planted tank, algae, UV sterilizer?

[rdmpe]

I have a chance to pick up a used UV sterilizer for very cheap. I think it would be useful as a way to clear up the water in my planted tank when it sometimes gets a greenish tint from waterborne algae. My snails to a great job on the surface algae.

Anyone use the UV sterilizers? It's a 30 G tank with one Eheim 2213 on it. I can get a 4 Watt or an 8 Watt. I was told that the 4 watt would be better than the 8 watt for a 30g tank. He also said that too strong/long exposure of UV could be bad for the water chemestry as it can break down other compounds in the water that shouldn't be broken down. Comments?

Thanks,
Randy

[NJ Devils Fan]

I would go with an 8 watt one for the tank. I have mine on(18 watt on a 72g) 24/7. Never once had a problem with anything. I do not believe that having it on too long will negatively effect the water. Again, you can't have it on any longer then I have had mine on and everything has been fine.

The U.V. will clear up green water, but you should try to find the cause of it. Check out this link (http://members.tripod.com/njdevilsfan130/algae.htm) for help.

[rdmpe]

I've been searching around the web for aquanetics. I don't see a 4 watt model anywhere. Not sure why this guy says he has one.

It looks like Aquanetics is out of business. Phone and website are not working.

I see the max flow rate for the 8 watt model is 642 gph. I think my eheim 2213 flow rate is around 150 gph so the contact time would be way up there at my flow rate!

[NJ Devils Fan]

It doesn't matter, a U.V. has no ill effects on the water no matter how long you keep it on for, at least I haven't had any problems and I see no reason for there to be any problems.

[Gomer]

The ONLY bad thing a UV will do is break Chelated bonds (ie Iron organically bound to ETDA). This is only an issue if you run a UV in a planted tank that has high light (cause Iron dosing is important here).