Best UV Sterilizer for Aquariums 2022 - Reviews & Buyer's Guide

1. AA	2. Aqua	3. SunSun JUP-01

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Whether you’ve been keeping fish for years or you’re new to the hobby, it’s probable that you’ve found algae growth to be a problem. They grow in all kinds of fish tanks, but they’re all the more likely when placed in direct sunlight. One easy way to combat this is to add a few species of fish that eat algae, and to limit the amount of light your aquarium gets.

But what’s the most effective way to deal with these small organisms that are actually your biggest enemies? Easy: invest in the best UV sterilizer. It’s like getting an additional mechanical filter in your fish tank, only better. This equipment helps to kill all single-celled microorganisms in your fish tank that can cause cloudiness or disease in your fish.

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The advantage with using UV sterilization over chemical treatment of water is that UV will not affect your coral or fish. It can, however, destroy free floating pathogens by causing a change in their genetic material – which is just what you want to achieve crystal clear, disease-free water.

This buying guide is here to make the decision-making process easier. First, to understand what you’ll be getting, below is a list of factors and variables that differ from one UV sterilizer to another. After that follows a list of the best UV sterilizer aquarium owners should know about.

How To Choose The Best UV Sterilizer for Aquariums

A little research is absolutely essential to understand how a UV sterilizer works so that you can pick the model that best suits your tank. They differ in a lot of ways, and most people don’t take the time to understand the difference.

Getting a cheap one and expecting it will do its magic is not the best way to go about this.
Instead, read through all these features below that differ from one UV sterilizer to another. These will help to determine what kind you need to get for the particular aquarium specification that you have. Generally, though, the best ones are usually expensive.

1. Level Of Sterilization

The level of sterilization that a particular product can achieve is something that you definitely must know, as a customer. Generally, it can be broken down into three applications:

Clarification (green water clarifying sterilizers)
Sterilization (Light parasite, flagellates and bacterial sterilizers)
Heavy sterilization (heavy parasite sterilizers)

The cheap ones on the market are only capable of the first kind, that is, they clear green water. It kills algae, but it doesn’t have the ability to keep disease-causing virus and bacteria away from your pets. Redox balance and parasite mitigation are also not controlled, which is why, this kind doesn’t really pass as sterilizers.

If you don’t read specifications of the unit clearly, you might end up getting one of these when you actually intended on getting a proper UV sterilizer. However, they are usually easy to setup and install. Their dwell time is low and their cost is quite cheap. They are usually used in freshwater ponds and tanks.

Serious UV sterilization begins with the second kind. These are called mid-level units, or Level 1 sterilizers. They are much more powerful than clarifying sterilizers and work quite effectively to destroy most viruses and bacteria.
These middle-grade models are best for common ponds and fish tanks. Their dwell time is high enough, and they have high flow rates to clear your tank’s green water, as well as kill disease-causing micro-organisms so your tank remains clean and clear.

The best and the most powerful type of UV sterilizers for home use are the third type, also called Level two sterilizers. These are the best UV sterilizers that aquarium owners can get their hands on. They kill all of the bad multicellular parasites, viruses and bacteria by using concentrated UV radiation.

They can, sometimes, be quite expensive, and are typically bought for use in public aquariums. They increase disease resistance in your fish, contain algae, maintain redox balance, mitigate disease and clarify the water. They work at flow rates lower than those seen in mid-level units.

2. Water Flow Rate

A factor that most manufacturers lie about is the maximum flow rate their UV sterilizer provides. It is also one of the most important factors that decides the best uv sterilizer for aquarium or fish tank owners can buy. It can be cross-checked by easily inquiring consumers who already use it, or you can do it yourself by assessing the amount of water the UV sterilizer can give out into a bucket in a given time period.

Higher flow rates mean that you can sterilize all the water in a pretty big aquarium faster, but it will mean lesser dwell time unless you get a really powerful UV light. In this way, you can ensure the death of pathogens and water free of algae.

A slow water flow rate means microorganisms are under UV light for longer, resulting in more effective killing and a reduction of stubborn bacteria and parasites number. Thus, flow rate ultimately decides the power of UV light you should buy as it is closely related to contact time.

