UV sterilizers

scuba415 · 04-23-2003, 01:31 AM

hi all!

first time posting here (or anywhere for that matter) so, does the water go in the big glass box? ok, im not that new to this. trying to decide if a UV sterilizer is useful in a planted tank. i was thinking it might help control algae spores and pathogens. but ive heard that they oxidize vital plant nutrients. any opinions out there?

**GulfCoastAquarian** · 04-23-2003, 12:50 PM

I'm using one right now to cure a green algae outbreak and I can say that it is a lot less detrimental to plant health than a 3 day black out to knock out Green Water. As a matter of fact, I can't notice any detrimenal effects towards the plants at all.

chode · 04-23-2003, 01:06 PM

what is the benefit of a UV Sterlizer over a Diatom filter?

digger · 04-23-2003, 02:37 PM

I'm sure it's quieter for one.

**GulfCoastAquarian** · 04-23-2003, 03:31 PM

Less maintenence as well. While you still need to change the bulb once or twice a year on the UV Sterilizer (depending on how often you use it), the Diatom filter needs to have the Diatomaceous Earth changed every use. You can find relatively cheap DE at Home Depot, but it's still a bit more messy. Nothing matches the clarity of a Diatom-filtered tank, though!

04-23-2003, 12:50 PM	#2
GulfCoastAquarian Planted Tank VIP (View User Tanks) PTrader: (6/100%) Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Winston-Salem, NC Posts: 3,577	I'm using one right now to cure a green algae outbreak and I can say that it is a lot less detrimental to plant health than a 3 day black out to knock out Green Water. As a matter of fact, I can't notice any detrimenal effects towards the plants at all. __________________ - Sam P - plantedtanker in limbo - all tanks currently in storage

04-23-2003, 03:31 PM	#5
GulfCoastAquarian Planted Tank VIP (View User Tanks) PTrader: (6/100%) Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Winston-Salem, NC Posts: 3,577	Less maintenence as well. While you still need to change the bulb once or twice a year on the UV Sterilizer (depending on how often you use it), the Diatom filter needs to have the Diatomaceous Earth changed every use. You can find relatively cheap DE at Home Depot, but it's still a bit more messy. Nothing matches the clarity of a Diatom-filtered tank, though! __________________ - Sam P - plantedtanker in limbo - all tanks currently in storage

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04-23-2003, 01:31 AM	#1
scuba415 Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: san francisco ca Posts: 27	hi all! first time posting here (or anywhere for that matter) so, does the water go in the big glass box? ok, im not that new to this. trying to decide if a UV sterilizer is useful in a planted tank. i was thinking it might help control algae spores and pathogens. but ive heard that they oxidize vital plant nutrients. any opinions out there?

04-23-2003, 01:06 PM	#3
chode Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: McKinney, Texas Posts: 45	what is the benefit of a UV Sterlizer over a Diatom filter?

04-23-2003, 02:37 PM	#4
digger Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 519	I'm sure it's quieter for one.