Uv to keep bacteria in check

Just curious if anyone has used uv filters designed for ponds in a hydroponic reservoir. This is what I was looking at http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0002568Y0.

Trying to avoid using a chiller in my ucdwc.

Water purification and chillers are for totally different things, like a T-bone steak vs. a tailored silk suit.

mtgeezer said:

Water purification and chillers are for totally different things, like a T-bone steak vs. a tailored silk suit.

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Yes pretty sure even just the names imply a significant difference. You totally missed my question. Pretty sure the only reason you have more posts than I is because of comments like this one. One keeps the temperatures out of optimal bacteria breeding environment. The other would destroy bacteria, at least in theory. Now, would a UV filter be significant enough to keep a hydroponic reservoir sterile? Would it have any adverse effects? I have seen them used in fish tanks and ponds but have yet to find any information on them being used in hydroponic cultivation.

I do believe, if i recall correctly, that the uv does something to certain elements in the nutes like oxidizes them or something. I just remember it wasnt good.

I've seen people use those uv filters when starting in aquaculture. (basically hydroponics with fish). They work!

superstoner has a point though. I think the UVB messes with chelating agends in your nutrients. Maybe that just means you'll have to change your res every week instead of every two...

superstoner1 said:

I do believe, if i recall correctly, that the uv does something to certain elements in the nutes like oxidizes them or something. I just remember it wasnt good.

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I just found another forum debating whether or not it causes iron to fall out of solution. There was no definite answer though. no one had empirical evidence nor personal experience. Aquaculture is what led me to believe that a UV would work in hydroponics. I guess I shall go with a chiller. Im tired of having to fight root rot with bennies and enzymes. Chillers are just so pricey.

make a chiiller out of a old refridgerator

The trick is UVB.
UVB at certain strength kills of fungus, germs and other bacteria http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultraviolet_germicidal_irradiation

There are some good products on the market. I believe you should be looking in the aqaurium stores for those.

Though I have no personal experience, I have been reading up as I was interrested in cleanlights airfilter to prevent molds starting at my air inlet and such http://www.cleanlighthobbyunit.com/en/cleanlight-air.html

while scouring their site I ran into their mobile hand unit I'm considering buying to keep molds of my plants http://www.cleanlighthobbyunit.com/en/cleanlight-hobby-unit.html

Might be a bit expesnive for some, but if it does half they say it should, then it will be well worth it.

^^ True or you could supplement your flower lighting with reptile uvb bulbs. I've heard of uvb doing great things for plants but i did not know you could directly apply a large concentration to the plants foliage to prevent mold. I'm thinking of something a little different, but along the same premise. To sterilize with uv I thought all wavelengths had to be present, not just UVb. For example to purify water from microorganisms UVC is used

Cannikid said:

^^ True or you could supplement your flower lighting with reptile uvb bulbs. I've heard of uvb doing great things for plants but i did not know you could directly apply a large concentration to the plants foliage to prevent mold. I'm thinking of something a little different, but along the same premise. To sterilize with uv I thought all wavelengths had to be present, not just UVb. For example to purify water from microorganisms UVC is used

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I had emailed that company for the lights, asking a question about the reptile lights, if the uvb was the same.
But its suposed to be a less strong light, and will work a bit, but far from ideal.

On their site they also sell the special safety goggles and gloves for the hand unit and have strict instructions about exposure times of minutes, unlike the reptile lights, whom are on a lot more.
Im not familair with water purifying with uvc, but from what I understood, the uvb has a needed spectrum range to kill certain bacteria, and I would assume, a little water will not stop the uvb waves.

bseeds said:

make a chiiller out of a old refridgerator

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I've seen DIYs where they take the guts out of a fridge and put the condenser in the res. I would think that would be bulky

Cannikid said:

I just found another forum debating whether or not it causes iron to fall out of solution. There was no definite answer though. no one had empirical evidence nor personal experience. Aquaculture is what led me to believe that a UV would work in hydroponics. I guess I shall go with a chiller. Im tired of having to fight root rot with bennies and enzymes. Chillers are just so pricey.

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It would cause bacterial Iron to fall out of solution.

Hey RIU mates... I was wondering if any of the og's can chime in on this, Im pondering the same thing lately after running H2o2 as a reservoir cleanse. Would uv-lighting work in the same way if applied to the reservoir in intervals?.. since we're not in the business of inoculating bacteria/fungi ?

Cheers!
FR
(I also run my 120-sites with chillers and love them. Not necessarily necessary in climate I live in but in more humid/hotter regions I think its a plus)

FR

There are microbes floating around in the air and covering everything... what is to keep the water pure once you have sterilized it and it's sitting in a res for 2 weeks?