If the product you purchase comes with a powerhead, it should be the one you prefer. This is because this way you know the flow rate it will offer and can control it, permitting a UV bulb of lesser power. Otherwise, it will be determined by the aquarium’s canister filter, and you would need a stronger bulb, which can be quite expensive.

3. Contact Time (Dwell Time)

Exposure, dwell time and contact time – they all mean the same thing. That is, the amount of time the water is susceptible to the ultraviolet light inside the quartz chamber. The longer the dwell time, the longer water remains exposed. This is a very important factor to consider if you want the best uv sterilizer for aquarium.

Dwell time primarily depends on the water flow rate. Dwell time is longer when water flows through it at a slow speed. It also depends on the length of the bulb. A long bulb means that water remains touched by the sterilizing light for an extended duration of time. A shorter length of bulb would mean lesser contact time.

In case you have to decide between two UV sterilizers that offer same flow rate and wattage, go for one with the longer light tube to guarantee more effective sterilization. Yet another variable that decides dwell time is turnover time.

Turnover time is different from turnover rate. Turnover rate is the number of times each hour the water contained in your fish tank passes through the filtration unit. A related yet different term is turnover time, which is the amount of time it takes for the full quantity of water in your aquarium to go through a sterilizer.

Turnover time is calculated using a formula for theoretical purposes:

(9.2 x gallons in tank) / flow rate in gallons per hour = number of hours for one turnover.

This can’t be practically measured as the water that comes out of the sterilizing unit after undergoing sterilization is mixing with water in the fish tank that might not have passed through the sterilizer yet. Which also means that it’s quite unlikely that all the water in your fish tank is sterilized.

Unless, of course, you take all the water out, sterilize it and then return it to the aquarium in one go. Which, usually, is not possible because of the havoc and mess it would create. At least two to four turnovers are a minimum in aquariums, and four to eight in more complex systems.

A high dwell time is desirable as this means higher killing power. It increases the chances of death to all pathogens present in the water as they pass through the sterilizing chamber. Level one sterilizers have a decent contact time, but the highest is seen in Level 2 sterilizers.

4. Size

A somewhat complicated factor to decide your sterilizer is its size. They come in various sizes depending on their water flow rate and UV bulb power. It’s the combination of these two that decides the effective kill dose for the pathogens that need to be eliminated.

The size of your fish tank must match with the flow rate, so that at least a minimum number of turnovers can be achieved. Usually, manufacturers give you the flow rate of their model and the maximum fish tank size their UV sterilizer can be used for. Ideally, you want the sterilizer to be able to turnover your entire aquarium water 1 to 2 times per hour.

To calculate the maximum tank size a particular model will work for, you can use this formula: Effective flow rate multiplied by the UV sterilizer’s wattage and divided by number of tank turnover in an hour. There’s no general rule that applies here, as a lot of other smaller variables also come into play.

If you get a bigger size than required for your tank, it can heat up the water that passes through it. In such cases, you would also need to buy a chiller to maintain the correct temperature inside the tank

5. Ultraviolet Light Transmittance

This basically means how much of the UV light transmits through your tank’s water. One hundred percent transmittance means that it’s completely transmitted and there’s no obstruction in its path. On the other hand, a value of zero percent would suggest that light isn’t going anywhere away from the lap, which isn’t good.

Transmittance is mostly affected by the clarity of water. If the water contains small particles, and is constantly cloudy or turbid, most of the UV light will not pass through it. In such cases of low transmittance, you would need to get a product with high exposure time and a powerful bulb.

6. Style

In theory, all UV sterilizers have the same design: a bulb and a quartz sleeve. A sleeve is present around the light to raise the temperature of the low-pressure bulb. It is usually made of quartz, as it offers one hundred percent transmittance. These kinds are called “dry bulbs”.

If your aquarium is warm enough as it is, you can skip UV sterilizers that come with a quartz sleeve. This is because they limit direct contact between the water and the UV tube. They are also quite hard to clean. These types are sometimes referred to as “wet bulbs”.

In general, there are two types of UV sterilizers: the kind that cannot be submerged, and the kind that can be. Each kind has its own pros and cons. However, usually, a submersible one is considered the safest choice. Because if there is a leak, at least the water won’t drain out and leave a mess on your floor.

