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Re: UV light and nitrogen cycle bacteria



John Glaeser recommeded that Daphne discontinue her use of a UV sterilizer
due to its negative effect on the bacteria responsible for the nitrogen
cycle. Are you sure about this John? UV sterilizers work on the contents of
the water which flows through them and past the UV tube. It affects things
which are suspended or dissolved in the water column. The majority of the
bacteria responsible for the nitrogen cycle live in the thin layer of
"slime" which covers the interior of the aquarium and coats the media in the
biological filter. The only time that the majority of them might be
suspended in the water column would be at the beginning of a tank's life, if
you "seeded" the filter with a suspension from an active filter from another
tank. The bacteria quickly settle onto surfaces in the tank and they stay
there. Or at least that what it says in Spotte. Now I admit that he was
describing marine systems but I have always been under the impression that
the nitrogen cycle in both fresh and salt water works in pretty much the
same way. And UV sterilizers are only effective at close range (i.e. within
the unit) - they can't hurt something which is six or seven inches away
inside the tank and not suspended in the water column (and thus likely to be
circulated through the UV sterilizer).

Am I worng in this?

James Purchase
Toronto