Is a UV sterilizer worth it?
If set up appropriately, the UV sterilizer will kill the pests you want gone. It will also not kill beneficial bacteria unless they flow through the water. You will not need to worry about your fish either—they may be stressed with the device at first but will grow used to it.
How long should you run a UV sterilizer reef tank?
An aquarium UV steriliser should be switched on and running for 24 hours per day, every day. Exceptions would be setting the tank up before there are any fish in it, adding beneficial bacteria to the water, as UV light kills bacteria, or if you are using a medication that stipulates that UVs should be turned off.
Should a UV sterilizer be on all the time?
they are designed to be run all the time. With a small UV you can’t run it too much. There simply is not enough power to hurt anything.
What size UV sterilizer do I need for my aquarium?
UV Sterilizer Selection Guide
| UV Bulb (Watts) | Maximum Flow Rate for Controlling: | Aquarium Size |
|---|---|---|
| Bacteria and Algae | ||
| 8 | 120 gph | under 75 gallons |
| 15 | 230 gph | 75 gallons |
| 18 | 300 gph | 100 gallons |
Do reefs need UV sterilizer?
A reef tank is the ideal breeding ground for marine plankton and it is impossible to eliminate them with an aquarium UV sterilizer. The relatively small portion of the tank’s water that passes through the UV unit will have the most effect on the dense concentration of rapidly reproducing algae cells.
Will UV sterilizer clear cloudy water?
A UV light sterilizer will get rid of the cloudy water in a matter of days (and sometimes hours), whereas other methods take weeks or even months to start showing results.
Should I run a UV sterilizer in reef tank?
UV units have no effect on algae that is already growing on the glass or live rock. Some aquarists worry that UV will eliminate the natural plankton population in their tanks. Based on the wealth of research it is safe to say that running an aquarium-style UV on a reef tank won’t have much of an effect on plankton.
How long can I leave a UV lamp on?
Typically, an Ultraviolet or UV lamp lasts 12 months or about 9000 hours of use. The light stays lit longer than 12 months but after one year of use it’s ability to kill bacteria will slowly diminish and it will no longer kill bacteria, leaving your family vulnerable.
How long do UV sterilizer bulbs last?
The germicidal UV-C lamps have a useful average life of 5,000 to 9,000 hours. Useful life means that during this time the lamp is operating at an optimal output level for neutralizing mold, fungus, bacteria and viruses. Inherently, fluorescent technologies like UV germicidal lights depreciate in output over time.
How do I choose a UV sterilizer?
Choose a uv sterilizer with a 3 or 5 inch (7.6 or 12.7 cm) diameter body. — The design of the UV sterilizer’s water exposure chamber (body) is the primary design criteria that will determine the unit’s “UV dose rate” at any given water flow rate.
