| A UV aquarium sterilizer makes use of an | | | | about. Slower flow rates are more effective to kill |
| ultraviolet bulb to kill algae, parasites, viruses and | | | | algae, in addition to parasites and bacteria. You |
| bacteria. This sterilizer does a great job at cleaning | | | | would measure the flow rate in either gallons per |
| the aquarium water to pristine conditions. So | | | | hour or liters per hour. As an example, a sterilizer |
| effective is an ultraviolet sterilizer that many | | | | with a 15-watt bulb has no problem to kill algae |
| companies use this method to purify drinking | | | | and bacteria at a 120 gph flow, but it won't kill |
| water on a commercial scale and even to kill algae | | | | parasites unless you reduce the flow rate to 75 |
| growth in outdoor ponds. | | | | gph. |
| If you have a fish tank at home, you would most | | | | |
| likely use several fish tank filters cleaning the | | | | Clean the Quartz |
| water. A UV aquarium sterilizer can be a great | | | | You can find the quartz sleeve where the UV bulb |
| addition to any aquarium, but the point to | | | | fits into the device. Many people forget about this |
| remember is that you should be using a UV | | | | part of the UV aquarium sterilizer and do not |
| aquarium sterilizer as an add on with your normal | | | | clean it enough. {By cleaning it, you will |
| fish tank filters and needs to be the last stage of | | | | remove|Cleaning the sleeve removes] build up and |
| the filtration process. It's important that fish tank | | | | ensures that the UV aquarium sterilizer works at |
| water passes through the normal fish tank filter | | | | optimum levels. You can buy more expensive |
| before moving through the UV aquarium sterilizer | | | | sterilizers which have a wiper handle positioned |
| unit. In this way, your normal aquarium filter will | | | | outside of the device for fast and easy cleaning |
| remove solids so that when the water passes | | | | of the sleeve, without having to dismantle |
| through the UV aquarium sterilizer unit later, it is | | | | everything. |
| purified to the best results. | | | | These days it is easy to purchase a UV aquarium |
| A UV aquarium sterilizer will continue to function | | | | sterilizer, whether in local fish stores or online. |
| well as long as the bulb wattage is sufficient and | | | | These devices make a great addition to any fish |
| the bulb isn't too old. Then, you will have to | | | | tank, but they can be expensive, especially if you |
| maintain the flow rate of the water and clean the | | | | consider the cost to replace the bulbs. |
| quartz sleeve to ensure that it remains efficient. | | | | People who own salt water aquariums are more |
| The Bulb | | | | likely to purchase a UV aquarium sterilizer because |
| With time, the UV bulb will start to lose its | | | | it will improve the water quality and provides |
| effectiveness, which is why it should be replaced | | | | extra protection for expensive salt water fish. |
| twice a year. You will be able to buy bulbs | | | | Even though a UV aquarium sterilizer is not really |
| between 8 watts and 130 watts - the higher the | | | | that necessary, many aquarium hobbyists do find |
| wattage, the better it does at cleaning the water. | | | | that this device is great at maintaining clean water |
| Devices with a lower wattage bulb need to have | | | | while keeping fish and other aquatic life healthy |
| a lower flow rate in order to work well. | | | | and happy. At the end of the day, it all comes |
| | | | down to personal choice and what you want to |
| Flow Rate | | | | work well for your aquarium. |
| The flow rate is also an important factor to think | | | | |