UV Sterilizer

[rwspear76]

I have a UV sterilizer that came with my yet to be set up 120 gallon tank, and I am considering putting it on my 55. What are the advantages of this sterilizer, how do I set it up, and is it worth the hassel in a 55 G tank? Any pics os a set up and running sterilizer would be great. Thank you.

[jm1212]

the sterilizer will prevent any algea, etc. from reproducing, thus eventually wiping it out.

is there a reason you want to run the UV sterilizer on the tank?

[theotheragentm]

The sterilizers only prevents green water algae. I don't really think it's necessary.

[erin14]

I have a UV sterilizer on my tank and its always running. I love it to be honest. Water is always clear (well clear, but tea colored from the driftwood) and looks really good. Its also good for like mentioned earlier algae but if you ever get cloudy water for whatever reason this will clear it up. The only thing is you have to change/rinse out the sponges about every 2-3 weeks, thats what I do with mine anyway. No hassle at all really, other then just putting it together, which might take a grand total of 5 mintues and it comes with instructions. Then all you do is stick it to the glass under the water, and plug it in. Your done! I can take a picture of it later if you really want to see it hahahah. Its nothing fancy.

[Chaka]

Hope some of this helps, also Unlpug if water is not running in it. Take care.



UV filters are NOT able to kill



algae that is stuck to the glass, fish, rocks, plants

parasites your fish are already infected with

bacteria your fish are already infected with

So who should consider a UV sterilizer?


Aquarists who own expensive or breeding fish they don't want to risk to infection. In this case the UV sterilizer will keep the water clean of parasites and free floating bacteria. This greatly reduces the chances of these costly fish becoming infected with something.

Owners who run high intensity lighting and are at risk for free floating algae blooms. Free floating algae blooms are caused by something becoming unbalanced in the tank ecosystem. The UV won't correct the imbalance, but it will clear the water buying the owner time to figure out what went wrong.

Owners with a large investment in live plants or salt water reef organisms. All it takes is an algae bloom or some sort of parasite to attack the tank and the owner can loose thousands of dollars in living structure. In cases like this a UV filter will pay for itself by a factor of 10.

[ScottyNorq]

I have one for my 72 gallon. I havent put it in yet but i was told not to run it more then a few hours a day so it doesnt kill off all the beneficial bacteria. I plan on plugging it into a timer like my lights. Mine is one of those all in one kind with a built in power head

[rwspear76]

I have a UV sterilizer on my tank and its always running. I love it to be honest. Water is always clear (well clear, but tea colored from the driftwood) and looks really good. Its also good for like mentioned earlier algae but if you ever get cloudy water for whatever reason this will clear it up. The only thing is you have to change/rinse out the sponges about every 2-3 weeks, thats what I do with mine anyway. No hassle at all really, other then just putting it together, which might take a grand total of 5 mintues and it comes with instructions. Then all you do is stick it to the glass under the water, and plug it in. Your done! I can take a picture of it later if you really want to see it hahahah. Its nothing fancy.

Please do, i didnt see any sponges with it, keep in mind I got it used and i have no instructions


I was thinking about hooking it up because I heard they can be of great advantages, thus, the question about their advantages.

And no its not running with no water in it, it is in a box.

Thank you for the help so far, would love to see some pics.

[The Zigman]

I have one piped into my FW 125... Anyone else use one in a FW system?? Wanted to eliminate the possibility of parasites on the discus... that I still dont have:headshake2:

[Star_Rider]

Please do, i didnt see any sponges with it, keep in mind I got it used and i have no instructions


I was thinking about hooking it up because I heard they can be of great advantages, thus, the question about their advantages.

And no its not running with no water in it, it is in a box.

Thank you for the help so far, would love to see some pics.
if you run the uv sterilizer inline with a cannister or sump you won't use prefitler sponges.

many are designed for HOB they are fed water thru a powerhead (prefilter on the powerhead/pump)

keep in mind the effectiveness of the uv is directly related to the organisms contact time with UV light.

if set up correctly the uv will kill free floating parasites and bacteria.
it will also kill greew water (floating algae)

it will also kill beneficial bacteria(free floating)

I run one on my marine tank from time to time. but never all the time..you do need to replace the bulb as it wil weaken with time. and you need to keep the glass sleeve clean.

[TEL]

I have one on my fresh water it is on the output side of the sump, I have a T pice with a tap witch diverts the excess pressure from the pump through the uv witch then returns back next to the return pump and eventuly all of the water goes through it and it cleared up a problem real fast. For a uv to work the water has to pass through it slowly so the uv has time to kill all the bad bateria ect.