best SMALL CHEAP UV sterilizer for 10-20gallon

[mellowvision]

I want to get a UV sterilizer to use occasionally, such as right now to clear my green water issue. a 3 day black out has not cured it. I just saw a rather massive unit at petland, for 30 bucks.... it was a TetraTec model for up to 100 gallon tanks.

any suggestions or preferences?

 

[Buckdog]

10-20 isnt much and the UV is rated for up to 100 gal? Thats a lot. I have a 120gal fresh and I "burn" (uv) my water for about 1 1/2 hours on a timer four times a week. It's more for convienence because my work schedule is so bad. It has helped tremendously.

On the sister site to AC is Monsterfishkeepers.com. There are several threads going right now on UV. Also look in the archives for both sites.

Koivet.com and **************** both have UV articles that have a lot of info.
The koivet article by Ron James Phd. makes plenty of sense.

 

[legendaryfrog]

you can get that larger unit, but just run it once a week for an hour or something.

 

[J double R]

not meaning to hijack or anything, but are there downsides to higher wattage units than recommended for tanks?

i just ordered a 25watt for my 75g.

 

[mellowvision]

I'd rather a small compact unit, and it would be SPECTACULAR if it had a built in pump... but i realize that might be pushing my luck. the tetratec unit at petland was just the only one I saw at any of the 4 stores I went to today... ordering it online just prolongs the greeeeen

 

[mellowvision]

oh, this is perfect, but a little pricey. cheaper than other options though...

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=16748&N=2004+113778

 

[msjinkzd]

http://www.petsmart.com/global/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441812972&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302030142&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=2534374302023693&bmUID=1185716168906&itemNo=11&Ntt=uv&In=All&previousText=uv&N=2

this is what i used for my 16g. cheap and easy

 

[legendaryfrog]

not meaning to hijack or anything, but are there downsides to higher wattage units than recommended for tanks?

nah......its the same as bigger an XL filter.

 

[mellowvision]

that sterilizer/pump combo from petsmart looks great. too bad they don't have them in store... I'd really like to go pick something up today. seems like no one has jack.

 

[wackydan]

http://www.petsmart.com/global/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441812972&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302030142&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=2534374302023693&bmUID=1185716168906&itemNo=11&Ntt=uv&In=All&previousText=uv&N=2

this is what i used for my 16g. cheap and easy

I can vouch for this one... I run it on my 16 gallon.

IF you buy a UV... run it 24/7 until the water is clear, then maybe run a couple times a week for a few hours.... I don't even have mine in my tank anymore... the BG hasn't come back.