As a rule of thumb, use 10W of UV light per 1000 gallons for 'clarification', and 30 watts of UV light per 1000 gallons for 'sterilization'. As a sterilizer, the unit will eliminate green water entirely, no matter what type of pond you operate.
How do I choose a UV sterilizer for my aquarium?
There are lots of UV sterilizers out there, so it can get a little confusing when choosing the one you need. The main factors to consider are the power of the pump and the power of the bulb. You need to consider the size of your tank and the types of microorganism you want to kill to determine the right combination.Aug 29, 2019
How do you size a UV light?
Properly Sizing a UV Light In reality a UV is sized based on the flow rate or speed of the water that is going through it. This is usually expressed in GPM or GPH. So the flow rate of your water is what is critical in choosing the proper size unit, and more specifically the actual flow rate where the UV is installed.
How long should you run a UV sterilizer?
An aquarium UV steriliser should be switched on and running for 24 hours per day, every day. Exceptions would be setting the tank up before there are any fish in it, adding beneficial bacteria to the water, as UV light kills bacteria, or if you are using a medication that stipulates that UVs should be turned off.Jun 2, 2020
Is UV sterilizer worth it?
If set up appropriately, the UV sterilizer will kill the pests you want gone. It will also not kill beneficial bacteria unless they flow through the water. You will not need to worry about your fish either—they may be stressed with the device at first but will grow used to it.
Which is better steam sterilizer or UV sterilizer?
Steam sterilizers are basically sterilizers only, while UV sterilizers possess more functions such as storage function, dryers, self cleaning etc. ... With using UV Light, there is no need to wait for the water to dry up, with takes lesser time! Both steam and UV kills 99.99% of bacteria and germs.Jan 27, 2021
Why do I need a UV sterilizer?
UV Sterilizers Kill Harmful Algae In addition to bacteria and parasites, UV sterilizers kill algae, another kind of microorganism that gives aquarists trouble. Algae are the aquatic microorganisms that form green slime on your aquarium surfaces. They cause your water to become murky.Jun 11, 2019
Is UV light harmful to goldfish?
Ultraviolet light is beneficial to aquarium goldfish. The UV acts as a water sterilizer, killing bacteria and algae. ... Although generally beneficial, UV light can be harmful in doses that exceed the natural amount of light a wild fish would receive.
UV units have no effect on algae that is already growing on the glass or live rock. Some aquarists worry that UV will eliminate the natural plankton population in their tanks. Based on the wealth of research it is safe to say that running an aquarium-style UV on a reef tank won't have much of an effect on plankton.
How many watts should a UV sterilizer be?
As a rule of thumb, you need 10 watts for every 75 gallons of salt water. For fresh water, 10 watts per 150 gallons of water volume works well. Since outdoor ponds get sunlight daily, which is an excellent UV source, you won't need a strong sterilizer. Ten watts for every 1,000 gallons of pond water is sufficient.Feb 10, 2021