UV Sterilizers

While UV sterilizers are not essential for every aquarium, they can provide notable benefits. Most bacteria and microbes do not live freely in the water column, but there are still some that do. While the majority of these microbes are harmless, some can be problematic.

A UV sterilizer uses the destructive properties of UVC light to target and kill harmful microorganisms floating in the water. This makes them particularly useful for managing certain issues like green water caused by algae blooms. When algae turns the water cloudy, a UV sterilizer can effectively clear the water by destroying the algae, helping to restore crystal-clear clarity.

It's important to note that a UV sterilizer is not a substitute for proper filtration. While filtration removes debris and wastes, the UV sterilizer helps to polish water by eliminating free-floating microbes that might cloud the water. The beneficial bacteria you want to thrive in your tank live on surfaces, not in the water, so a UV sterilizer won't disrupt the vital microbial life that supports your aquarium's ecosystem.