Simply Koi and More Koi

I noticed from the responses on another thread Geoff and Gazza saying they don't use a uv. I don't either and was wondering if there were less of us using uv in this group?

In my experience of planted freshwater tanks algae break outs are related to mini ammonia spikes and build up of organic wastes rather than too much light and I'm wondering if there's a similar correlation here?

I need to add I leave mine on in the winter to keep it warm to stop it freezing not because I think its doing much.

What data is there on UV causing algae to clump for easier filtrartion, what flow rates and what levels of UV exposure and at what wave lengths ? do all UV tubes put out UV at the same wave length or is it just at the UV end of the light spectrum?

Just some questions stimulated by the origional question.

Peter

I switched mine on a few days ago as nights are getting lighter now, and I've got a bit of green growth on pond walls, as long as it doesn't get any longer!!!

hi
I sometimes turn mine on,only when the water in the vortex has a green tinge to it.The vortex is white so it shows the colour of the water better.
I do suffer from the stringy stuff on the btm and some way up the sides.Doesnt bother me too much apart from collecting poo.The uv doesnt seem to affect the weed or should it?

Darren

Hi Eds
Not changed my tubes in 3years as I never put it on anymore,water seems fine as it's got a pergola with triple polycarb to keep the sun off..if we get any

Regards Geoff

Cheers guys, keep 'em coming! Got a follow up question on the way!

haven't used mine for two years ...

Hi Ed,

I had a uv on my old pond and when i built the new pond i switched it over but never turned it on and it just sat in the pipework doing nothing apart from restricting the flow and bearing in mind it was on there for a good few years i decided to take it off years ago but did keep the UV just in case

The funny thing is we recently went to the Midlands show and a budding young koi keeper come along with me and we was chatting and it turned out he was going to get a new UV hey i thought i have one of them stuffed in the filter bay doing nothing so my old UV now lives another day on a new pond

I bet the pond goes green now

I used one last year and now I think about it, not really able to say if it did any good or not, still had periods of green water, to put it in perspective we are talking a yamitsu 55w on a 1500 gal pond, my pond can be in direct sun most of the day so it goes green very easily, It will be interesting if running RO/hiflow trickle in this year will reduce the greenstuff as there will barely be any nitrate build up. It is not going to be coonected at mo as need to work out how to plumb in my new bead filter and heater and UV and thinking about the plumbing needed is making my head hurt.

Hi I have a UV on both my ponds as they are in full sun most of the day in spring summer and Autumn (when we get some sun)I have tried turning them off but the water does go a bit green and not so crustal clear.

Hi Lee,

Have you ever left them off for a while and give the system time to adapt to see what happens

No not for an extended time as soon as it go's slightly green I have turned it back on

I have the same issue water goes green without the UV, clears quite quickly once it's switched back on.

Leave on all year round to stop it freezing etc, 55watt TMC on 1000gallons (overkill yes but got it cheap off Duncan with the future in mind).

I have one on My system, plumbed it in with the build. I am in direct sunlight all year round. I have never turned it on though the first year I went a nice pea green soup colour for a few weeks then it slowly became clearer and at best I could see 4ft down. Next summer gin clear all year and has stayed that way ever since.
Justin

Yep my pond goes pea green as well nust the tropical climate in the south of England but don't Koi lovely those lovely algae rich waters.....just like their ponds ! It's sad we want to look at them really I am sure they would be happier in pea soup.

Peter