Originally Posted by
dspeers
Also I fully agree with using a UV sterilizer, and yes, with sterilization at your sump's flow rate, not just clarification. Discus come from water with very low bacterial counts due to acidic water. Bacterial doubling times in the water column vary from fast growers requiring no more than 10 minutes to fastidious species that take all of 12 hours. Water changes will inhibit that somewhat by diluting required substrate, but UV will be much more effective. I have not found compelling evidence that this will actually prevent or reduce disease, but that would be fairly hard to demonstrate. Regardless, intuitively it strikes me that markedly reducing pathogen numbers in the water column is a good thing. Also for fun looked at Ozone, but you make a mistake with that and things you like die. Also, the best way to ensure that you have eliminated the Ozone is through UV.....so under the KISS approach (works very well for me, prior Army), why add the Ozone if you need UV anyway......