A UV aquarium sterilizer will kill algae, viruses, bacteria and parasites using ultraviolet bulbs. This sterilizer does a great job at cleaning the aquarium water to pristine conditions. So effective is an ultraviolet sterilizer that there are a number of corporations out there that purify drinking water on a large scale using this method and even to kill algae growth in outdoor ponds.

If you have a fish tank at home, you would most likely use several fish tank filters cleaning the water. A UV aquarium sterilizer is a good addition to any aquarium, but the point to remember is that it should not be use alone and needs to be the last stage of the filtration process. It’s important that fish tank water passes through the normal fish tank filter before moving through the UV aquarium sterilizer unit. Your normal fish tank filter removes solids so that when the water passes through the UV aquarium sterilizer unit afterwards is cleaned with optimal results.

As long as the bulb is not too old and it has sufficient wattage, your UV aquarium sterilizer will function well. Then, you will have to maintain the flow rate of the water and clean the quartz sleeve to ensure that it remains efficient.

The Bulb

Over time, the UV bulb will begin to lose its effectiveness, which is why it should be replaced twice a year. You will be able to buy bulbs between 8 watts and 130 watts - a higher wattage provides better cleaning. If you are using a lower wattage buld, you will need to have a lower flow rate in order to work well.

Flow Rate

The flow rate is another important factor to consider. Slower flow rates are more effective to kill algae, in addition to parasites and bacteria. The flow rates are measured in either gallons per hour or liters per hour. As an example, a sterilizer with a 15-watt bulb has no problem to kill algae and bacteria at a 120 gph flow, but it won’t kill parasites unless the flow rate drops to 75 gph.

Clean the Quartz

You can find the quartz sleeve where the UV bulb fits into the device. Many people forget about this part of the UV aquarium sterilizer and do not clean it enough. {By cleaning it, you will remove|Cleaning the sleeve removes] build up and ensures that the UV aquarium sterilizer works at optimum levels. You can buy more expensive sterilizers which come with a wiper handle situated outside of the device for fast and easy cleaning of the sleeve, without having to dismantle everything.

These days it is easy to purchase a UV aquarium sterilizer, whether in local fish stores or online. These devices make a great addition to any fish tank, but they can be expensive, especially if you consider the cost to replace the bulbs.

Salt water fish tank enthusiasts are more likely to purchase a UV aquarium sterilizer because it will improve the water quality and provides extra protection for expensive salt water fish.

Although a UV aquarium sterilizer is not a necessity, many aquarium hobbyists do find that this device is great at maintaining clean water while keeping fish and other aquatic life healthy and happy. At the end of the day, it all comes down to personal choice and what works best for your fish tank.

For more help on how to kill algae using a UV aquarium sterilizer, visit Fish Tank Filters at http://fish-tank-filters.org today.