Ich, dinos and UV question (for those who do ich management)

Idech · Mar 26, 2023

I have dinos in the tank. I’ve had them for more than a year and the tank is 18 months old. They used to be under control but I had to do 2 x big WC and they came back with a vengeance.

I have been running my UV for a while, to manage ich that got in my tank a few months ago. I just reintroduced my tang after treating so I need the UV to keep the ich levels low (I can’t go fallow and don’t want to).

I started dosing silicates again a few days ago but just realized the UV might be preventing them from growing. If so, how long can I turn the UV off before the ich population starts growing ?

What’s my best possible solution to this problem ?

blaxsun · Mar 26, 2023

I run my UV 24/7 and have since I had a velvet outbreak about 18 months ago. Since then, I haven't had a single outbreak of anything nor lost a fish to disease.

Munjy · Mar 26, 2023

I run my UV 24/7 on my 135g mixed reef and my 45g fowlr as well. Ive had no issues in either tank.

Idech · Mar 26, 2023

blaxsun said:
I run my UV 24/7 and have since I had a velvet outbreak about 18 months ago. Since then, I haven't had a single outbreak of anything nor lost a fish to disease.

Munjy said:
I run my UV 24/7 on my 135g mixed reef and my 45g fowlr as well. Ive had no issues in either tank.

I’m happy to hear, but in my particular situation, do you think the UV is keeping the diatoms from establishing despite the silicate dosing ?

blaxsun · Mar 26, 2023

Idech said:
I’m happy to hear, but in my particular situation, do you think the UV is keeping the diatoms from establishing despite the silicate dosing ?

No, I don't think the UV is keeping diatoms from being established. The majority of the rock (~80lbs) I added to my tank 2 years ago was only lightly "seasoned", and I've had a UV running ever since. Every time I add a small piece of rock I get diatoms forming literally within days and coralline within several weeks.

Idech · Mar 26, 2023

blaxsun said:
No, I don't think the UV is keeping diatoms from being established. The majority of the rock (~80lbs) I added to my tank 2 years ago was only lightly "seasoned", and I've had a UV running ever since. Every time I add a small piece of rock I get diatoms forming literally within days and coralline within several weeks.

Great, that’s good news ! I’ll keep it on then and hope diatoms start growing more.