UV Sterilizer-Would it help?

Attached algae it will not help. It is only useful for things in the water column that would be circulated through the UV unit. I use one as needed, but not for algae, I use it for bacteria in Q tanks. It is effective for that I have found. There is some pretty good information here, which is where I bought my unit. http://americanaquariumproducts.com/AquariumUVSterilization.html

My experiences with using a UV sterilizer for several years has been very good.
They certainly help with producing very high water quality and conditions, among the other good things they do, with respect to circulation, water flow/movement, removing surface film, oxygenating, etc..

And of course they effectively deal with green water conditions, but will not rid your tank of any other algae unless you can get it free-floating into the water column, so that the UV can pick it up & nuke it.
I suggest you wipe/scub/remove all the algae that you can from the glass and plants - often if need be, & get it free-flowing in the water where the UC can pick it up & deal with it.
Won't remedy the root cause of the algae, but will help limit it & control it as it grows.

I personally see no use for them. I guess they can kill certain things that can flow through them but they never fix the underlying reason for bacteria or algae etc.

Water changes, fertilization, co2, lighting, quarantine, hospital tanks and general maintenance are all extremely important in maintaining a healthy tank that is free from algae and bacteria.

If you have to pull and scrub you most likely need to fix some things with your tank. UV might not have helped avoid this.

-Chris

Coach- I suggest you try importing recently caught fish from acid waters as in the Orinoco Basic, Rio Negro etc. and having them live 3 weeks if you do not have a UV unit which was on the tank before they arrived and for some time after they go in. My experience is limited to wild altums in this regard.

You will learn the usefulness of a UV unit.

coach_z said:

I personally see no use for them. I guess they can kill certain things that can flow through them but they never fix the underlying reason for bacteria or algae etc.

Water changes, fertilization, co2, lighting, quarantine, hospital tanks and general maintenance are all extremely important in maintaining a healthy tank that is free from algae and bacteria.

If you have to pull and scrub you most likely need to fix some things with your tank. UV might not have helped avoid this.

-Chris

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Having used them myself, I totally agree with this. They are like putting a band aid on a problem. Find out what the problem with your algae and parasites are, and fix it. If you want to use them in a QT tank when importing fish, then that is probably a good idea. But for the average hobbyist, they are not a necessary expense. Keeping up with water changes, having lights on a timer, and using a QT before putting new stock into an established tank would be the best thing to do without spending money on a UV sterilizer and pump for it.