FishChannel Forums / Community Forums / Product Reviews / Green Killing Machine UV sterilizer / Latest Posts

RE: Green Killing Machine UV sterilizer

Phishgirl — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 17:36:11 GMT

Mmmm, microbes!

RE: Green Killing Machine UV sterilizer

math-only aquarium — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 17:33:18 GMT

Anything floating around: algae, microbes, uneaten food, bacteria--anything organic can become food.

MOA

RE: Green Killing Machine UV sterilizer

Phishgirl — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 17:28:27 GMT

Kewl! What nibblies do they sift out?

RE: Green Killing Machine UV sterilizer

math-only aquarium — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 17:22:59 GMT

Kissing Gouramies can actually feed by sifting water through their gill arcs, taking minute particles out of the water itself. It almost looks like normal breathing except for the occassional gulp.

MOA

RE: Green Killing Machine UV sterilizer

Phishgirl — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 17:17:08 GMT

I've noticed them rasping at the algae a bit, is that what you mean?

RE: Green Killing Machine UV sterilizer

math-only aquarium — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 17:10:37 GMT

Kissing Gouramies do a bit of filter-feeding, but not so much that regular foods will not suffice (FYI).

MOA

RE: Green Killing Machine UV sterilizer

Phishgirl — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 16:52:20 GMT

No filter feeders, the angels would polish off any shrimp I put in.

RE: Green Killing Machine UV sterilizer

GRUBYGUPPY — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 13:38:35 GMT

The only place I would(and plan to) use a UV unit is in my quarentune tank.

RE: Green Killing Machine UV sterilizer

math-only aquarium — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 12:45:43 GMT

True, in most cases UV systems are great. It is only when a particularly bad strain enters such an aquarium that there is any real problem. Then again, if the strain is really bad, then a UV system will be the least of your worries.

One additional note: UV systems can be bad for filter-feeders if they work too effecitively. (I.e., Bamboo shrimp and a UV system would not be a great choice.) Filter-feeders can be kept in a UV tank, but you have to take extra care to feed them properly.

MOA

RE: Green Killing Machine UV sterilizer

Phishgirl — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 12:17:36 GMT

It was really "pea soup" green and the sterilizer was the last solution (we'd tried most of the other stuff already). I'd think that heavy inbreeding would be more weakening than lack of pathogens, but I don't intend to move the fish to another tank anyway.

RE: Green Killing Machine UV sterilizer

David Lass — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 11:24:14 GMT

Interesting post by MOA. I've never heard of the fish having their immune system compromised by their being in water that is UV sterilized, but I guess that could be the case. I know alot of good stores that use UV, and they don't have any problems with my fish that I bring to them every week, and their customers don't have problems when they take the fish home. The only tank I use UV on all the time is the 250 gallon "D" tank that is in the front window of my house, to the left of the entry door. It faces almost due east, and there are 4 koi and one huge pleco. If I don't use UV the tank is always green. With a UV on it all the time there is no problem.

RE: Green Killing Machine UV sterilizer

math-only aquarium — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 08:06:35 GMT

P.S. One bad thing about UV systems: since they kill water-borne pathogens they tend to weaken fishes' immune systems. Since their bodies will not be used to pathogens, the introduction of one resilient strain can be deadly.

MOA

RE: Green Killing Machine UV sterilizer

math-only aquarium — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 08:04:21 GMT

Hello,

personally, I do not mind algae. Also, if algae really is a problem I can just cut back one feeding, number of fish, reduce lighting, etc. That way, the problem is taken care of at source and I don't have to spend the extra money. That said, UV systems are much better for your aquarium than are chemical agents.

MOA

Green Killing Machine UV sterilizer

Phishgirl — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 05:37:33 GMT

Product: Green Killing Machine UV sterilizer

Price: $69.99

Description: This completely submersible 9W ultraviolet sterilizer is simple to assemble and is secured to the glass with suction cups. An LED indicator shows when the bulbs need replacement (about annually)-bulbs cost about $25, according to my LFS.

My experience: The sterilizer was a breeze to install and worked beautifully, though the impeller was rattling for a couple of days. We took it back to the LFS, where they offered us a replacement sterilizer (the impeller was covered by the manufacturer's warranty). The sterilizer worked beautifully, and the algae was cleared up in a matter of days.

Day One

Day Seven

According to the manufacturer, it will also reduce water cloudiness, bacteria and pathogen levels, aid in the introduction of new fish to the aquarium, and reduce the risk of disease transmission.