Uv Sterilizer. Check this out

stratusfearrr

stratusfearrr

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Feb 25, 2009
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it will only help clear your water if the cloudiness is due to a living organism that can be eliminated by a UV sterilizer. If it is micro particles they will not go away. once you find the reason for your cloudy water then you can figure out if UV is the way to solve it, or if there is a cheaper way to fix it..
 
Also if the problem can be solved with an UV unit, Petsmart carries an inexpensive line of units called the Green Killing Machine, 9watt - $39 and 25watt - $59. They work very well and petsmart keeps replacement bulbs in stock too.
 
i use uv and i agree with both statements above. try a micron pad in your filter first.
 
stratusfearrr said:
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+4393+19643&pcatid=19643

I was looking at the nine watt version of this for my freshwater 46 gallon bowfront. MY water has become cloudy lately (not an algae bloom). I have heard alot about these being able to keep your water amazingly clear.

What do you think? will it work?
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Those cheap designs are a pain in the arse. They clog easily, the bulbs can be hard to find, parts, etc., etc. The Green Killing Machine suffers from these same defects.

This is the design I most favor:

http://cgi.ebay.com/New-9W-UV-Steri...emQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item255625cb2c

While many will say 9 watts is good for a 46g tank, I would not. For a few bucks more, an 18w would be much quicker, and kill difficult to kill organisms much easier/completely.

You will have to also supply the vinyl tubing to the unit, along with a small powerhead/pump to push the water through the unit--for the latter type.

Here is an ebay search page of 18 watt units:

http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?_nkw=UV...m270.l1313&_odkw=UV+aquarium+9+watt&_osacat=0

Green water and diatom clouded water fall easily to fix with the UV units. The redox level and ozone they introduce are helpful.

I believe UV is necessary to any healthy aquarium--Mother Nature uses it on all her ponds, lakes, streams, rivers and oceans ... there are no higher recommendations!

Regards,
TA
 
dundadundun said:
hey tech... what you think about making one yourself? if you get yourself one of these you could easily replicate it... http://americanaquariumproducts.com/15WattUVSterilizer.html
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You know me, I am the "Kludge King." Functionality is the main concern, many time attractive looks are not in sight.

So, I built one around PVC ... it worked, but heck, the UV units are so cheap these days, it just doesn't make sense for me. By the time I purchased the parts, I could buy it cheaper ...

The unit you gave the link to interests me! I would like to see one up close, I have extra units around. Will keep an eye open ... thanks! That thing looks like it is highly repairable--I mean, like even if you drop it off your roof!

The only deal-breaker I could think of is if the bulb is easily obtainable locally to me ...

Regards,
TA
 
it's the one i use on my 50 and i can find every part locally except the rubber grommet-washer things (highly technical name). i haven't checked too far though. it uses the coralife bulb. i think i might clean mine soon. if i do i'll be sure to keep that in mind.

one thing i do like is you can basically drop it wherever you want... it should hold up pretty good i think.
 
dundadundun said:
it's the one i use on my 50 and i can find every part locally except the rubber grommet-washer things (highly technical name). i haven't checked too far though. it uses the coralife bulb. i think i might clean mine soon. if i do i'll be sure to keep that in mind.

one thing i do like is you can basically drop it wherever you want... it should hold up pretty good i think.
Click to expand...

This page:

http://www.fws.gov/midwest/ashland/mtan_45.html#Ultraviolet Radiation (germicidal) Energy

Demonstrates why I recommend 1/2 watt or even higher, per gallon (just make sure you don't heat your water too high--if in doubt, at all, begin with 1/2w per/gal until you know.)

They comment on using too low a wattage is why some just are not realizing all the benefits of UV ...

Regards,
TA
 
so i just got home and took a look at my tank. The water is turning green. So its gotta be an algae bloom. Will the UV sterilizer help clear this up, and then continue to protect against disease and keep my tank clear?
 
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