UV STERILIZER? Good or Bad? which one?

[rockhoundmaiden]

Hi Everyone. I know there are good and bad things that have been discussed regarding the use of a UV sterilizers.

I feel that I really need one though because I have a lot of windows in the room with the tank and the water never seems to be clear. Always have tons of algae and green water.

It this a good solution?

Which brand would you recommend or are you using?

Each manufacturer says a different thing for wattage?

Any advice for a 180 gallon in a room with 27 windows?

Thanks so much

[rockhoundmaiden]

^bump

[scooter86]

I can only give you my experience with my 155 African tank. Before using a UV sterilizer, I had to clean the tank on a weekly basis. After putting an Aquanetics 15 watt sterilizer on it with a 150 gal/hr circulation pump, I need to clean the tank MUCH less frequently. You need to match the pump closely to the wattage of your sterilizer, in accordance with the particular particles that you want to kill. Some organisms will require higher UV exposure than others to kill,ie bacteria vs algae vs fungal elements vs parasites.
Also ,make sure your water is as phosphate-free as possible to inhibit algae growth. Most manufacturers will give you a chart for the suggested flow rates for a particular wattage. The suggested flow rates will vary for any particular wattage,again, depending on the organisms that you want to kill. I like my Aquanetics, but they have gone out of business. I just bought a 57W Aqua UV sterilizer for my 180 Fowlr, but have not installed it yet

[rockhoundmaiden]

Thanks Scooter!

Do I have to buy another pump?

[scooter86]

I am going to be putting my sterilizer on my return line to the tank from the skimmer. If your return pump specs match up (gallons/hr), for the wattage of your sterilizer,and for what you want to kill, then there is no reason why you can't do the same.