The UV sterilizers work by emitting some rays of UV light that mutates any microorganism’s DNA. This prevents the growth of the parasite and controls its life cycle and the reproduction cycle at large.
Despite having a properly functioning filtration system, our aquariums can be inhabited by several microorganisms. These parasites will further cause poor health of the aquarium or even destroy the fish tank. This is where the UV sterilizers come in as handy tools for aquariums to prevent the growth of all forms of pathogens. This will maintain the aquarium conducive and safe environment for your fish. What does a UV sterilizer do in a freshwater aquarium? Let’s have the limelight on this topic today.
What Does a UV Sterilizer Do in a Freshwater Aquarium?
These devices use fluorescent bulbs to emit wavelengths. Water flowing into the system gets contact with the wavelengths, and thereby it gets sterilized. The work of the UV sterilizers and the UV-C is to disrupt and destroy nucleic acids and the DNA of microorganisms. This disables them from performing their cellular activities in general.
The wavelengths of light are strong enough to destroy the molecular bonds in place. High energy photons are converted from stronger chemical bonds to break down the celled DNA material.
But then, what about the fish in your aquarium? Will they not be killed alike? The UV sterilizers prevent one-cell organisms that float freely on the UV sterilizer freshwater aquarium. This takes place without harming any inhabitant attached to the surface of the aquarium or inside at large. UV-C rays emitted by the UV sterilizers have a germicidal ability capable of sterilizing the environment.
But then, can the UV sterilizers bring any effect if you have a properly functioning filtration system? Even with a mechanical and biological system, you won’t lack microorganism growth cases in your aquarium. You will find aggressive algae growing in the aquarium over time, making it unhealthy for the fish in it.
Algae growth in aquariums can also be possible since it is exposed to light and nutrients. These microscopic organisms cannot be seen by our naked eyes. The only indication of them is the turbidity in the water when they have grown to adulthood. They need to be eliminated early before they can cause harm to your fishes in the aquarium.
Even with proper maintenance and follow-up of everything in the aquarium, it is quite impossible to realize these microorganisms’ growth. Besides the growth of algae spores, other parasites might also attack the aquarium at large. Therefore, you need to prevent the development of these microorganisms from having a healthy aquarium for your fishes. A robust filtration system is also essential to maintain the aquarium healthy.
The Efficiency Factors of a UV Sterilizer
An aquarium’s efficiency can be changed according to an individual’s need to balance the aquarium environment. Let’s look at a few factors that influence the efficiency of UV sterilizers’ functioning.
The Age of the Bulb
As the bulb ages, the ability to create UV light goes down gradually. The efficiency of the bulb can go down by 40% when it gets older. This, in turn, reduces the radiation emitted. Therefore, for maximum efficiency of the bulb, you should replace it at least twice a year. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendation closely to know more about when to replace older bulbs with newer options.
The Contact Time Power of the Sterilizer Bulb
You need more UV radiations to ensure you get the best results overall. You will get UV light emission when there is more bulb wattage.
The Bulb Length
This is an important factor if you deem to get excellent results at large. The bulb length influences the overall contact time. Longer options are preferable since they provide longer contact time between water and the UV light.
The Contact Time
The time of exposure of UV light to the affected aquarium influences most of the overall outcome. More exposure to UV light brings about the high killing power of the available microorganisms.
The System Flow Rate
The flow rate greatly influences the dwelling time of the aquarium. The contact time becomes more with a reduced flow rate; this, in turn, provides more efficiency. For individuals who deem for better results, the returned water flow rate should be controlled at all times.
The Turnover Time of the UV Sterilizer
This is the time water in your aquarium passes through the UV sterilizer. Getting the turnover time isn’t an easy task since not all water is capable of getting sterilized.
What Size of UV Sterilizer to Buy
UV sterilizers are important accessories for aquariums. UV sterilizers act as insurance covers to apartments at large. Proper use and care habits such as filter maintenance and regular changing of water should be adhered to. These devices target the free-floating microorganisms in the aquarium.
Every person needs the best out of every project that is started. You need to place the UV sterilizer after a mechanical or biological filtration to get optimum performance. Besides this, there is a need to control the sterilizer flow rate as per the manufacturer’s recommendations. Correct usage of the UV sterilizer ensures it targets only microorganisms. It also provides enough exposure time to get rid of all organisms and parasites from your aquarium.
The UV sterilizers are designed easy to set up in several configurations. There are both stand-alone UV sterilizes and others housed in canister filters at large. All these can either be tucked inside the aquarium stand or hanged on the aquarium walls. There are several models in the market explicitly designed to kill all free-floating microorganisms in aquariums.
Conclusion
What does a UV sterilizer do in a freshwater aquarium? UV sterilizers are excellent devices to maintain aquariums conducive to our fishes. They help to boost the clarity and cleanliness of an aquarium. Maintain the health of aquarium creatures by incorporating effective filtration components and husbandly skills in your aquarium.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.