RE: [Killietalk] UV irradiation ... WAS ... Flow thru systems

[Chris <cgraseck at optonline_net>]

Yes Barry I agree with you.

The only reason that I'm thinking of adding UV to my reef is that many
successful reefers use it in their systems.  The argument being that
small polyp stony corals benefit from reduced bacteria counts.  Others
argue that the increase in micro fauna, without UV, is more beneficial.
I don't think I'll add one unless I decide to put a Tang in the tank.
They are very susceptible to marine ich (Cryptocaryon irritans).

Chris

-----Original Message-----
From: killietalk-bounces at aka_org [mailto:killietalk-bounces at aka_org] On
Behalf Of Barry Cooper
Sent: Wednesday, January 14, 2004 10:01 AM
To: killifish discussion list
Subject: RE: [Killietalk] UV irradiation ... WAS ... Flow thru systems

See below:

At 09:17 AM 1/14/2004 -0500, you wrote:
>I think that you have to remember that we are dealing with closed
>systems, consisting of very very small volumes of polluted water.  The
>potential for the proliferation of pathogens is such small volumes is
>immense.  UV theoretically sterilizes all water flowing back to the
>system preventing the spread of disease from one fish (tank in a
system)
>to the other.  Some of these pathogens are quite lethal such as Glugea
>and some Mycobacteria.  You wouldn't want to expose yourself to TB just
>to jump start your own immune system.  There will still be immune
>challenges to your fish.  Live food will continually bring in
>opportunistic organisms to test their immune systems,  so I would think
>that UV would be a good addition to almost any tank and would be
>essential in a recirculating system.
>
>I'm thinking of adding one to my reef tank although that will certainly
>reduce my micro fauna populations.

Chris, I would not necessarily add UV to a single tank just for the sake
of 
it. The only reason I used UV was because a number of tanks were using a

common sump, creating a potential for cross contamination. For a single 
tank, I think adequate water changes, biofiltration and, most
importantly, 
good quarantine procedures are the best approach. With my new flow
through 
exchange system, where each tank is isolated, I have removed the UV
filters.

Barry

_____________________________________________________________
Barry J. Cooper, Prof. Emeritus, Dept. Biomedical Sciences, Cornell
University
Professor, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University
Home address: 27505 Riggs Hill Rd., Sweet Home, OR 97386 


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