Uv Filter Knock Offs

[LordOfTheFish]

So, after many months of a terrible algae bloom in my tank, we have given in and decided to buy a UV filter.
 
My dad and I both did some research.
 
I decided that since UV bulbs have toxic chemicals that can kill your fish, I would be a lot more comfortable investing in a nicer, on-brand, more expensive UV sterilizer. A few I saw at my LFS were the Aqueon QuietFlow, and the mean green killing machine.
 
My dad, on the other hand, jumped straight into Amazon and, after reading a few reviews for one of the cheapest sterilizers he saw, purchased it without me knowing, even after I told him it was a terrible sterilizer. The sterilizer he bought was the Sunsun JUP - 01. It cost 30 bucks on Amazon.
 
It arrived today, and the first thing I noticed was that the packaging claimed that the box said "The uv clarify the water by Reducing the number of free swimming Algae ,bacteria ,virus ,fungi and protozoans." The instructions were very hard to decipher and I saw many amazon reviews claiming that on theirs the bulb cracked and released harmful chemicals, killing their fish.
 
My final concern is that it is only 9 watts, and I'm not sure if that is enough to kill protozoa and help prevent ich without the need for quarantine. Also, the sterilizer is an eye sore.
 
What do you all think? Should we return it, or should I chance putting it in my tank?
 
Thank you all!

 

[NickAu]

 
I saw many amazon reviews claiming that on theirs the bulb cracked and released harmful chemicals, killing their fish.

I wouldn't use it then, Its a pity you didn't read the reviews before buying it, Oh well never mind lesson learned we have all been there.

 

[Asteria]

 
I saw many amazon reviews claiming that on theirs the bulb cracked and released harmful chemicals, killing their fish.

I wouldn't use it then, Its a pity you didn't read the reviews before buying it, Oh well never mind lesson learned we have all been there.

Their dad bought it. They had no idea.

I also agree with nick on returning it.

 

[LordOfTheFish]

Thanks for the advice guys! Hopefully my dad takes you all seriously and lets me buy a better one!

 

[Far_King]

If you have a cannister filter I would go for a Vecton.  Their filters are proper sterilisers and not just low intensity UV that probably won't do a lot.
 
I saw an interesting article on UV the other day, I'll see if I can find it again.

 

[snowflake311]

the UV filter might help but it will not fix the problem. You need to figure out why you are having just a big algae problem. 
 
If it is the green water type of Algae. I would do Lots of extra Water changes 2 times a week. Turn off the lights or better yet put a blanket over the tank. No light and extra clean water will will starve the algae. 
 
Is the tank over stocked? is in near a window? Do you feed your fish too much? Is your filter the right size for the tank? What caused it in the first place? 

 

[StevenF]

.I would return it.  The big problem with this unit is the plastic is not UV resistant.  The UV degrading the plastic is apparently the source of the chemicals.  In one review I saw the unit had been only running one day when the fish started to die (the bulb didn't crack in that case).  
 
How keep in mind that UV sterilizers will have no effect on algae attached to plants and rocks in the aquarium.  It will only effect algae, parasites, and bacteria floating in the water (green water)  So if you don't have green water it will not help you in solving your algae issue.  It will only kill things that can be pumped through the UV sterilizer.  
 
9 watts maybe enough for your aquarium.  It all depends on the  flow rate through the sterilizer and how long the water is exposed to UV before being pumped out .  So you  need to buy the unit the manufacture recommends for your  tank  size.   

 

[Far_King]

I would just say that the recommended tank size for a UV unit isn't the correct way to go about it.  You have to calculate the Litres Per Hour flow rate through the filter and make sure any UV unit can exceed this for dwell time.
 
If you have a powerful filter attached to a 100 litres tank then a 100 litre recommended UV unit will be a waste of money.
 
All the info of flow rates should be in the paperwork with the filter.  If you don't have that it will be on the internet somewhere.
 
After you know that, then go looking for a good UV
 
I also agree with Snowflake in that the overall issue needs looking into.  I would suggest lowering the lighting time on the tank for a while and ensuring that any exposure to direct sunlight it limited until the algae is back under control.

 

[RainboWBacoN420]

Ohhhh yes, just a couple of weeks ago, I bought a nice little cheap UV sterilizer/ filter off of Amazon. It was AquaTop UV Hang Off Filter. Terrible, terrible product. Very cheaply made. The whole design was just terribly flawed. In fact, it ended up over flowing,, the only way you could prevent this is if you don't use the filter cartridge and UV Shield. I woke up one morning to find 2 gallons missing from my 15 gallon, I ended up switching back to my nice, decent and properly working Aqueon filter.