UV Sterilizer

Wishful

AC Members
Jun 4, 2006
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Mesa, AZ
Any opinions on the value of UV sterilizers?

In about a month or two we should have our 140 gallon tank ready to be set up. We're building the stand ourselves so the timing of actually getting the tank will depend alot on how quickly that goes. In the meantime, we're working on the equipment choices and design plans for the aquascaping.

We'll have a light set up for roughly 7wpg, will be running a combo chiller/heater as we're in the southwest and overheating is a major threat, canister filter (eheim is all I know, partner's doing that equipment research).

I'll be adding fish gradually and *plan* to stay a little understocked, but am fully away I may end up with more fish than planned.

Is a UV sterilizer going to be worth the cost in terms of value?
 
Uv

UV Sterilizers are considered most effective when the diameter of the water chamber is 3 inches. Also, sterilizers 36W and above would be a safe bet to deal with the various types of algae/pathogens found in most freshwater aquaria. This is according to the book "Aquatic Systems Engineering: Devices and How They Function" by Pedro Ramon Escobal, which I think is a great read for any serious hobbyist.

Also, I would prefer those sterilizers which have the UV lamp enclosed in a quartz sleeve. Furthermore, a quartz sleeve wiper for fast, convenient and routine maintenance is also a great feature one might look for.
 
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