UV light usage

[bronco9]

Thinking about adding a UV sterilizer to my 55 gallon planted tank. Heard it can help with algae and parasites, but not sure if it's worth the hassle. Anyone got experience with these things?

[RiverKai]

I've been using a UV sterilizer for about six months now. It's cut down on green water algae a ton, but you gotta make sure the flow rate is right. Too fast and it doesn't work, too slow and it overheats.

[Hawk]

Yep, UV's legit for algae. Just don't expect it to fix everything. Gotta keep up with water changes and all that jazz too.

[luminas]

I've heard mixed things about UV sterilizers. Some say they're great, others say they mess with beneficial bacteria. What's your take on that?

[DeepB23]

I've been using a UV sterilizer for about six months now. It's cut down on green water algae a ton, but you gotta make sure the flow rate is right. Too fast and it doesn't work, too slow and it overheats.

That's spot on. The flow rate's crucial. I run mine at about 100 gph for my 75 gallon, and it's been solid. Also, keep in mind UV only kills free-floating stuff, so it won't touch algae on surfaces or parasites on fish.

[bronco9]

Thanks for the input, everyone. Gonna look into flow rates and maybe grab one if the price isn't too wild.

[RiverKai]

No prob. Just make sure you get one rated for your tank size. Oversizing's better than undersizing, but don't go crazy.

[Hawk]

And remember to replace the bulb every six months or so. They lose effectiveness over time.

[luminas]

Good point about the bulb. I've read that some people forget and then wonder why it's not working anymore.

[DeepB23]

Yeah, UV bulbs are like light bulbs, they dim over time. Also, keep an eye on your fish's behavior. Some folks say UV can stress certain species, though I've never seen it myself.