[Error]

Alright, I'm looking into UV sterilizers because nothing else is helping this green water. I have a few questions first:

1. Is this one any good?

2. How does the water get through it? Does it need another pump? Can I use a powerhead instead?

3. Are there ready-to-use HOB models?

4. What is all this marine mumbo-jumbo about hose fittings and whatnot?

 

[plantbrain]

The Tetra is okay. Most go for the 9 w Coral life's etc, they cost about the same, sometimes you'll find them on sale etc for 69.99 at Big Al's.

Diatom filters also work.

UV just needs water pushed through. So apowerhead or canister outflow etc. Attach, turn on and that's it, wait about a day or so.
Run for 1-2 days longers to get all the GW.

Regards,
Tom Barr

 

[niko]

From what I know it's hard to say which UV sterilizer is better. The manufacturers don't agree on what is optimal power, flow rates, etc. So a practical approach would be to get the most powerful sterilizer your money can buy. So you may want to look into this.

Another thing is to make sure that the hose connections on the sterilizer don't leak. 'Laguna' (the one meant for ponds) has connections that may leak.

All sterilizers require an external pump. But you can hook the unit to your existing canister filter hoses.

Try to run the sterilizer on a timer, not 24/7. That will increase the time you can use the bulb.

Finally even if you run your sterilizer 24/7 that is not a guarantee that your green water will disappear completely.

--Nikolay