Inline UV water filter?

I'm contemplating adding an inline ultraviolet filter to my Aero-hybrid setup. Probably placed right before or after the chiller.

Thought: prevent any possibility of contaminate buildup in the res, therefor prolonging necessity for res changes. (BTW, RO-DI water being used w/ GH liq).

2nd Thought: possibility of reaction with nutrients or just a waste of resources.

Does anybody have any ideas on this? I'd appreciate any help.

AeroKing said:

I'm contemplating adding an inline ultraviolet filter to my Aero-hybrid setup. Probably placed right before or after the chiller.

Thought: prevent any possibility of contaminate buildup in the res, therefor prolonging necessity for res changes. (BTW, RO-DI water being used w/ GH liq).

2nd Thought: possibility of reaction with nutrients or just a waste of resources.

Does anybody have any ideas on this? I'd appreciate any help.

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UV does one thing, and one thing only--kills microorganisms (though I can see how it would break down nutrients, same as though they're left out in the sun I'm guessing). At least, that's how it's used in aquatic applications.

If you want oxidation or breakdown of contaminants or other chemistry, I believe you'll prefer an ozonizer. Honestly, though, if you're passing RO water through it, I see it as a bit of a waste of resources.

also just remember UV light kills what don't want, BUT ALSO what you want (like all the helpful microorganism)

and yeap maybe UV lights could have some side effects on the nutrients

UV lights add heat to the h2o which will make your chiller work harder.

Thank you all for your replies. My biggest fear is that I keep reading about root rot being a problem with this type of system.
I need this system to be as maintenance free as possible and reducing res changes will help immensely. The chiller is oversized, and I think it would be ok. I'd just hate to find out that I was doing more damage than good by possibly ruining the important nutrients.
Would the "good micro-organisms" thing still come into play if I'm using the General Hydro Liquid Nutrient in RO water?

UV would be terrible for an organic grow, it would kill all the beneficial micro organisims, for your situation, I'd say it's overkill.

In Hydroponic Food Production, by Howard Resh the affect of UV sterilizers on hydroponic nutrients are noted as follows:

"Myohyddin (1985) found that boron and manganese contents in a nutrient solution were reduced by more than 20 percent over a period of 24 hours of sterilization. The most significant effect was on iron, which was precipitated as hydrous ferric oxide. Nearly 100 percent of the iron was affected. The iron precipitate coated lines and the quartz sleeve of the sterilizer, thereby reducing UV transmission."

He then goes on to say that perhaps another form of iron chelate could be used. I think they were working with the iron chelate "Sequestrene" at 10.5% iron.

AeroKing said:

Would the "good micro-organisms" thing still come into play if I'm using the General Hydro Liquid Nutrient in RO water?

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in theory (because you are using an hydro system and RO water+nutes, so if you are not using any other organic complement/nutrient) I wouldn't care about killing those things with the UV light

But... there's also the possibility that the UV light would affects something on the nutes

check the Mycoblue post..

Mycoblue said:

"Myohyddin (1985) found that boron and manganese contents in a nutrient solution were reduced by more than 20 percent over a period of 24 hours of sterilization. The most significant effect was on iron, which was precipitated as hydrous ferric oxide. Nearly 100 percent of the iron was affected. The iron precipitate coated lines and the quartz sleeve of the sterilizer, thereby reducing UV transmission."

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You rock Stig...

I'm giving you +rep just for being the best driver on television...

I fucking love Top Gear!