What would a UV Sterilizer do for me?

[leesst200]

As the title says, what benefit would it be for me to have a uv sterilizer?

 

[Sploke]

A UV sterilizer kills waterborne pathogens and microorganisms such as bacteria, plankton, and suspended algae. Whether you need to accomplish this in your tank is another matter. I use one on my pond because it's in full sun so the water turns green otherwise. They are unnecessary on a properly maintained inside tank, IMO.

 

[Catpicklesdog]

like sploke, I use one on my pond for greenwater but I don't use one on my tank.

here's a thread I started asking for opinions
http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=158372

 

[Amphiprion]

The main benefits is provides is the radical decomposition of various organic molecules in the water, resulting in much clearer water. Secondarily, it does a reasonably good job at reducing bacteria and small algae concentrations. It is not very effective at controlling larger organisms, like ich and the like.

 

[leesst200]

I keep getting small air bubbles on the rocks which form a red algae which covers the rocks and chokes my corels.
Would one of these help with this type of algae?

 

[Amphiprion]

It's doubtful that it will be of much help. It would be different if it were a planktonic algae problem (akin to "green water"), but it is not. You need to look into nitrate and phosphate levels to solve your particular problem. Adding some extra water flow can also help in many situations.