UV Sterilizer...help needed

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
First of all, sorry about the typos in my previous post. I was typing it on the fly.

All I am saying is that aqua uv rates a 40 or more watt UV sterilizer for much much much larger tanks. They also put a ton of science behind it. There is a myriad of great information on their website.

In all honesty, aqua UV is the only sterilizer I have used. With that said, I can say that in the past decade or more of using them, I have never had any type of bacterial or viral outbreak in any of my tanks. I currently have a 57 W aqua UV on my 400 gallon tank.

Flow rate is just as important as tank size when dealing with UV sterilizers. In my opinion, a 25 W aqua UV sterilizer plumbed in line after your filter is more than adequate for a tank of your size given the flow of your filter.

I don't have a dog in this fight, and I certainly have nothing to gain by endorsing one brand over another. All I can do is give you my honest opinion of what's worked for me for a long time.

FYI, the downside to aqua UV is that there sterilizers are huge. You may have to be creative when plumbing them. I also always get one of the models with a wiper. I have no idea if it's needed but it gives me peace of mind to wipe the sterilizer every couple of days.

I hope this helps you.
 
To be honest, not only do I not have any experience with the vetcon, I had not heard of it. I do however own some other TMC products and am very satisfied with them.

As far as the size they both seem very similar. What I mean by huge, is that you basically have a 2 foot long by 6 inch wide Nonflexible item. In other words it will take up a lot of room underneath your tank.

All things considered, more watts are better. With that in mind I would give the nod to the 25 W Aqua.

Keep in mind if you get an aqua model that has a wiper, you will need to have an additional 18 inches of clearance past the sterilizer in order to actuate the wiper rod back and forth.

Any of these will be adequate for your aquarium. Although everyone has an opinion I would personally not have an aquarium without a sterilizer. I've just been too happy with mine. Kind of one of those things that after you get it you wonder how you lived without it. You will see a noticeable difference in the quality of your tank. At least I did.
 
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