For safety and efficacy, the water pump and air pump should remain ON, while the UV sterilizer must be turned OFF.
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Keep Water & Air Pumps Running:
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Oxygen Supply: Continuous aeration is crucial as most medications increase the fish's metabolic stress and oxygen demand. Turning off pumps risks hypoxia.
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Even Distribution: Water circulation ensures the medication is uniformly mixed throughout the entire pond volume, preventing localized high concentrations that could harm fish and ensuring all areas receive a therapeutic dose.
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Turn Off the UV Sterilizer:
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Preserve Potency: The ultraviolet light from the sterilizer can degrade many medications (e.g., antibiotics, parasiticides), breaking down their active molecules and significantly reducing treatment effectiveness.
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Timing: The UV should remain off for the entire treatment duration and typically for several days afterward, as per the medication's instructions, to allow it to work fully.
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Key Additional Note: Before adding medication, always confirm the exact volume of your pond using the pump's flow rate and a timer for accuracy, as overdosing is a common error. After treatment, perform a partial water change and consider using activated carbon to remove residual medication before restarting the UV sterilizer.
