uv sterilizer

[stumpy]

I'm looking to buy a uv sterilizer for my 30 gal folr. What are your suggestions?

 

[fishfreek]

Not to waste the money.

Honestly I dont feel UV units are worth the money they cost. Some folks will swear by them but I dont see them as being an essental element in a successful tank.

 

[energyguy]

Are uv sterilizers suppose to kill bacteria so they do not reproduce? :|

 

[captivereefs]

Coralife makes a nice UV unit for smaller tanks. Really though your money can be spent betterr elsewhere. While they do keep the water a little clearer they do not kill bacteria that well. most bacteria reproduce so quickly that by the time the water comes out of the UV and back into the tank it is infected again within minutes!

 

[fishfreek]

We have a great article on UV units here.

<< UV Sterilizers and Their Use in Aquaria - written by Timbo2 >>

Basicly the UV light from the bulb will kill bactera, parasites and any other form of life that has a long enough exposure to the light. Often times UV units are undersized or have to much flow thru them to be 100% effective. A UV unit is most effective when the flow thru them is very slow.

 

[michealprater]

Just to play devil's advocate here, I run a UV on my 150 24/7 and have never seen anything but positive effects.

 

[energyguy]

Captivereefs

If the UV does not kill bacteria that well, what would you recommend.