so new that I didn't know what it was at first.

Emperors came out and into my main tank and the same day, Hatchets and Gudgeons went into my quarantine so the hatchets caught ich and the Emperors spread it in my main tank. Those Emperors, Hatchets, etc... still have no ich at the LFS.

With plants and inverts, treating ich gets complicated. I have too many fish for a 10 gallon. I started raising temps and added some salt. Heading to the LFS today to pick up Herbtana. I have no idea how good it is but it is supposedly safe for everything. So I'm trying it first. I ordered some stuff online so I also picked up Rid Ick+. If I have to tear up my tank to remove inverts, I guess that is what I will have to do. Hope not!

Any more opinions on UV effectiveness and preferred units would be much appreciated!!!!!