UV's can SANITIZE the water going through it. UV light with the flow rates suggested will not sterilize your water. I have a microbiology background and have done tests with UV "sterilizers" and have found they do kill allot of things when used properly but many bacteria produce endo spores which will not be killed by the UV. And if larger clumps (most cases as they are seldom individual) of bacteria (still microscopic clumps) go through they will not all die as some get blocked by the outer layer. All a UV is going to do is reduce the population of micro organisms (good and bad) in the water column.
I have also done tests to see if there are any negative effects of a UV. The only real negative is that you can breed stronger micro organisms because it is only a sanitizer and since some will make it through alive for one reason or another, these will be the parents of the next generation and there genes (resistant) will be passed on. Then there offspring will go through the same cycle until you have selectively bread a stronger and more immune micro organism. This happens all the time with antibiotics as nature finds a way to adapt.
It will help with some issues but if it is a great benefit in the long term depends on your setup. Some setups can benefit and others may benefit very little if at all.
I think UV's have there place but should not be needed on a healthy balanced system. I think they are best used as supplemental when adding a new fish or if you have a green water problem. If you are the kind of person adding and removing fish all the time than you may see benefits. If you like to get a tank established and thriving without changing stuff all the time than I see no use. I would advise against running one 24/7 on a healthy system or if you want a healthy balanced system.
I have also done tests to see if there are any negative effects of a UV. The only real negative is that you can breed stronger micro organisms because it is only a sanitizer and since some will make it through alive for one reason or another, these will be the parents of the next generation and there genes (resistant) will be passed on. Then there offspring will go through the same cycle until you have selectively bread a stronger and more immune micro organism. This happens all the time with antibiotics as nature finds a way to adapt.
It will help with some issues but if it is a great benefit in the long term depends on your setup. Some setups can benefit and others may benefit very little if at all.
I think UV's have there place but should not be needed on a healthy balanced system. I think they are best used as supplemental when adding a new fish or if you have a green water problem. If you are the kind of person adding and removing fish all the time than you may see benefits. If you like to get a tank established and thriving without changing stuff all the time than I see no use. I would advise against running one 24/7 on a healthy system or if you want a healthy balanced system.
