Do I Need an Ultra violet Steralizer?

[mound]

I see these things around, people listing them in use on their tanks - I've never had one myself, never particularilly thought I had a need for one - why do people choose to get them and are they generally considered a wise and necessary investment?

 

[reefrunner69]

My stock answer to this question is no. I usually answer it in the SW forum, but I think it is the same for FW. They can be useful, but they are far from a necessity. I have a couple (sitting in a closet left over from my years of needing every gadget on the market) and have not had to use one for the last several years. The last time I did use one was to clear up a particularly nasty bacterial bloom that I didn't want to wait for it to end on it's own.

 

[ConanTheLibraia]

You certianly don't need a UV sterilizer to be succesful, although it does help keep your fish from getting diesease.

 

[zephyr]

IMO, for there cost they aren't nessicary. They protect your fish from getting disease, but don't cure.
Maybe for a saltwater tank, but not a freshie!
Justin

 

[Araldq]

and if you will use it too much, then your fishes may become sterile

 

[reefrunner69]

and if you will use it too much, then your fishes may become sterile

Curious as to how this could happen, unless the fish swam through the UV sterilizer.