UVC or UV Steralizer or BOTH?

[Squatching_Fish]

I'm getting a Fluval FX4 and I love gadgets. I saw they have a in-line UVC and learned about that. Helps water quality and helps prevent algae. Then I saw there is a UV Sterilizer. (Green killing machine) It seems like it does the same thing but also helps prevent parasites. Thats +1 good over the UVC. Now Will a UV sterilizer be enough or should I just do both. I researched both products. I like how the UVC is external in-line and out of sight out of mind but the UV Sterilizer is just another thing to put in the tank and run 24/7. 

Thoughts? Experiences?

(This is a new tank with no fish in it yet, trying to make sure this display tank is as nice and clean for muh fish as possible)

 

Thank you

[Lynaea]

I had to look up the uvc as I’d never heard of it.  First negative, the Amazon listing states it doesn’t fit the FX series canisters. 
I would say not to bother with either though to start, a uv sterilizer is not really necessary unless you run into greenwater issues and even then there are other ways to fix it. I would say save your money for some other , more useful gadget. 

[Colu]

On 10/2/2024 at 10:05 AM, Squatching_Fish said:

I'm getting a Fluval FX4 and I love gadgets. I saw they have a in-line UVC and learned about that. Helps water quality and helps prevent algae. Then I saw there is a UV Sterilizer. (Green killing machine) It seems like it does the same thing but also helps prevent parasites. Thats +1 good over the UVC. Now Will a UV sterilizer be enough or should I just do both. I researched both products. I like how the UVC is external in-line and out of sight out of mind but the UV Sterilizer is just another thing to put in the tank and run 24/7. 

Thoughts? Experiences?

(This is a new tank with no fish in it yet, trying to make sure this display tank is as nice and clean for muh fish as possible)

 

Thank you

I use a fluval inline uvc and I have used green machine you need a minimum of 18 watt UV light to kill virus bacteria and parasites if it's weaker than that it's will only kill free floating algae fluval inline uvc is only six watts it's only good for free floating algae green killing  machine has 24 watt UV light on the model I have  so is better at killing virus and bacteria and parasites

Edited October 2 by Colu

[Squatching_Fish]

On 10/2/2024 at 6:29 AM, Colu said:

I use a fluval inline uvc and I have used green machine you need a minimum of 18 watt UV light to kill virus bacteria and parasites if it there weaker than that it's will only kill free floating algae fluval inline uvc is only six watts it's only good for free floating algae green killing  machine has 24 watt UV light on the model I have  so is better at killing virus and bacteria and parasites

So would I do both of these? Or is the UV sterilizer good enough?

On 10/2/2024 at 6:01 AM, Lynaea said:

I had to look up the uvc as I’d never heard of it.  First negative, the Amazon listing states it doesn’t fit the FX series canisters. 
I would say not to bother with either though to start, a uv sterilizer is not really necessary unless you run into greenwater issues and even then there are other ways to fix it. I would say save your money for some other , more useful gadget. 

Fluval made one a year ago UVC for FX and adapters for the 07 series and other canisters which was nice of them. But that answers my question. I can just get a sterilizer later if I run into problems. Not necessarily needed for startup. Thank you. Me and  My wallet thanks you

[Colu]

On 10/2/2024 at 2:09 PM, Squatching_Fish said:

So would I do both of these? Or is the UV sterilizer good enough?

Fluval made one a year ago UVC for FX and adapters for the 07 series and other canisters which was nice of them. But that answers my question. I can just get a sterilizer later if I run into problems. Not necessarily needed for startup. Thank you. Me and  My wallet thanks you

It depends on what you want it for  you just want to deal with green water fluval uvc fine is and you don't have extra equipment in the tank if you want to deal with virus bacteria and parasites it will also kill free floating algae green machine is what I would get 

[dasaltemelosguy]

On 10/2/2024 at 2:05 AM, Squatching_Fish said:

I'm getting a Fluval FX4 and I love gadgets. I saw they have a in-line UVC and learned about that. Helps water quality and helps prevent algae. Then I saw there is a UV Sterilizer. (Green killing machine) It seems like it does the same thing but also helps prevent parasites. Thats +1 good over the UVC. Now Will a UV sterilizer be enough or should I just do both. I researched both products. I like how the UVC is external in-line and out of sight out of mind but the UV Sterilizer is just another thing to put in the tank and run 24/7. 

Thoughts? Experiences?

(This is a new tank with no fish in it yet, trying to make sure this display tank is as nice and clean for muh fish as possible)

 

Thank you

Hi, "UV" is a generic term for all ultraviolet light. UV light comes in 3 categories, UVA, UVB and UVC. 

 

UVA is a blacklight and UVB close to sunlight and is commonly used for reptiles but only UVC is categorized as "germicidal". 

 

As @Colu said, a minimum wattage is needed to effect germicidal and parasitical deactivation, but UV sterilization efficacy is largely determined by the length of the bulb.

 

The reason being, there is a predictable probability of floating debris blocking enough UVC light to prevent some degree of sterilization in a phenomenon known as "shielding". This probability is reduced by simply increasing the length of the bulb OR reducing the flow rate. 

 

The drinking water grade sterilization for homes therefore tends to be over 24" in length and enjoys a wattage over 25W. This combination allows the flow rate to increase such that the one linked below has a 700GPH, a 99.999% kill efficacy and is 55W.

 

If you don't mind adapting the common garden hose fittings that these use to your filter's output, these are not only more effective than UV lights for aquariums, but they cost a fraction of the aquatic units. These even come with spare bulbs and spare quartz sleeves for $86:

 

55W Inline UVC 700GPH

 

In my system, these have been running for over a year without any noticeable loss in UVC output. You can test this periodically with a common UVC test card which only lights when 30mw/cm2 of UVC is present, the threshold of germicidal status when held about 2" from the bulb:

 

UVC Test Card

 

 

These UVC sterilizers are potent enough to even dechlorinate water without chemicals. This is purely anecdotal, but I have not had any algae in my tanks, except for some diatoms below the gravel line since these were installed.  Good luck. 

Edited October 2 by dasaltemelosguy