After seeing a post here about a very affordable in tank UV sterilizer on Petsmart's site, I decided it was worth the money to try it and see if I could solve my blue/green algae problem or keep it in check.
Here's Petsmart's site on it. I got the 9watt model. Remember, that this Sterilizer operates INSIDE your tank.
http://www.petsmart.com/global/prod...54&itemNo=4&Ntt=uv&In=All&previousText=uv&N=2
Here is the website for the vendor: (slow loading)
http://aa-aquarium.com/
It arrived the other day, so I decided to take some pictures and start putting it together.
Here is the package: It was well packed using extruded cardboard.
Here is part of the unit. Note that this is just the lamp portion. When you order a replacement lamp, this black sealed housing is what you get. The hole to the right of the blue foam intake is the output for the light unit, but also where the intake to the external powerhead connects.
This is a picture of the two elbows, and power head. Documentation was more than enough to get this thing together.
OK, it's mostly together now. That will give you a good idea of what the assembly looks like in your tank. The power head has four suction cups, and so far they are holding fine in the tank. The output elbow can be positioned to point where you'd like it to. I originally thought that the unit was just what turned out to be the light unit, and that the housing was pump and all. So, again, be mindful that this is bigger than what the picture on the website shows.
This next picture is of the power brick, and power distribution hub. Both power head and lamp unit plug into the distribution hub which is plugged into the power brick. The hub has suction cups to attach to the outside of your tank, but they are useless in actually holding it on there.... Mine is just sitting on the table base. The hub also has a red LED that stays lit as long as the light is functional. This tells you if the lamp unit needs replacement.
Thoughts:
If this UV setup works for me, I'll probably go ahead and order another spare lamp as I don't know if this no-name brand/product will still be around a year from now when I need one. The blue foam pre-filter pad can be rinsed and probably a new one cut from new material.
The power brick/wall wart is actually quite large, and probably overkill, though it is cool to the touch. Both lamp unit and power head are UL listed along with the power brick.
The suction cups on the power head aren't staying put now that I've checked on my tank again. I may need to clean the glass better.
It is quiet running. It is rated at 52 gallons/200 L per hour. I'm not an expert, but I'm doubtful that is the rate based on testing the output with my finger. However, on my 16 gallon tank, it will probably do the job and the lower flow rate will probably be better for killing stuff.
I did a water change 25% before adding the unit to the tank. I suspect that it will take another 48 hours or so to see a difference in the amount of blue/green algae I have. I may do another small change on Sunday to help it along. I'll post back on whether this is doing the job or not. I don't expect it to solve my algae problem alone, but I'm assuming it will keep it in check. I'm hoping it works as I'm just trying to get an idea of what type of setup and equipment to have ready for when I get my 100+ gallon tank setup.
Here's Petsmart's site on it. I got the 9watt model. Remember, that this Sterilizer operates INSIDE your tank.
http://www.petsmart.com/global/prod...54&itemNo=4&Ntt=uv&In=All&previousText=uv&N=2
Here is the website for the vendor: (slow loading)
http://aa-aquarium.com/
It arrived the other day, so I decided to take some pictures and start putting it together.
Here is the package: It was well packed using extruded cardboard.
Here is part of the unit. Note that this is just the lamp portion. When you order a replacement lamp, this black sealed housing is what you get. The hole to the right of the blue foam intake is the output for the light unit, but also where the intake to the external powerhead connects.
This is a picture of the two elbows, and power head. Documentation was more than enough to get this thing together.
OK, it's mostly together now. That will give you a good idea of what the assembly looks like in your tank. The power head has four suction cups, and so far they are holding fine in the tank. The output elbow can be positioned to point where you'd like it to. I originally thought that the unit was just what turned out to be the light unit, and that the housing was pump and all. So, again, be mindful that this is bigger than what the picture on the website shows.
This next picture is of the power brick, and power distribution hub. Both power head and lamp unit plug into the distribution hub which is plugged into the power brick. The hub has suction cups to attach to the outside of your tank, but they are useless in actually holding it on there.... Mine is just sitting on the table base. The hub also has a red LED that stays lit as long as the light is functional. This tells you if the lamp unit needs replacement.
Thoughts:
If this UV setup works for me, I'll probably go ahead and order another spare lamp as I don't know if this no-name brand/product will still be around a year from now when I need one. The blue foam pre-filter pad can be rinsed and probably a new one cut from new material.
The power brick/wall wart is actually quite large, and probably overkill, though it is cool to the touch. Both lamp unit and power head are UL listed along with the power brick.
The suction cups on the power head aren't staying put now that I've checked on my tank again. I may need to clean the glass better.
It is quiet running. It is rated at 52 gallons/200 L per hour. I'm not an expert, but I'm doubtful that is the rate based on testing the output with my finger. However, on my 16 gallon tank, it will probably do the job and the lower flow rate will probably be better for killing stuff.
I did a water change 25% before adding the unit to the tank. I suspect that it will take another 48 hours or so to see a difference in the amount of blue/green algae I have. I may do another small change on Sunday to help it along. I'll post back on whether this is doing the job or not. I don't expect it to solve my algae problem alone, but I'm assuming it will keep it in check. I'm hoping it works as I'm just trying to get an idea of what type of setup and equipment to have ready for when I get my 100+ gallon tank setup.
Last edited:
:clap: