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UV Sterilizers
 AQUARIUM UV STERILIZER GENERAL INFO
What is UV Sterilization?
It's a very simple process using ultra violet (UV)
light for rendering sterile unwanted free floating bacteria, algae and
parasitic organisms, like ich. The UV sterilizer light affects the living cells
by altering the structure of the cell's nuclear material. The end result
is the organisms fail to reproduce, eradicating your aquarium or pond water of
these unwanted nuisances.
Functionally, UV sterilization is done by running water in an out of a chamber
that contains a UV sterilizer light bulb. The UV sterilizer bulb is usually
contained in a glass (quartz) sleeve that is in the shape of a test tube.
How are they set up?
There are two types of UV sterilizer set-ups, the in-line and the hang-on types
(some sterilizers can be hooked up both ways). The in-line set-up usually has the sterilizer under the tank (or
beside a pond) in line with a pump and filter (if a mechanical filter is used).
Hang-on uv sterilizers have a mechanism for hanging the uv off the back of an
aquarium. This is often easier to set-up, but hobbyists often prefer the
in-line set-up because it removes the somewhat unsightly piece of equipment
from view. You could also hang a hang-on uv from a sump.
UV sterilizers require a pump with a certain flow rate to run water through
them. It is critical that the pump put out a flow rate within the acceptable
range of the uv sterilizer. These acceptable flow rates are listed next to all
the uvs we sell in terms of gph (gallons of flow per hour). The flow rate
depends on whether you are using the uv in a pond or aquarium and if you are
using the UV to sterilize bacteria or clarify the water (sterilize the algae).
In the case of hang-on uv sterilizers we've also recommended pumps to use with
the UV.
The Pondmaster UV Sterilizer is made for ponds and is made to be submersed in
the pond.
How about UV sterilizer safety?
UV sterilizer light can be damaging to the human eye so DO NOT look into the
bulb. Always unplug your unit when working on it to prevent possible
shock if it breaks and gets wet.
Who needs a UV sterilizer?
UV Sterilizers are recommended for all saltwater and freshwater aquariums and
for ponds.
What can be eliminated with a UV sterilizer?
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UV sterilizers will eliminate protozoan parasites such as ich during the new
born, free swimming life cycle stage of the parasites. NOTE: They do not
eliminate the ich parasites once attached to the fish. UV sterilizers can be
used with other methods to treat ich.
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UV sterilizers will sterilize free floating algae. It will not sterilize algae
that is stuck to your glass or embedded in your live rock. The algae needs to go
through the UV sterilizer to be sterilized.
Can UV Sterilizers have negative effects?
Yes. UV can alter the structure of some dissolved chemical compounds. When
using any drug or chemical medication check the directions for the drug or
chemical to see if you should turn off your UV when using the drug or
medication.
Many aquarists only use the UV at night. There are many free floating
beneficial planktonic animals in the water that come out at night that can be
killed by a UV sterilizer. Because of this many aquarists only run their UV
during the day. You can put it on the same timer as your lighting system.
UV Sterilizer Maintenance
UV sterilizer bulbs with four pins at one end should be replaced once a year.
Lamps with two pins at each end should be replaced every six months. They will
lose intensity over time and after these respective periods of time the loss in intensity is likely to
be critical.
Depending on how clean the water is going into the UV sterilizer, you may need
to clean your UV sterilizer quartz sleeve. If the UV light from the bulb can't
penetrate the sleeve, then it won't reach the water that flows around the
quartz sleeve. The quartz sleeve can be cleaned with white vinegar.
Flow Rates
The recommended flow rates and required wattage for tanks may not seem
consistent between manufacturers. The Emperor 25 Watt UV Sterilizer is rated
for 125 gallons. The Aqua Ultraviolet 25 Watt UV Sterilizer is rated for tanks
up to 100 gallons. The Pentair Aquatics 25 Watt UV Sterilizer is rated for 200
gallons. The Coralife 18 Watt is rated for 250 gallons. Some of this may be
because the manufacturers are measuring things differently. For Example: Emperor
Aquatics' recommended flow rates are based upon when UV sterilizer lamps are
operating at their 60% end of life efficiency. Additionally, flow rates may be
comparing apples and oranges because they may be referring to the effective
kill rates of different organisms.
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