billy111 Posted January 19, 2010 Report Share Posted January 19, 2010 Hey guys for the past few years in the hobby ive had problems with this black/brown gunk that fills up in the pipes of filters e.t.c. I was wondering whether there was anyway to prevent this rather than cleaning pipes every week. Would a UV sterilizer help? what would be the best for a 4'x2'x2'. Thanks for your help. Billy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shon982 Posted January 19, 2010 Report Share Posted January 19, 2010 I think a way a UV sterelizer works is that it kills any algae that passes through it, so i assume that the algae must be floating in the water for it to be killed? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevebris Posted January 19, 2010 Report Share Posted January 19, 2010 Hey Billy I wouldn't worry about it, but you obviously don't like it? So get a UV sterilizer, then get black pipes to keep the light off them..... Bout all I can offer mate......... Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shon982 Posted January 19, 2010 Report Share Posted January 19, 2010 I have one for sale :eureka: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevebris Posted January 19, 2010 Report Share Posted January 19, 2010 Was waiting for your plug Shon! At least it is going cheap! Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billy111 Posted January 19, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 19, 2010 haha how much were you looking for shon? and does the uv sterilizer work similar to a cannisiter filter in the way that it takes the water out of the tank thru pipes and puts it back in? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
liljohn_83 Posted January 19, 2010 Report Share Posted January 19, 2010 i dont no if its compleetly stopable maby black pipes so you cannot see it lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shon982 Posted January 19, 2010 Report Share Posted January 19, 2010 It's an Atman 11W UV sterelizer, I haven't used it before and I have everything that it came with in the box http://www.sella.co.nz/general/pets-ani ... rs/5560mm/ its like the one on that site Basically, if you've got a canister filter on the return pipe... 1. Cut the return pipe 2. attach the end thats coming from the canister to the input end of the unit 3. attach the left over cut bit of the pipe to the output end of the unit 4. put the output end in the tank The only reason I haven't used it is because i haven't bought the necessary 'stuff' to make the pipes water tight when connected to the sterilizer but I've got everything that came in the box so it runs from the canister through the sterilizer then to the tank The same can be down using a power head with a pipe attached to it that runs outside the tank to the sterilizer It's basically a canister filter but it doesn't have a pump inside it so thats why its connected to a power head/pump/canister Price sent in PM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BettaSphynx Posted January 20, 2010 Report Share Posted January 20, 2010 it may not all be algae. Fats and fat soluble vitamins from fish food will coat glass and pipes. It builds up over time as a brown sludge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazyD Posted January 20, 2010 Report Share Posted January 20, 2010 I get it in my pipes too dude and not much you can do hey...i run UV on all my tanks and it only kills the stuff that passes through so my pips are black after the UV but clear b4 and tank is always clear aswell. I just change my pips every time i shut my canisiter down for cleaning. will take a pic of my pipes now so you can see dude. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shon982 Posted January 20, 2010 Report Share Posted January 20, 2010 Ah I think I know what you guys are talking about, It just builds up over time and its like a sludgey type thing which occurs on hardware? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shon982 Posted January 20, 2010 Report Share Posted January 20, 2010 If so, then no a UV sterilizer will not work Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazyD Posted January 20, 2010 Report Share Posted January 20, 2010 this is what mine looks like after bout 4months from new dudes. nothing to worry bout its just afer the UV....just looks like cr*p hey.lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billy111 Posted January 20, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 20, 2010 yeah haha it looks like that crap CrazyD, it annoys the hell out of me!! :hothead: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
