Good brands of uv sterilizer??

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Chaval

Gambusia
MFK Member
Dec 14, 2018
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Hey guys have been contemplating getting a UV sterilizer for my tank. Been looking around but they look overpriced and cheaply made. I
Keep reading reviews about a lot of different UV sterilizers and they all have me nervous with people saying their waste of money. I'm hoping somebody can give me a good brand that's not overly expensive that's not cheeks.
 
First you have to decide what you want the UV sterilizer to do. How big is your tank? What to you want to achieve? ... Level One Sterilization?

Here is a definitive article on UV Sterilization. http://www.americanaquariumproducts.com/AquariumUVSterilization.html


After reading online, I went with a Lifegard QL-40 UV Sterilizer for our 300 gallon tank. It has quartz bulbs which are supposedly better. Is it cheap? NO. From what I've read, the bulbs should be changed every 6 months. It is recommended that the quartz sleeve is changed also. From Marine Depot: new UV sterilizer $273. Bulb, ballast and quartz sleeve replacement: $78.60 + 69.99 + 75.99 = $224.58. For $50 more, I could just buy a whole new unit. I can get the replacement parts cheaper from Amazon, but these delicate parts have been thrown in a box to rattle around. I had a broken bulb and just finished dealing with them on that. Replacement parts will really add up on our big system when it is set up.....two 120W UV sterilizers. I've already scavenged replacement parts (bulbs, ballasts and caps) from these two systems.

That said, UV sterilization is piece of mind for me. When we first set up the tank in the living room with floor to ceiling picture windows and two skylights, we quickly developed a green water problem.
1582766435976.png

Once we installed the UV sterilizer, the green water quickly cleared up.
1582766507955.png


Over the years, our fish have sustained terrible, gruesome injuries .. fins, tails, lips ripped off
1582766640875.png


...lips and tails have regenerated. I think by keeping pathogens down, the UV sterilizer promotes healing. I wouldn't run a tank without UV sterilization.
1582766774169.png


Would they have healed as quickly without UV sterilization? I don't intend to chance it.
 
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Chaval said:
Hey guys have been contemplating getting a UV sterilizer for my tank. Been looking around but they look overpriced and cheaply made. I
Keep reading reviews about a lot of different UV sterilizers and they all have me nervous with people saying their waste of money. I'm hoping somebody can give me a good brand that's not overly expensive that's not cheeks.
Click to expand...

Aqua Ultraviolet but they're expensive. TMC Vecton might be a good compromise as they're cheaper but seem to be decent quality but I have no personal experience with them.

A lot of hobbyists say they're a waste of money but they're just repeating what others say until it becomes regarded as fact. Lots of that in this hobby.

Nobody does any actual research or critical thinking.

The two most important things are having enough power for the volume of the tank and a sufficiently high flow rate. Even though everyone recommends low flow rates they are incorrect when it comes to recirculating systems.
 
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Thanks for the help. I was hoping to find a cheap one that's a good brand. I'm not trying to spend a lot on this. This isnt something I'll use often.
 
I'm afraid cheap good UV sterilizer is an oxymoron. And if you had one, why wouldn't you use it all the time? To use one only if you have a problem seems counter productive....kind of like closing the barn doors after all the animals accidentally got out.
 
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When I say not use all the time. I'm mean I'll Only run it 2 weeks out of the month plus the more I dig into this the more I'm realizing I probably shouldn't buy a UV sterilizer. I've been good without one. I just wanted the extra piece of mine but I'll probably pass because of the $$$$$$.
 
The bulbs don't like being power cycled and at some point they'll last longer if they're left on constantly.
 
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Thanks guys! I appreciate all your comments. It made me realize that UV sterilizers just not for me.
 
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