[Border Aquatics]

I have moved my fish into a large holding tank in the garage for winter, and have it heated to 17ish degrees. I am having troublewith ulcers on some fish. As there is not much natural sunlight on the water, I did not connect my UV. Is a UV a good way to control waterbourne bacteria? Should I connect it?
Thanks
Craig

[koimaster]

uv mainly is used for ague but it also kills good and bad bactria i would have it one but watch things carefully

[Border Aquatics]

Thanks Koimaster.
Will connect it this morning.
I have never had so much trouble. Water parameters are fine.
Will keep a close eye on them.
Happy new year to everyone.

[Carl]

A UV will only kill Bacteria for the few hours when its switched on as the wavelength of the UV light drifts away from the wavelength harmful to bacteria (254.02 nanometers) after that its function is limited to the eradication of unicellular algae and dosnt include the elimination of bacteria or the disinfecting of the water and will do very little in killing Bacteria. At a higher purchase price a UV steriliser is better for the eradication of bacteria as they maintain a constant wavelength of 254.02 nanometers, but then fish in water that is sterilised cant go back in water that isn't run through a steriliser.

If you are using medication then i would not use a UV as they can make the medication useless, i would also slowly turn the temp of the water up a bit more too and dose with patassium permanganate a couple of times to make sure you have at least 15 hrs of purple water. Also be careful what medication you use if salt has been added to the water, you can also give the fish a salt bath too. Otherwise Anti Biotics need to be injected into the affected fish by a vet that treats fish.

[nishikiboy]

Originally Posted by Border Aquatics

I have moved my fish into a large holding tank in the garage for winter, and have it heated to 17ish degrees. I am having troublewith ulcers on some fish. As there is not much natural sunlight on the water, I did not connect my UV. Is a UV a good way to control waterbourne bacteria? Should I connect it?
Thanks
Craig

In my opinion, the answer given by Carl is 100 % spot on !
The " steriliser " UV's are the ones enclosed in the big stainless steel canisters
usually 6 inch diameter. Ordinary UV's will not kill bacteria after a few hours.
Should be left on 24 - 7 ( except when using treatments which specifically instruct to turn off UV )
They are expensive, BUT in my opinion well worth the £500 +
and the replacement lamp - bulbs are expensive also at £50 +
and need to be changed every year ( 9,000 hours )
after that they only work at 60% strength and then do NOT kill bacteria !
In 4 years that I have had one, I have NEVER had a problem with green water in a south facing pond without a pergola ( except 1 occasion when I stupidly decided to not replace the lamp bulb, to SAVE £54 !!! it cost me £50 for a product called Hydra Pond Clear +, which killed a show class Yonsai ( 4yr ) Shiro Matsuba worth ££££'s !!!!! despite deliberately under - dosing and had me up ALL NIGHT saving a Hi Utsuri as well ! and the Hydra Clear Directors REFUSE to even acknowledge receipt of my e-mails !!!!
Moral of the story keep UV on, pref. a Steriliser and keep on 24-7 and replace the lamp bulb as per instructions !!!
Even in a temporary vat sited inside, my advice would be to run a UV steriliser to cut down on bacteria infection to your Koi's ulcers, which as Carl said still need treating. Good luck.
Peter.
ps feeding with Koi pellets containing propolis and garlic will also help with deterring parasites and strengthen immune system helping to fight infections. I feed EA Health and Kusuri Premium in winter ( pond heated to 16.2 C ) but there are others including Medikoi wheatgerm which contain these important ingredients.

[Border Aquatics]

Thanks for all you help.
Happy new year.

[fishy hands]

i was going to buy a uv steriliser as i have a bacteria problem but 2 shops said it was not worth it so i didn't but wish i had know as my few fish left are still dying

[koimaster]

are you on about uv sterilizer or uv classifier
uv sterilizer are top pieces of kit but they are costly.
what bugs do you have ????
any dead patches of water ???