Filtration and UV sterilization

[laddy57]

Hello,
I'm new here, and am looking for some advice on filtration and UV sterilization. First,......a little background. I've been keeping fishtanks off and on since I was a kid. Of late, I've fallen a bit out of touch with all the advances in technology that seem to be available. I had a great discussion on Thanksgiving with my brother in law about UV sterilization and what a great thing it was for many different reasons. I"m sold on doing it. Anyway, I'm starting a new 55 Gallon African Cichlid tank. Looking to get a new canister filter either with a built in UV sterilizer, or a new canister filter and a separate in line sterilizer.
There seems to be a wide array of bulb wattages, prices, etc. I'm very confused as to what I should get. I don't want to break the bank, but I also want something that is going to work. I was looking at the "Reaction 4" filter with a "built in UV sterilizer gut that lamp is only 5 watts. I then found a Hydor canister that seemed well liked and was on sale. I would need an in line UV for that. Was thinking about the "Turbotwist". Anyway, sorry this is so long! Any input is greatly appreciated!

[Carl]

First, if you are looking for true level one UV Sterilization, you will not get this with any built in canister filter UV.
These simply do not have the contact time as per flow and a gap of .3 mm or less between the bulb or quartz sleeve and the wall of the unit
Reference:
www.americanaquariumproducts.com/AquariumUVSterilization.html#uvquality

This said, a canister filter that has a UV coupled to a true UV Sterilizer can boost performance.
For this there are many canister filters including the SunSun Canister Filter (be careful of the Amazon & eBay models though as these do not have improvements to design that are important)

As for the Turbo Twist, I do NOT recommend this model.
It has a high ballast failure rate and its design is a gimmick that actually lowers UVC exposure time due to the amount f water that is kept at too far from the UV lamp.
Honestly, the fact that this UV is still popular baffles me considering the many problems, and often high price for a very questionable UV

Reference:
www.uvsterilizerreview.com/2012/12/turbo-twist-lifeguard-uv-sterilizer.html
&
www.uvsterilizerreview.com/2009/12/uv-sterilizer-problems-equipment.html

I would strongly suggest the Vecton UV Sterilizers for the best dwell time and over all performance.
See:
www.americanaquariumproducts.com/TMCUVSterilizer.html

For a good UV Sterilizer with a solid proven design that will not break the bank, but still performs level one UV Sterilization, I would suggest the SunSun Terminator UV Sterilizers
See:
www.americanaquariumproducts.com/CompactUVSterilizer.html


Please Read these articles in full for a MUCH better understading of UV Sterilization:
www.americanaquariumproducts.com/AquariumUVSterilization.html
www.americanaquariumproducts.com/UVSterilizerDwellTime.html

Carl

[laddy57]

Thanks Carl, that's great information. I will check out those articles. Do you have an opinion on the Hydor canister filter?

[devonjohnsgard]

Hey there. Here is one of Carl's articles that talks about the filter comparing it to other filters.

www.americanaquariumproducts.com/Aquarium_Filtration.html#sunsun2

It's similar to others, but the article has a bias towards SunSun which is explained why in the article.

[parker002]

My UV filter is probably one of the best investments I've ever made.

[devonjohnsgard]

Dec 9, 2013 12:46:45 GMT -5 parker002 said:

My UV filter is probably one of the best investments I've ever made.

Glad to hear it. Now we just need to make other aquarium keepers feel this way...

[parker002]

I have 2 TMC UV25's, one on my 55G and one on my pond.

They do two completely different things but they do both well.