The aquarium uv is a device that uses a special UV light to kill or zap free-floating bacteria, parasites and algae spores that pass through it. This essentially makes it a sort of a secondary filter that helps to keep the water clean and tidy by getting rid of these organisms. This can be a useful tool to have, especially when it comes to preventing or dealing with fish diseases and nuisance algae.
The main problem that all fish tanks face is the possibility of a disease outbreak or nuisance algae. As a result, any device that can help reduce the amount of pathogens in the tank water is welcomed by most fishkeepers. Aquarium uv sterilizers are a great way to do this, as they can be used to kill or prevent various illnesses and diseases in the livestock. Typically, they are placed in the aquarium cabinet and connected to either an internal powerfilter that comes with a built-in uv or an external powerfilter with a hosetail adapter. They can be run constantly or intermittently, depending on your preference and the needs of your aquarium.
Aquarium UV Sterilizers
A uv sterilizer works by emitting ultraviolet light that is invisible to human eyes. This light is divided into several wavelengths, with the shortest being called UV-C. This has germicidal properties and it is able to mutate the DNA of any organism that passes close enough to it. This will then shorten their life cycle and possibly kill them. It is important to note that the uv sterilizer does not harm beneficial microorganisms in the tank water, such as those found in live plants and biological filter media.
One of the most popular uv sterilizers for fish tanks is the kalkwasser reactor uv sterilizer. This type of uv sterilizer is a great way to get rid of unwanted organisms in your aquarium, including cyanobacteria (aka green water). This will not only help to make your aquarium water look better but it can also improve the redox potential of your aquarium. This will help the fish to fight off diseases more effectively, as it will lower their oxidative stress levels.
However, if you use the kalkwasser reactor uv in your aquarium you should be sure to replace the bulb at least once a year or it will lose its effectiveness. Also, the uv sterilizer can only be used when the water turnover rate is a minimum of 3.6 times an hour.
There are many other ways to treat your aquarium water, including protein skimmers and filtration media, but the uv sterilizer can be a helpful addition to any fish tank. Just be sure to use it properly and replace the bulb often, as well as check the temperature of the water frequently as higher temperatures may affect how quickly it is sterilized. You should also be careful to not place any corals or live plants too close to the uv sterilizer, as this can be harmful.