Having a non-submersible unit isn’t the best for aesthetics as it’s quite bulky, and many aquarium owners stay away from it just for this reason. But to be honest, it’s not all that unsightly and it actually shouldn’t be powered on all the time so you see really little of it. It’s a good choice for a large fish tank or a pond.

In case of a submersible sterilizer, it can be taken out of the fish tank when not in use. Since they can be shifted around from one tank to another, if you have multiple aquariums, you can invest in only one of these and use them for all your tanks.

Top 13 Best UV Sterilizer for Aquariums 2022

1. AA Aquarium Green Killing Machine Internal UV Sterilizer with Power Head

Key features:

Patented technology
Sealed UV bulb
4 Pieces of sponge
Indicator LEDs
Instruction sheet

Reasons to buy:

Price is low
Keeps water crystal clear
Very easy to set up

Reasons to avoid:

Very big in size
Not pretty to look at
Difficult to clean

The best uv sterilizer aquarium owners should know about is the AA Aquarium Green Killing Machine. It does exactly what it says, and keeps your tank free of cloudiness. It does this by using the UV bulb and its power head to take in algae infected water, and give out sterile clean water.

Cost: Considering that most of the cheap “sterilizers” on the market are actually clarifiers that do nothing about disease causing bacteria, this product is actually an exception. It comes at a very minimal price and is still the best aquarium uv sterilizer on the market currently. Replacement bulbs are quite inexpensive, too.

Size: One small downside is that it’s quite large in size, and looks unsightly when placed inside the aquarium. If you’re particular about aesthetics inside your tank, you might not like the look of it. Of course, you can always hide it behind large plants. The advantage of this being a submersible unit is that it eliminates the risk of leaks.

Design: The patented technology, not seen in any other product, is the sealed UV bulb. It emits light of 254 nm wavelength that is highly efficient. This kind of chambered assembly, where you can’t see the bulb, offers a high dwell time. There’s also an indicator light present that will tell you when the bulb needs changing.

Use: A detailed instruction sheet is provided and it makes setting up the unit all the simpler, especially considering it’s almost ready to use right out of the box. You don’t need any additional tools to set it up. It takes a few days to clear up your water, but you will be amazed at the final results you get for being patient.

It’s perfect for use in both salt water as well as fresh water fish tanks of up to 50 gallons. The product is quite durable, and you can extend bulb life by using the sterilizer only when you think you have an algae bloom problem, or if there’s free floating bacteria. The pump comes with a three years warranty.

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2. Aqua UV 15 watt Advantage 2000+ Hang On UV Sterilizer

Key features:

Transparent quartz cap
Lamp inside housing
Transformer
Instruction manual

Reasons to buy:

Save space
Works very fast
Very easy to install

Reasons to avoid:

Not ideal for coral aquariums
Bulb life is short

If you’re in the market for the best uv sterilizer aquarium, consider getting the Aqua UV 15 watt Advantage 2000+ Hang On UV Sterilizer. It’s a top quality product made in the US, and is perfect for medium and small tanks. To set it up, just connect it to a water pump or the outlet valve of a canister filter.

Cost: The price isn’t the cheapest, but it’s definitely worth it, especially keeping in mind how well it does its job. It can be used both outside as well as inside, in ponds as well as saltwater or freshwater aquariums. The price you pay for this quality product is justified by its durability and efficacy in doing its job.

Design: It is quite slim and designed rather well to ensure max flow rate. It is only available in black and doesn’t weigh too much. It kind of sticks to the back wall of your tank, giving your pets lots of room to move around. The lamp is placed in housing and covered by a transparent cap so you can tell if it’s turned on or not by the glow.

If fits quite easily, but if the lip on your aquarium is bigger than one inch, you might need to get a little creative with the fitting. The unit itself isn’t very long. You also need to ensure that the return nozzle is submerged under water.

Use: The 15 watts UV bulb is very powerful and easily eliminates free flowing bacteria, virus and algae that can make your fish unhappy. It works as both a clarifier as well as a sterilizer. It can take anywhere between one to three days to clean a cloudy tank and make it crystal clear.

