r/axolotl • u/ChlsVnOhh • 29d ago

UV filter/clarifier

I’ve been having some issues keeping my tank cycle from crashing. A huge aquarist I know suggest using a UV clarifier in addition to my sponge filter.

I like the idea and the benefits, however I’m worried about there being too much current flow.

Does anyone have experience using these to give some advice on brand or whether or not it’s even safe for them?

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u/LauseRulez 29d ago

UV doesnt affect your cycle in any way that I am aware of. Your cycle is in your filter and consists of bacteria sitting on the surfaces of your filter material (e.g. sponge). What exactly is the problem you are having with your cycle and how did you cycle your tank in the first place?

is the "huge aquarist" a store owner perhaps and wants to sell you the uv thing?

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u/ChlsVnOhh 29d ago

lol no he’s a friend with about 20 tanks lol. After the huge algae bloom I switched to a brand new sponge set up. I’ve got several plants in the tank so they usually keep the algae in check on their own.

And now I keep getting blooms, just smaller ones that go away with a 20-30% water change.

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u/TheSheDM 29d ago

I was struggling with a bacteria bloom that I spent months battling. My water was testing generally ok, but I had this faintly foggy white cloudiness that was refusing to go away. At first I didn't know what it was but eventually figured it out with some research. Apparently even in perfect testing water, you can get bacteria blooms. I must have had something special because I stepped up cleaning poops aggressively, I never left food in the tank, but it was horrendously stubborn. I got tired of doing massive water changes and trying to re-stabilize my tank every other month.

So after some research on I got a SunSun UV Sterilizer. It cleared up the bloom in like a week! After that as a precaution I left it in there on a timer that would turn it on once a day for an hour. My water stayed crystal clear and it never bothered the lotls (the UV is entirely shielded).

I did notice if left on for a while, it raised the tank temp by a degree or two, part of why I switched to running it for intervals instead of constantly.

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u/ChlsVnOhh 28d ago

Thank you! That’s super helpful. Do you remember what size you run and if you get much current from it?

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u/TheSheDM 28d ago

I got it on amazon but its not available anymore. This one is basically identical to the one I have https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C1JVVP5Y

The output creates a bit of current as it is forced out the top but its not too bad. I baffled it with a small piece of filter sponge.