Water clarity, Carbon or Uv Steraliser?

fishkeeprian · 02/25/2018, 03:08 PM

Hello,

Not sure which would be more useful to run for water clarity, and the benefits each would provide?

Suggestions, for and against?

Thanks

bertoni · 02/25/2018, 03:15 PM

They do different things. The carbon is a good idea to run as a sort of emergency filter. It will bind organics that can discolor the water, and also heavy metals that are bound to organics. The UV sterilizer would be good for phytoplankton or bacterial blooms. What kind of problem is your tank having, or are you planning for the future? I'd suggest running carbon, even if the water is clear enough as is.

fishkeeprian · 02/25/2018, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bertoni

They do different things. The carbon is a good idea to run as a sort of emergency filter. It will bind organics that can discolor the water, and also heavy metals that are bound to organics. The UV sterilizer would be good for phytoplankton or bacterial blooms. What kind of problem is your tank having, or are you planning for the future? I'd suggest running carbon, even if the water is clear enough as is.

No problems other than the new tank syndrome usual's.

The water clarity is good but I'm not running any carbon or anything other than Rowaphos for high phosphates. The water must be getting Polished by my 100 micron nylon sock.

But watch a few videos and wanted to take the water clarity up to the next step and it seems the UV was the way?

bertoni · 02/25/2018, 05:19 PM

Sometimes UV sterilizers will help, but not always. They are good for cloudiness caused by living organisms, but otherwise won't do much. If the tank is new, I wouldn't bother with one yet. It's unlikely to be necessary, as far as I can tell from actual reports.

hegeh · 02/25/2018, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bertoni

They do different things. The carbon is a good idea to run as a sort of emergency filter. It will bind organics that can discolor the water, and also heavy metals that are bound to organics. The UV sterilizer would be good for phytoplankton or bacterial blooms. What kind of problem is your tank having, or are you planning for the future? I'd suggest running carbon, even if the water is clear enough as is.

+1

Start with carbon. It help alot to keep water clear and clean..

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fishkeeprian · 02/26/2018, 08:58 AM

Would this be ok to run in my reactor?

https://www.fish-fish-fish.com/fluva...iABEgKm7_D_BwE

I have a big tub of it and it would be a shame to waste.

Once this tub has been exhausted I will move onto seachem Matrix Carbon or something like that.

bertoni · 02/26/2018, 09:25 PM

That should be fine. Problems with activated carbon seem to be very rare.

Phixman · 03/01/2018, 04:21 AM

I would say carbon over UV, I only run Carbon during emergencies or once every couple months to polish water, it causes Po4 and No3 to drop too low and fast if used too much. I would only use half of the recommended amount to make sure you don't shock your tank.

homer1475 · 03/02/2018, 05:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phixman

I would say carbon over UV, I only run Carbon during emergencies or once every couple months to polish water, it causes Po4 and No3 to drop too low and fast if used too much. I would only use half of the recommended amount to make sure you don't shock your tank.

Ummm... Carbon does neither of these things.

Carbon cleans the water of DOC's, and tannin's. Essentially making your water clearer.

RobZilla04 · 03/02/2018, 05:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phixman

I would say carbon over UV, I only run Carbon during emergencies or once every couple months to polish water, it causes Po4 and No3 to drop too low and fast if used too much. I would only use half of the recommended amount to make sure you don't shock your tank.

Perhaps you're confusing activated carbon with organic carbon???

homer1475 · 03/02/2018, 05:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobZilla04

Perhaps you're confusing activated carbon with organic carbon???

Didn't even think of that. Good catch! Yes organic carbon will lower your NO3 and PO4. Activated carbon is whats used to "clean" your water.

Phixman · 03/02/2018, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobZilla04

Perhaps you're confusing activated carbon with organic carbon???

Indeed, thanks for clarifying.

tlc · 03/02/2018, 10:00 PM

i added a uv about 3 weeks ago. time will tell but atm i couldnt be happier. water is significantly clearer and i dont think i will have to use carbon as often to keep the water clear. i believe carbon is very powerful and can strip the water of good and bad

02/25/2018, 03:08 PM	#1
fishkeeprian Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: England, Earl Shilton Posts: 1,452	Water clarity, Carbon or Uv Steraliser? Hello, Not sure which would be more useful to run for water clarity, and the benefits each would provide? Suggestions, for and against? Thanks

02/25/2018, 03:15 PM	#2
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	They do different things. The carbon is a good idea to run as a sort of emergency filter. It will bind organics that can discolor the water, and also heavy metals that are bound to organics. The UV sterilizer would be good for phytoplankton or bacterial blooms. What kind of problem is your tank having, or are you planning for the future? I'd suggest running carbon, even if the water is clear enough as is. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

02/25/2018, 05:19 PM	#4
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	Sometimes UV sterilizers will help, but not always. They are good for cloudiness caused by living organisms, but otherwise won't do much. If the tank is new, I wouldn't bother with one yet. It's unlikely to be necessary, as far as I can tell from actual reports. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

02/26/2018, 09:25 PM	#7
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	That should be fine. Problems with activated carbon seem to be very rare. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

02/26/2018, 08:58 AM	#6
fishkeeprian Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: England, Earl Shilton Posts: 1,452	Would this be ok to run in my reactor? https://www.fish-fish-fish.com/fluva...iABEgKm7_D_BwE I have a big tub of it and it would be a shame to waste. Once this tub has been exhausted I will move onto seachem Matrix Carbon or something like that.

03/01/2018, 04:21 AM	#8
Phixman Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Lynnwood, WA Posts: 176	I would say carbon over UV, I only run Carbon during emergencies or once every couple months to polish water, it causes Po4 and No3 to drop too low and fast if used too much. I would only use half of the recommended amount to make sure you don't shock your tank.

03/02/2018, 10:00 PM	#13
tlc Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Posts: 918	i added a uv about 3 weeks ago. time will tell but atm i couldnt be happier. water is significantly clearer and i dont think i will have to use carbon as often to keep the water clear. i believe carbon is very powerful and can strip the water of good and bad