Uv Sterilizer

[BlueFox]

I'm in the middle of a huuuuge algae bloom - something I've never had since I set up my Rena 120x50 tank a couple of years ago. I've been reading that UV filters will get rid of any free-floating algae as well as any unwanted parasites that are present in the water.

Sounds good to me!

So does anybody have any recommendations on what to get? I've seen that most places sell the Vecton range. Maybe it's the transparent casing, but these look a little 'inferior' to me - I prefer something that looks a bit more solid. I've also seen the Aquael range. To me, these look a bit more like it. I will always go for the stuff that does the job and does it well (maybe the cheap casing on the vecton is overwhelmed by it's superior efficiency).

I've no experience of either the vecton nor the aquael. I'm initially drawn toward the Aquael (just because it looks as if it's built better). However, it seems that spare parts (i.e. bulbs) for the vecton are far easier to source.

So which would you guys recommend?

 

[Revision17]

I've had good luck with Gamma UV sterilizers. Avoid sterilizers which aren't simple tubes; anything which routes the water around in funky ways is a marketing gimmick.

There's really no disadvantage to running a UV sterilizer other than it oxidizing iron chelate fertilizer and using up extra power. If you're going to use it, you want to run it all the time.

 

[SuperColey1]

Most people buy the Vecton because its the best one!!

The transparent casing is the newer version. It used to look like all the others being a large tube with the hosetails.

If you are UK I am selling one. nudge, nudge in the buy sell and swap section. They do work just I don't really need it and I want less equipment on my tank these days.

Andy

 

[BlueFox]

Most people buy the Vecton because its the best one!!

The transparent casing is the newer version. It used to look like all the others being a large tube with the hosetails.

If you are UK I am selling one. nudge, nudge in the buy sell and swap section. They do work just I don't really need it and I want less equipment on my tank these days.

Andy

Thanks Andy. However, I think I'll need at least the Vecton 300 as the 200 won't be sufficient for my tank size. Will the 300 do as my tank is 120x50x70 (420l) but realistically it's probably just over the 300 mark (obviously it's not filled to the brim and there's quite a lot of gravel and plants)

 

[SuperColey1]

It depends more on the lph of the filter you use I think as it needs to be able to handle the throughput.

They always assume that ou are using the 'suggested' sized filters for the tank whereas a lot of us planted people are these days going for between 5 & 10 x tank volume per hour!!!


Andy

 

[BlueFox]

It depends more on the lph of the filter you use I think as it needs to be able to handle the throughput.

They always assume that ou are using the 'suggested' sized filters for the tank whereas a lot of us planted people are these days going for between 5 & 10 x tank volume per hour!!!


Andy

I'm using the filter that came with the tank. It's a Rena XP3 with a throughput of 1350l/hour. Will the Vecton 300 be able to handle this - I can't seem to find this info on the web?

 

[SuperColey1]

I have no idea really. The faster the lph the shorter time the water will be in the UV and the less effective it will be.

Andy