UV Sterilizer? Who uses them?

[Fat Homer]

I have one on my 200G and couldnt be happier... Not only does it keep the water clear, but rarely have to worry about diseases either


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[pacu mom]

Just started using one myself, It is the 40 watt lifeguard unit really happy with it so far. I had some bright green water going from my planted sump experiment and just my lights being on too much in general. Tank was 99% free of green in under 24 hours

What do you have returning the water from your UV sterilizer? I like my 40W Lifeguard UV too. They are tall units, though, and will not fit vertically in most stands. We have ours sitting on the floor behind our 300 gallon tank. The recommended flowrate for the 40W model matched the flow rate of the FX5, so we just connected the UV sterilizer to the return of our FX5. We were really happy with the immediate results.

Like our Lifeguard unit so much, we are going with two 120W units on our big upgrade. They are even taller than the 40W units.

 

[Red Devil]

i have it on my water system through out the house..so it includes fishtanks... it does not prevent fish from having "all" parasites... since some parasites are in the fish when you bring them home.. these parasites and bacterial issues usually do not amount to much.. as long as the fish is healthy and free of stress.. the stress is the main killer of fish.. what ever the fish is carrying inside.. that is dormant will come out if the fish is in a stress situation.. so yes UV lights are wonderful.. but it is also most important to give the fish the best living arrangements with the tank mates you choose..A perfect example is the Oscar.. he can still get HITH in pristine water conditions.. but of course water is definitly number one concern.. and does eliminate alot of contamination..

 

[pacu mom]

Because one of my fish got sick with a serious internal mystery illness, I have have put a UV sterilizer on my wishlish. I currently have no way to prevent others in the same tank from coming down with the same mystery illness as there is no known cause or diagnoses. Might even pay for itself in gas money because treating sick fish who don't live with you requires a lot of driving.

I wouldn't count on it alone to prevent diseases, just as another tool to help prevent diseases. I've seen that many experienced aquarists use them.
I have gotten the idea that you need to research it first and get the proper size and have enough water flow for it to be effective.
I have been warned that in some cases, they can kill beneficial bacteria, aside from the cost this seems like the only potential drawback.

Keep in mind, last time I asked about using a UV sterilizer here, the response was quite negative. Some people think they will not kill microorganisms, prevent diseases and are ineffective.

I think the best way to prevent illness is not to put anything new into your tank. I am not even willing to do a long quarantine. Since most of the beneficial bacteria reside in the filtration system, a UV sterilizer will not affect the tank cycle.

You are absolutely correct that proper size and effective water flow are needed for a UV sterilizer to be effective. Some people do not need UV sterilizers. There are others with circumstances that make having a UV sterilizer a must. With floor to ceiling picture windows and two large skylights in my living room, our tank is exposed to a lot of light. Our only other option besides running a UV sterilizer would be to keep the tank covered up except at night.

Quickly going from this

to this

made me a believer in UV sterilizers. I used to panic everytime my fish got cut or scraped. They heal so quickly, I don't worry about them getting an infection any more.

 

[fish n chips]

wow thats some improvement,it even tidy up the pipes,i gota get 1

 

[Albertan]

Does a UV sterilizer help cut down the growth of algae on glass as well? I understand this is more of a water change issue. But sometimes real life gets in the way, and if I could prolong my water changes even a few days that would be a big selling feature for me.

 

[johno27]

Mine runs on a 500gph pump after head loss it is probably closer to 350gph. Mine is just looped on the return side of my sump

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[pacu mom]

Does a UV sterilizer help cut down the growth of algae on glass as well? I understand this is more of a water change issue. But sometimes real life gets in the way, and if I could prolong my water changes even a few days that would be a big selling feature for me.

A UV sterilizer does not reduce nitrates, so installing a UV sterilizer will not impact your water change schedule.