Source: Amazon
Buying an aquarium is a lot like buying a car. It is exciting and will add value to your life but no one tells you about the maintenance involved. The next thing you know, you are scoring the interwebs and aquatic pet shops in search of an aquarium UV sterilizer.
In your search, you will encounter dozens of UV sterilizers promising to work wonders for your aquarium. The challenge lies in discerning which one will actually live up to the lofty attributes on its packaging. Behold the aquarium sterilization guessing game.
If you are feeling tempted to give up on your aquarium, hold that thought. Here is a list of the top aquarium UV sterilizers available in the UK.
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The Fish ‘R’ Fun Green Killing machine is a compact unit with a hard plastic chamber. If your aquarium is getting hard to see through due to discolored water, this UV sterilizer has a 24W UV lamp that is powerful enough to zap out all the algae and get it clear again. It can also rid your fish tank of disease-causing parasites and bacteria. Given its ability to cycle about 400 liters of water per hour, you will likely see some improvement in your tank within a few days.
The installation style for this UV sterilizer is submersion. It is an easy process as the unit comes with suction cups for mounting in the fish tank. No other pipes or plumbing is required. As with all UV sterilizers, you will have to replace the bulb at some point. Fortunately, the control box has an LED indicator that will prompt you when the change is due.
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The Kafuty aquarium UV sterilizer offers not just one but 3 functions. It has a 9W UV lamp that efficiently eliminates bacteria and algae from your fish tank while its in-built pump improves water flow and boosts oxygen supply. This would be especially ideal if you have a small to medium-size fish tank that has low-pressure issues.
In the installation kit, you will find suction cups to help you secure this UV sterilizer after immersing it in the tank. For maintenance, it is designed for easy disassembling; you can take it apart, clean it, and put it back together. This will equally come in handy when the UV bulb requires changing.
On the downside, the Kafuty brand has not made this brand compatible with UK electrical outlets. It has a 2-pin plug which will likely require an adapter to plug in. The design also lacks an internal sludge collecting sponge which means you may need to augment it with other aquarium filter media.
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If you have a medium size fish tank, the EvoUV aquarium could serve you well. Its 25W UV lamp emits enough UV irradiation to exterminate algae and other disease-causing organisms. It is also protected against temperature alterations by quartz sleeves which gives you the freedom to use it at different temperature settings. In terms of water flow, the EvoUV has a maximum flow rate of 2000 liters per hour and can thus cope with aquarium capacities of up to 600 liters.
The design of this UV sterilizer seems a bit complex at first glance but that is only because it is designed to offer you connection options. It has 360-degree threaded hose tails that can be used to connect it to pump sumps, external powerheads, or filters. Using the mounting plates provided alongside the unit, you can submerge and install the EvoUV at any angle. In a rare twist, you can even connect multiple EvoUV sterilizers in parallel or series mode if you reckon one is not enough for your fish tank.
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Do you enjoy a good bargain? Well, then this UV sterilizer from the Finest-Filters brand is right up your alley. It is recommended for both boosting filtration and aquarium sterilization. For UV sterilization, it has a 5W UV lamp concealed in its plastic body. The wattage is not so high but it is effective for handling algae and some bacterial issues. You would get optimum performance if you use it in a small tank.
The filtration features include a foam pre-filter sponge and a venturi pipe which is optional during installation. It would be a good idea to install the pipe though if you would like to boost the oxygenation in the aquarium water.
The installation kit contains mounting brackets and suction cups. Once the UV sterilizer is submerged you can use them to mount it on the side of the fish tank. When installed right, it functions quietly.
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This Houseweet UV sterilizer is recommended for medium size aquariums. It has a 9W UV lamp that eliminates algae and clarifies aquarium water. However, if you are equally keen on deodorizing your aquarium, it is built to do that too. Its maximum flow rate is 800 liters per hour.
Aside from sterilization, this device also has filtration and pumping capabilities. It is fitted with changeable filter sponges that filter out debris. While they are quite helpful, it is advisable to change them regularly if you are to get the most out of them. Thankfully, the design can be taken apart and reassembled with ease. You will also still need to have additional filter media in the aquarium.
The pumping feature is complemented by an air inlet tube and could be beneficial if your fish tank requires extra aeration. The stipulated installation style for this UV sterilized is submersion.
The Mountain Tree aquarium UV sterilizers have a unique design from all other UV sterilizers. Stainless steel brackets take the place of the more common plastic body casings to ensure durability. If you are worried about metal scratches on your aquarium, don’t be. These UV sterilizers are designed to be installed on the surface of the water.
To accommodate different aquarium needs, Mountain Tree offers 3 different watt specifications; 15W, 20W, and 40W. They are all very effective for clarifying water and killing harmful pathogens like cyanobacteria and fish parasites. Perhaps the only consideration you would have to factor in is your fish tank size. The 15W would be ideal for small to medium aquariums while the 20W and 40W variations would excel in larger aquariums. Each lamp has a minimum lifespan of 8000 hours.
Each unit comes complete with everything you would need for installation. The 15W UV sterilizer which is a bit smaller also has a floating board to ensure it stays in place on the water surface. The installation process is simple and well outlined in an informative manual. Plus, for electrical safety, Mountain Tree UV sterilizers all have external sockets.
Assessing the needs of your aquarium is essential when choosing an aquarium UV sterilizer. Aside from tank size, factors such as the number of fish and aquarium plants influence the effectiveness of UV irradiation. Finally, and perhaps most important, your choice of an aquarium UV sterilizer manufacturer is imperative. The quality of their inputs and workmanship will determine whether you get any tangible results from their product. Choose wisely.
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