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Free Shipping on all orders over $49 • $5.99 Flat Rate Shipping on orders under $49.
Free Shipping on all orders over $49 • $5.99 Flat Rate Shipping on orders under $49.
Aquarium & Pond UV Sterilizers
UV sterilization is a very simple process using ultraviolet (UV) light for rendering sterile unwanted free-floating bacteria, algae, and parasitic organisms, like ich. The UV sterilizer light affects 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 and 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. All of our UV sterilizers are also UV clarifiers. A UV clarifier works the same way, but at a faster flow rate. It's the go-to choice for clearing green water caused by free-floating algae in ponds and aquariums, while a UV sterilizer runs at a slower flow to also control bacteria and parasites. Useful Links:UV Sterilizer Overview | UV Sterilizer Troubleshooting Guide |
Shop UV sterilizers by brand: Lifegard Aquatics, Aqua Ultraviolet, IceCap, OASE and Fluval.
There are THREE types of UV sterilizer set-ups, the in-line , the in-tank (or in-pond) and the hang-on types (some sterilizers can be hooked up as a hang-on or an in-tank sterilizer). For most ponds and tanks above 100 gallons you will need to get an in-line UV sterilizer.
Assuming full-time use, UV sterilizer lamps should be replaced once a year. Please keep in mind that you need to use a lamp made by the same company that made your UV sterilizer. Lamps are usually not cross-compatible as UV lamps are modified T5 bulbs and every manufacturer does it a little differently.
The most commonly needed UV sterilizer replacement parts (other than lamps, which are in their own section) are the delicate quartz sleeves and ballasts (power supply). We also have o-rings and various fittings for most of the UVs we carry. As with the bulbs, UV sterilizer parts are not cross-compatible. An Aqua Ultraviolet will not work in a Lifegard Sterilizer and vice-versa.
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Note: we do not have daylight savings time in Arizona
