advantages and disadvantages of using a UV sterilizer

[Sarahatl]

Subject title pretty much says it all. What are your thougths on the advantages and disadvantages of using a UV sterilzer for freshwater aquaria?

 

[reptileguy2727]

Unless you have a lot of of expensive fish or a really bad algae problem that nothing else is fixing I don't think they are worth it.

 

[jpappy789]

I agree. Never seen the need for them myself unless you are dealing with a specific situation as mentioned.

 

[dbosman]

The small ones typically sold for aquarium use, can basically only kill algae. Dwell time or Killing dose time is usually not addressed in ads for small UV units and it is the most important figure. For a 50g tank, with a pump running 200 gph you need 35 to 64 watts of UV in a three inch UV system to kill bacteria. The difference? Species of bacteria.

 

[garyfla]

Hi
I would agree with the others .I've never found them worth the expense on marine or ponds for that matter.
Simple water changes will addess all the problems that a UV does anyway. A more effective use of the money would be a veggie filter.
gary