UV Sterilizers

**KevinVA** · 01-23-2013, 02:35 PM

Hey guys,

I'm looking into purchasing a UV sterilizer for my 75gal tank, hoping that it might cut down on algae growth and might contribute to a cleaner/healthier tank for my fish.

Has anyone had any experience with said technology in their tanks? If so, does anyone have any recommendations for or warnings to go along with any particular brands?

**Taurus** · 01-23-2013, 02:47 PM

I don't use them on my tank, so I have no practical experience.

Maybe this is a good place to start.

http://www.americanaquariumproducts....ilization.html

It gives you some pretty good basic information. I'm not promoting the site, just the information.

**KevinVA** · 01-23-2013, 03:01 PM

That's a helpful link. Thanks Taurus.

**Cermet** · 01-23-2013, 08:15 PM

Mine is in my canister so the canister's flow handles/provides for that issue; they help with algae but will not pervent its growth if you do not maintain low nitrates; good water quality is the key reguardless of the UV. That said, can't hurt but don't get too high of a wattage - it just waste electricity and has more expensive bulbs; speaking of which, I keep one spare UV bulb (and, of course, and far more critically - a heater) on hand since ordering will take one week to ten days.

**dbosman** · 01-23-2013, 08:44 PM

I'm sorry, but the site listed has almost nothing accurate in the area discussing dwell time. A 9 watt UV unit at any water flow is good for green water up to about 30 gallons. It won't kill bacteria or viri on that tank, only green water. Will it kill enough of the algae in the water to eventually clear a 75g tank? Not if the algae is actively reproducing. A diatomaceous earth filter would probably work better and cost less. Dealing with the imbalance in nutrients would cost far less.

On a 75g tank you should be looking for a 35 watt UV unit.

My source? Aquatic System Engineering by P.R. Escobal ISBN 1888381051

**KevinVA** · 01-24-2013, 01:09 AM

dbosman, I'm trying to deal with a fert/light imbalance at the moment. Right now, I'm in the process of cutting back dosing of liquid ferts, which I think is the biggest problem. I was dosing about 3x per week. I've now cut that down to once per week and also started dosing co2 within the last two weeks. I'm hoping that cuts down on algae growth.

I think the inherent problem is that I allowed algae to grow in the first place. Now it has a stranglehold on my tank and won't let go. I had an imbalance for several months which lead to algae growth... so I think balancing things out might take about a month to see some visual effects.

Since posting this and reading up on UV sterilizers, the only reason I'd actually buy one is to rid the tank of a percentage of disease causing bacteria/viruses, as I don't have any standing algae, which leads to green water.

That being said, other than some sicknesses here and there, I really don't have any water quality problems. On an average week, I have 0 amm, 0 trites, 0-.25 trates, 0 phos & 7ph (now 7.6ph). That's with a weekly 50% w/c.

I'm attributing my disease problem to bad stock and possible stress from a change in pH. I added rocks (the same rocks I started with) to the tank, which I believe raised the pH from 7.0 to 7.6. That may have caused stress and possible osmotic shock. Now that I'm aware of what occurs with these rocks, I'm going to be leaving them in the tank, so that I no longer have fluctuations.

I don't think a UVS will be necessary, but the previous comments were helpful, nonetheless. I've learned quite a bit today.

Thanks!