Originally Posted by beblondie
What problem are you hoping to fix? or prevent? personaly growing up in a fishkeeping (frshwater) household we never used them and i personaly think they are more problems then they are worth from my research. They cost money to buy and run, They add heat to the
water and need to be taken apart monthly to be cleaned and the bulbs replaced yearly at the least. You'll usually need a seperate pump to run one.
And what do they do? well depending on the flow rate(lower the better) and exposure time
(the longer the better) well it will eliminate floating green algae,it
will destroy bacteria and with the correct flow rate it will destroy floating parasites.
Its the ultimate aquarium toy. You can accomplish the same thing with proper tank maintenence and quarantine procedures-Anne
the above applies to freshwater tanks only
　
Yes they cost money to buy and to keep bulbs replaced, that point has been continually acknowledged throughout this thread…
They also cost something to run but calculate the monthly cost of a 9W item in constant use then let me know if it's worth worrying about... Chances are you've used more electricity browsing this forum today than a 9W UV light uses in a day...
　
They do not need to be taken apart monthly and cleaned, I have no clue where this misconception came from… I open mine once a year when I replace the bulb and do not clean them, as there is nothing to clean...
　
You do need a power source, canister filters are the best and most common power source and are commonly in use anyway…
　
It is misleading to simply suggest “tank maintenance and quarantine” will provide all of the benefits that a UV will provide. Ick outbreaks can and do happen with no “explainable” source of introduction of the parasite… yet a UV light will eradicate Ick… typical tank maintenance and quarantining won’t…
　
　
That's right. UV sterilizers only treat symptoms, not causes. UVs are end-of-the-pipe thinking. Proper tank maintenance is the only way to go. If you still have problems, then you need to upgrade tank and/or filtration.
HarleyK
　
Again, not every parasite rides into your tank off of another fish or any other preventable source. So while you could consider a UV light “end of the pipe thinking”… it is a lot more practical than putting your aquarium in a bubble…
　
And just to point out… in aquariums… we treat symptoms… not causes...
　
The “cause” of pollution in your tank is your fish. To treat the cause, get rid of the fish, problem solved. If that’s not an option then you treat the symptom, it’s waste.
　
If your tank is getting natural sunlight, you have to make a choice: A) live with the results (commonly algae and/or green water), B) move the tank or C) use UV light (there may be other products/additives you could consider but they have other side effects you must consider). While using a UV light may not “treat the cause” it may give you the best solution to your problem.
　
Also the benefit of water clarity was not mentioned by either quote. I understand you think you have “crystal clear” water. I used to think mine was crystal clear to until I started using UV lights and micron rated media. Now that I know what “crystal clear” can really look like, I use the term more carefully.
　
I have no issue with you, them or anyone else choosing not to use UV lights… but I do disagree with eagerly trying to press the idea that they are a waste. I also am not accusing the two people you quoted of pressing anything… I’m accusing you of pressing your inexperienced speculative opinions BigSpizz…
　
Any more?
Thanks for letting me know there is information here. Not using U.V. Is free. 
Proper tank maintenance is the only way to go. If you still have problems, then you need to upgrade tank and/or filtration.
