Big Tank questionnaire

[SunnyHouTX]

I use an argon-halide fortified epsom salt that has the same effect as a expensive "big" UV sterilizer. Does wonders in preventing parasitic problems just like the UV sterilizer you use. Side effect is that my fish poop a lot but that's OK thanks the the Eheim 2262 canisters.

[eklikewhoa]

Hmm... that would only aid in digestion of and purging of any internal bacteria present in the digestive tract. BUT once in the water column it is free to spread and the vicious cycle of being ingested once again.

The amount of salts needed in the water column to disinfect would also be detrimental to the loving freshwater fish we own... and that would be sodium chloride and not magnesium sulfate in most cases.

The UV would strip the water of these living bacteria that are present by killing off what passes through the filter.

[SunnyHouTX]

That hasn't happened yet and I've left them alone for a week or so before. Must be the argon-halide fortification.

[tunedis95]

Wow, you have a big tank and you want to go bigger?!

How often do you do water changes?

What percentage of water do you replace?

How long does it take you?

I guess big tanks aren't bad if you do small water changes.

I think one size bigger and I'll be totally happy. I really enjoy my tank. One water change a month, drain about 3/4 of the tank, change carbon, 7inch sock filter, add filter to custom pump and clean glass in a little over a hr. 30 Minutes drain and 30 minutes to fill. Next tank, I'll have the water changes automated as well as feeding automated.

And as for UV. Whatever u feel like doing. Have had my fish for a while with no issues and crystal clear water. No UV here

[eklikewhoa]

Argon halide fortified just means you over paid for epsom salt IMO...

Not to say that its not just luck but something you are doing right in terms of not have had any problems

[SunnyHouTX]

I guess a lot of precautions go into me getting the fish that go in my tanks. Got to find and stick with sources with known good disease free stock, proper filtration, water temps, maintaining constant levels epsom salt (the non argon-halide fortified variety of course) in the water by replenishing what's removed during water changes, etc., etc., ad nauseum. But I'm preaching to the choir over here. I've never had a recurring parasite/bacteria/microbe issue that warrants spending extra dough on a big UV sterilizer. And like I said, it's just cheaper for me to use meds to treat whatever little thing that pops up, and using carbon and Purigen to remove the meds from the water as well as weekly water changes means my fish are happy, healthy and write home to momma every week.

[eklikewhoa]

So if in the event, you would allow your fish to suffer illness and possible death instead of preventing the problem?


I was hoping for more reasons why a UV isn't necessary or possibly useless in the sense that most bacteria/pathogens are short lived in the water column without a host or how an inefficient sized one does little to no good on any size aquarium since there needs to be a minimum amount of UV to actually kill protozoa and the like. There's also been the argument where too much preventatives actually have caused fish's immune system to weaken once acclimated to UV life since their bodies are use to not having them present.

But a simple cause I don't see the need will suffice.

)

I don't run UV, don't even think they are the solution when it comes to green water but that's just my personal opinion/experience.

[SunnyHouTX]

Thought I already said that jedi master. It was drowned out in a sea if ek juju in all your posts.

No use for a UV sterilizer.

[eklikewhoa]

That's what I meant... I guess since there is no other reason behind your statement then your statement will suffice.

I think it's snake oil and have cured and prevented all said illness/problems without the use of an UV.

[SunnyHouTX]

Must be. God knows how I survived so far with out a big UV sterilizer

[aggrofishkeeper]

but but... 3x2217s @ 159 = 477gal worth of filtration.

)

I think you took what I said in Cuongs thread and twisted around and now you're just trolling. He has a 150g, which 1 2262 (1 2262 for 100g of water) and a PC300 would be perfect and needed no more.

1 2217 in a 100g of water is just retarded especially for any cichlids because they're such messy eaters.

[eklikewhoa]

I think you took what I said in Cuongs thread and twisted around and now you're just trolling. He has a 150g, which 1 2262 (1 2262 for 100g of water) and a PC300 would be perfect and needed no more.

1 2217 in a 100g of water is just retarded especially for any cichlids because they're such messy eaters.

I am trolling but at the same time your replies have been hyprocitical. A 2217 would work if you do water changes, before the era of fancy canisters ugf did the work of what several canisters and wet/dry filters do today. Just some food for thought.

[eklikewhoa]

Btw, my comments here were not directed to anyone and if it was intended to be it was to sunny. But you've owned up to it so I'll play along.

[SunnyHouTX]

)

Thanks aggrofishkeeper

[crazy42bmx]

In the end we all just do wat we feel works best for our own tanks. So long as the fish are in good health and happy. Theres not really a defined right or wrong way to set up a tank.