UV Light and the planted tank - Seachem

Newt · 05-19-2009, 05:05 PM

Which, if any, Seachem products for the planted tank are affected in any way by a UV sterilizer?
There's a thread in another forum on the use of UV sterilizers in planted tanks.

crystalview · 05-20-2009, 05:42 AM

I too would be interested in this. Is there a better time to use the Excel? Or a different amount since I run my 18w UV 24/7? My tank is low light, and of course grows slowly.

Seachem · 05-20-2009, 06:12 AM

Thanks for the question. Fortunately, none of the products in the Flourish line will be affected by UV light to any measurable degree.

Newt · 05-20-2009, 07:14 AM

Not even the iron supplements in Flourish and F. Iron or their chelates?

Seachem · 05-20-2009, 07:29 AM

deleted

Seachem · 05-20-2009, 07:42 AM

From what I understand, the typical UV exposure time that a sterilizer would provide is not really significant enough to measurably impact the form of the Flourish Iron. Good question though. I will see if our research director will agree to take a further look into this.

Newt · 05-20-2009, 09:10 AM

Thanks so much.

Seachem · 05-20-2009, 09:39 AM

No problem

Oreo · 05-26-2009, 01:20 PM

I'd like to ask an additional related question...

I read somewhere that Flourish Excel decomposes (into CO2?) when exposed to UV light. If so does that mean I could increase the dosage? I'm thinking a mid-day booster dose to help keep the available level up. I'm running a 75gal through a TurboTwist 6x (18w) UV filter at about 2gpm (fairly slow).

Thanks!

Seachem · 05-28-2009, 06:59 AM

We apologize for the confusion. I spoke with our Research Director, and as with Flourish Iron, the typical UV exposure time that a sterilizer would provide is not really significant enough to measurably impact the active ingredients in Flourish Excel. As for increasing your dosing of this product: it may be slowly increased in high-growth aquariums, but please do so cautiously.