First time poster...Does any use UV Sterilizers as part of their filtration system?

[tkki1230]

I have a 650 gallon Fish tub that I will be using to power a couple of 4x8 growbeds. It currently has a Settling tank, Bio filtration, and a 35w UV Sterilizer. Can I still use the UV? There are some local "experts" that are telling me that the UV will render my Aquaponics system useless. This seems rather far fetched and illogical. There must be a lot of people out there running UV in their systems. Can I still use mine?

[fishfood]

What they tell you is correct uv kills the good bacteria

[GaryD]

Hi Tkki1230,

Since we're talking about logic, if we are relying on nitrifying bacteria to maintain water quality, why would we want to kill them?

In reality, there are very few people that I know of that use UV sterilisers.....not so much because they will render your system useless, but because there is no point.

Aquaponics is an eco-system (see here for a more complete explanation of this statement) and it follows that eventually all of the organisms will manage their niche and the system will be in balance.

Your settling tank and bio-filter will serve you much better in stabilising an AP system than a UV steriliser.

Gary

[tkki1230]

Hi Tkki1230,

Since we're talking about logic, if we are relying on nitrifying bacteria to maintain water quality, why would we want to kill them?

In reality, there are very few people that I know of that use UV sterilisers.....not so much because they will render your system useless, but because there is no point.

Aquaponics is an eco-system (see here for a more complete explanation of this statement) and it follows that eventually all of the organisms will manage their niche and the system will be in balance.

Your settling tank and bio-filter will serve you much better in stabilising an AP system than a UV steriliser.

Gary

I always thought that most of the beneficial bacteria resided in the filter media where it couldn't be touched by the UV. Why do all of the Pond people use sterilizers other than getting rid of Algae? Wouldn't their systems crash if the UV killed off all of the good bacteria? I'm really confused.

Thanks for all of your replies!!

[Crusty]

I always thought that most of the beneficial bacteria resided in the filter media where it couldn't be touched by the UV. Why do all of the Pond people use sterilizers other than getting rid of Algae? Wouldn't their systems crash if the UV killed off all of the good bacteria? I'm really confused.

Thanks for all of your replies!!

Hi tkki. I dont see any issue with it.

[tkki1230]

Hi tkki. I dont see any issue with it.

Thanks for your original post. That was extremely educational, and very much along the lines that I was thinking.

[Crusty]

Thanks for your original post. That was extremely educational, and very much along the lines that I was thinking.

I am glad you got to read it and it was helpful. I went to edit it and the forum logged me out or some other glitch and removed post.

[GaryD]

Hi Crusty,

Welcome back.......long time no see/hear.

I get the impression that there's a post missing. If you were simply editing, and you got timed out before you saved the newer version, we should have been left with the original version anyway.

I've experienced a several situations (since upgrading the forum software), where I'm sure I hit the Save button but the post has disappeared. I dismissed it as having maybe hit the Preview button instead........now you've got me wondering.

Can you post something similar to your original post......for the benefit of those of us who didn't get to see it?

Gary

[Crusty]

Hi Crusty,

Welcome back.......long time no see/hear.

I get the impression that there's a post missing. If you were simply editing, and you got timed out before you saved the newer version, we should have been left with the original version anyway.

I've experienced a several situations (since upgrading the forum software), where I'm sure I hit the Save button but the post has disappeared. I dismissed it as having maybe hit the Preview button instead........now you've got me wondering.

Can you post something similar to your original post......for the benefit of those of us who didn't get to see it?

Gary

Hi Gary

I think the issue lays in the session time out in the admin general settings...

Normally, I write posts in word, copy and paste for this reason. However, I was lazy this time round.

The original post went on for some time about the pros and cons of UV in aquaculture, hydroponics and its relevant use or application in integration, like aquaponics. From personal and professional experience there is no issue with the use of UV clarifiers in aquaponics but it is a matter of personal choice based on the system design.

[tkki1230]

The post that got zapped was rather impressive. I would've kept it for myself if I'd known it was going to disappear. I'd never read anything like it before, and I'm not one to exaggerate.