UV Sterilizer

[amdninjaboy]

Just wondering how many use a UV sterilizer? Im considering one after a case of velvet wiped out my tank.. My tank has been empty for 8 weeks now.. All fish will be quarantined for minimum 4 weeks before being added to the DT.. Just wondering if adding a UV sterilizer as a last defense if a little critter makes it through the quarantine somehow it would get rid of it before any problems arise.. Thinking of it more as just overcautious addition.. Those who do use them, how big of one do I need? I see them rated from 5 watts up to like 50 or 60 watts? Does higher watts kill anything more?? Or is it just more efficient??

I have a 90Gal FOWLR DT with a 20 Gal sump.. Tank will be a predator tank with a dwarf lionfish, harlequin tusk, flame angel and a porc puffer..



Thanks

Shane.

 

[snorvich]

UV will not help with parasites since not all water will go through the UV.

 

[wlyon]

I use a UV sterilizer on my return pump, and another UV sterilizer/pond filter connected to my sump. It's not a cure all device in any means but it does help a whole lot in my opinion. If anything when I hooked both of them up my water turned crystal clear over night.

 

[Puffer29]

I have three uv sterlizers, one on my 100 gallon and two on my 300 gallon. I agree that the uv steralizers do not wipe out diseases..they may help. They do however reduce the algae build up and clarify the water. I would get the biggest one you can afford. Just be careful about your water tempature increasing. Mine shot up 3 degrees when I added the steralizers.