UV Water Clarifier

[element420]

Has anyone tried using a pump with a built in UV Clarifier or a seperate water line uv clarifier to keep algae at bay? Seems like a great idea...works wonders for small ponds...typically what there made for. I seen one at the depot for $110 built into a submersible pump....looks like it would be awesome for DWC recirculating or a bubbleponic setup. I was thinking of using one of the more typical models that have waterline connectors at both ends and have replacable uv bulbs in case they burn out....would go good on my ebb & gro. With algae out of the picture water would only have to be changed as nutrients lessen or strengthen depending on the plants usage. Seems one could mix a solution to either side of spectrum to strengthen nutes or weaken nutes in another container and add to main res as needed to slowly bring up to par, So it wont be so drastic like adding nutes directly to the main res and it jumping too high.

Just a thought I guess.

IF anyone has used them or are using them...does it kill benficials like the several popular root innoculants?

 

[Apollonia]

I read a little about this type of product too and as I recall I said forget about it when I read on one site that it does kill your beneficial bacteria - however, I've received more nuanced information that while these UV Clarifiers kill organisms that float on the surface of the water - they do not kill beneficial bacteria that grows on rocks, sponges, barley balls & bio-balls. Besides, using a substrate like the ones I mentioned prevents a lot of the problems associated with hydro systems like bacterial slime clogging filters & emitters. Plus they live better when tey have something to live on rather than just free floating - this goes double for beneficial mycorrhizal fungi. So as long as you got one of those surfaces for your beneficials, you're ok to use the UV light to clean your water, hope that helps!

 

[Wait...What?]

or you could just use a piece of panda film as much to block algae formation...

 

[element420]

I read a little about this type of product too and as I recall I said forget about it when I read on one site that it does kill your beneficial bacteria - however, I've received more nuanced information that while these UV Clarifiers kill organisms that float on the surface of the water - they do not kill beneficial bacteria that grows on rocks, sponges, barley balls & bio-balls. Besides, using a substrate like the ones I mentioned prevents a lot of the problems associated with hydro systems like bacterial slime clogging filters & emitters. Plus they live better when tey have something to live on rather than just free floating - this goes double for beneficial mycorrhizal fungi. So as long as you got one of those surfaces for your beneficials, you're ok to use the UV light to clean your water, hope that helps!

Think the beneficials would be ok on STG? Was thinking of innoculating direct to the STG Insert . But I am using a Ebb & Grow and was thinking an inline uv clarifier might extend the time before changing my 50 gal res..maybe by just topping off...not sure how long I could get away with this....seems it be better for a DWC or Bubbleponic setup cause I hear alot of people get algae pretty quick unless they change frequently...IDK

 

[chytil151]

There is a guy that used it for the hydro slime in his RDWC and he said it worked pretty good and he didn't need to worry about water temps from it. I think he said he ran w/ 75 to 80 deg. rez temps. check out this thread the guys name is richeyrich http://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=55259 ,now he talks about it around post #337 this guy has at least 2 yrs of dedication against the slime in hydro. hope this helps in your search.

 

[element420]

There is a guy that used it for the hydro slime in his RDWC and he said it worked pretty good and he didn't need to worry about water temps from it. I think he said he ran w/ 75 to 80 deg. rez temps. check out this thread the guys name is richeyrich http://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=55259 ,now he talks about it around post #337 this guy has at least 2 yrs of dedication against the slime in hydro. hope this helps in your search.

thanks

 

[Apollonia]

Think the beneficials would be ok on STG? Was thinking of innoculating direct to the STG Insert . But I am using a Ebb & Grow and was thinking an inline uv clarifier might extend the time before changing my 50 gal res..maybe by just topping off...not sure how long I could get away with this....seems it be better for a DWC or Bubbleponic setup cause I hear alot of people get algae pretty quick unless they change frequently...IDK

I'm not overly familiar with STG as a product - it seems just like a simple inert, sterile medium - if it has places for the beneficials to live on, which it appears it does have - it should be good for them as long as they get their oxygen and their food (carbs/molasses/teas - whatever you're into)

I think your idea for an inline clarifier to give you a little breathing space between res changes (50 gallons, oy!) is a good idea & worth a try. Another thing you could consider - while I have no personal experience with DWC, I do have experience with Aeroponics, which is close. A well established grower I know of uses enzymes like Hygrozyme & Sensizyme, & other products to eat up all the nasties, but keep the beneficials - at least that is hat I have heard from them. Another thing to look into. chytil151 posted an excellent link, I've read that thread, it's very good. Good luck, I think you have a goal with many ways of attaining.

 

[chytil151]

Make sure that if u do decide to use hygrozyme in DWC and this is a must make sure your BB is colonized for at least 10days before adding it or u will have an outbreak of slime in your rez. thats how I came upon that thread. personaly I would just ditch the thought of even using hygrozyme at all w/ chem. nutes along w/ molasses's and other organics it just creates a monster that you just don't wanna have to deal with belive me.

 

[richyrich]

Words of experience.^^^

 

[brain candy]

Bump.. Anymore info on inline UV Clarifiers? Good idea or not??

 

[Think Green]

There are some research that shows uv/ozone can inhibit the growth of beneficial bacterias & fungi like mycorrhizae. I am curious to see some trials done with this idea.

 

[brain candy]

The odd thing is that the unit I am thinking of purchasing (designed for ponds) also contains bio balls & other mediums for the growth of beneficial bacteria, which is weird cause I heard that UV kills everything (from a dude at an aquarium), I'll post a link when I find it.

 

[brain candy]

Here we go, not the one I was looking at but this one is marketed for aquaponics applications and claims that it does not kill the beneficial bacteria but rather houses them.

http://www.adelaideaquaponics.com.au/?action=page.view&page=77