I am trying to upgrade to 240 and I am trying to decide wether or not I need to get a UV sterilizer to reduce the algae growth and other parasites
Do you really need a UV sterilizer on Large tank?
- Thread starter X3R0X
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I would say it is. I recently got one from a stand up member of this site, and my water is crystal clear. In this country the water is very bad quality, and coupled with some direct sunlight my tank was always cloudy and green, so much so that I could not see the other end of the tank lengthways.
I got this UV sterilizer and after a few days my tank is completely crystal clear.
Apart from destroying single algae cells it also destroys pathogens etc in the water, so IMO it's an all round good thing, and generally necessary for a crystal clear tank with less risk of disease spreading and no green cloudy water ever.
I got this UV sterilizer and after a few days my tank is completely crystal clear.
Apart from destroying single algae cells it also destroys pathogens etc in the water, so IMO it's an all round good thing, and generally necessary for a crystal clear tank with less risk of disease spreading and no green cloudy water ever.
I wouldn't say it was necessary at all. Just make sure you have a good filter and the correct media and your water conditions should be fine and your water crystal clear. I don't have one and my water is crystal clear. The filter i have cleared my tank over night pay the extra money for good filtration and you won't have to worrie about it letting you down and having to go out and replacing it because its crap and you won't have to buy sterilizers.
UV streilizers IMO are fish keepers choice it's not essential yes it does destroy single algae cells it also destroys pathogens etc in the water. But it's not essential a good filter can clear up your water and prevent infection and disease.
UV streilizers IMO are fish keepers choice it's not essential yes it does destroy single algae cells it also destroys pathogens etc in the water. But it's not essential a good filter can clear up your water and prevent infection and disease.
this is issue has plenty of opinions on it... i have asked some fish stores and online stores... it has been said by some that it is beneficial and some say it kills beneficial bacteria. i'm also in dilema... i'll stick to no UV first but will never know if i would get one after a few months.... 
main concern... as long as it doesn't hurt the beneficial bacteria i'm on for it... couldn't really tell until you put it in a well established aquarium and measure the nitirate levels to see if it does kill the good ones.... better kill the bad ones only. 
main concern... as long as it doesn't hurt the beneficial bacteria i'm on for it... couldn't really tell until you put it in a well established aquarium and measure the nitirate levels to see if it does kill the good ones.... better kill the bad ones only. it doesn't kill beneficial bacteria. Since getting a UV a couple of weeks ago my nitrates have actually decreased, and I've done only 1 water change since then. Don't know if it is coincidence or not, but either way I don't think it harms beneficial bacteria.
To be honest I don't even see how it's possible, the bacteria is not free flowing in the water, it's in the filter media, and the UV light is not exposed to the media, only the water.
rumblesushi said:
I agree i don't think it kills benificial bacteria.
But it's your choice weather or not you think you'd like one i'm not saying they don't work all i'm saying is i don't think it's an essential peice of equipment.
rumblesushi said:
Always have them on my tanks 
also on my pond. A UV Sterilizer uses ultraviolet light to kill algae and fish pathogens that are free-floating in the water. Koi enthusiasts, who always want clear water, routinely combine a UV sterilizer with biological filtration.
Its not necessary,its the ultimate ''toy'' for freshwater.A few things you need to remember
it goes inline after the filter
you'll need either a canister or sump or seperate pump with prefilter
install shutoff valves as UV filters need monthly cleaning
to kill parasites it needs the correct flow and exposure
the bulb need replacing yearly if not more often(buy a cpl of extra bulbs)
UVs only take care of floating green algae(greenwater) not the algae that forms on glass or decoration.
UV light can effect some medications
turn off unit before doing maintenence UV sterilizers use a very narow band
of UV lightwaves but that band can be bad for your eyes-Anne
It can kill beneficial bacteria but you need to expose the bacterial colonies to
it.Since it is shielded from your filters and tanks it would be rare not to mention hard to destroy your biofilter
it goes inline after the filter
you'll need either a canister or sump or seperate pump with prefilter
install shutoff valves as UV filters need monthly cleaning
to kill parasites it needs the correct flow and exposure
the bulb need replacing yearly if not more often(buy a cpl of extra bulbs)
UVs only take care of floating green algae(greenwater) not the algae that forms on glass or decoration.
UV light can effect some medications
turn off unit before doing maintenence UV sterilizers use a very narow band
of UV lightwaves but that band can be bad for your eyes-Anne
It can kill beneficial bacteria but you need to expose the bacterial colonies to
it.Since it is shielded from your filters and tanks it would be rare not to mention hard to destroy your biofilter