Hi all, I was wondering if anyone could shed some light on their personal experiences with UV sterilizers in terms of decreasing the prevalence of disease. I just came across a good deal and discovered the existence of the Cobalt Aquatics Duo Aquarium Filter with 500 UV Clarifier and it got me to wondering if this could be a lifesaver in term of fish transport. Currently, my fish transportation setup consists of a large cooler with a Fluval 3 Plus plugged into an inverter in the back of my SUV.

While I normally don't have too many problems with the addition of salt and perhaps a little prime or slime coat product, I still occasionally have problems with fin rot with sensitive shiners, or the often challenging coastal plain blackwater type species. This filter intrigues me as it seems quite similar and as capable as my current filter, but I am wondering if the addition of a UV filter to the collection/transport/acclimation/quarantine cooler could be helpful in keeping some of the more sensitive animals alive. As an added benefit, when not collecting, this could be used in one of my regular tanks to add the benefit of running UV. I had no idea there were such a thing as UV spectrum LEDs, so this is especially cool since most LED systems require a bulb to be replaced at a fairly high frequency, while it seems like these (like other LEDs) have an extended useful life.

If anyone has any useful insight concerning running UV, I'd be happy to hear it, since it is one of very few aquarium technologies I have not played with. Thanks.

This is mostly speculation. I don't think it will do any good with transport. The pathogens that affect fish are already present in and on the fish. The stress weakens the immune system and makes them symptomatic. Sterilizing the water won't do much in my opinion. Limiting stress is the best line of defense.

Following the manufacturer's recommendations on a hobby grade UV unit will give you a very effective means of controlling green water, and little else. I can't get the link up, but go to the Aqua UV website and take a look at their sizing guide. It's based upon the amount of radiation exposure needed to kill a particular organism, and is very enlightening.

UV might be helpful against ich, velvet, some other pathogens in an aquarium, but I agree with Matt's opinion that it's not likely to help much against Flexibacter (Columnaris), the #1 disease problem associated with collecting and transport. Minimizing stress-induced ion loss with brief and gentle handling, quick transfer from net to bucket, ion-enriched water in the collecting bucket (before fish are added), and aeration are the keys to survival, IMO.

I use the medium size kordon breathable bags (ie. 7.5x12) to transport fish from creeks to home. I bought it directly from the company, http://www.kordon.co...-bags#suppliers! For big fish, you could use the really big bag. I always reuse those bags but if use often, the bag will lose the elasticity. I put those bags into the cooler. Inside the cooler, I have pvc pipes and egg-crate to create 2-levels to hold the man bags. I have them in the cooler for 2 days and they seem to be find. Good thing about the bag is it is a space saver.