If you’re looking for high capacity yet space saving UV sterilizer that does what it’s supposed to and clears up your water really fast, then this might just be the one for you.

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3. SunSun JUP-01 9W UV Sterilizer Submersible Filter Pump

Key features:

Ultraviolet-C lamp
Pre-filter sponge
Built in pump
Mounting suction cups

Reasons to buy:

Simply mounting using suction cup
Fits horizontally and vertically
Suitable for both freshwater and saltwater

Reasons to avoid:

Motor can’t run for a very long time
Not suitable for large aquariums

The SunSun UV sterilizer may be small in size, but it is really powerful. It can be used for all types of fish tanks indoors, fresh water or salt water, as well as for outdoor ponds. It is most effective in tank sizes up to 75 gallons.

Cost: This sterilizer, perhaps because it’s from China, is quite inexpensive. The fact that everything you need to set it up and use it is already provided also makes it a cash saving option. The UV bulb, which will need to be replaced after about a year, costs very little, too.

Design: A glass casing surrounds the UV lamp, separating it from water. This needs to be carefully handled because if water reached inside, it could cause a short circuit and end with death of fish. A built-in pump is present that gives out water at a high flow rate. This needs to be watched carefully, especially if you have small fish.

It has two suction cups that you can use to mount the equipment either vertically or horizontally. These cups sit on glass pretty tightly, and it might be a little struggle taking them off once fixed. This is a hang-on type, and not the in-line type. Filter sponge is present to clear debris before water goes near the light source.

Use: The package includes an instruction manual. Most of the times, it is in English that is poorly translated from Chinese and is thus, not very clear. Some, however, do seem to come in proper English with detailed how-to. In any case, the set-up is quite easy and does not require any additional tubing or hardware.

This sterilizer will definitely help you get rid of all the green water causing algae, within one to three days. However, since it has a high flow rate, its dwell time isn’t too much. Its bulb power is not very high either. All this means it might not be able to kill all disease-causing bacteria and viruses like you would want it to. Its high flow rate also means it’s not perfect for reef tanks with fish.

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4. Coralife Turbo-Twist UV Sterilizers

Key features:

Unique twist-flow design
Mount bracket
Indicator light
Instruction manual

Reasons to buy:

Keeps water crystal clear
Works in both freshwater and saltwater fish tanks
Very easy to set up
LED light indicates when it’s time to change bulb

Reasons to avoid:

Expensive
Doesn’t include a powerhead
Bulb fits loosely in the socket

If you’re looking for the best uv sterilizer for aquarium or fish tank keepers can get for outdoor or indoor use, consider investing in the Coralife Turbo-Twist UV Sterilizer. It’s perfect for large or mid size tanks up to 250 gallons in size, and works in both fresh water as well as salt water conditions.

Cost: The cost is a little on the expensive side. However, if you’re battling cloudy algae infested water, this is one of the most effective UV clarifiers you can get. The design and features justify its high price. Additions like an indicator LED light that tells you when to change the bulb are not seen on most low cost products.

Design: The product is engineered using a unique twist-flow concept. This way, it increases the exposure time of water to the powerful UVC rays, thus resulting in more destruction of harmful substances in water. The bulb is surrounded by a quartz sleeve to increase transmission and intensity, and also so that water doesn’t touch the bulb.

Use: It’s quite easy to set up. Simply connect it to the filter or pump’s filtration end that has a flow rate in the range of 300 to 900 GPH. Then, attach it using the mounting brackets provided. You can either hang it on the side of your fish tank, or use certain sections of it for in-line use. The bulb emits light of wavelength 253.7 nm to effectively kill all single celled algae living in the water.

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5. Emperor Aquatics Smart 25 Watt UV Sterilizer

Key features:

Remote power supply
UV lamp with quartz sleeve
Transparent viewing ports
Ultraviolet resistant plastic body
Instruction sheet

Reasons to buy:

Easy to start using
Clever engineering and design
Safe
Easy to change bulb

Reasons to avoid:

Pump is not included
Expensive

If you only want the best of the best for your aquarium, consider investing in the Emperor Aquatics Smart 25-Watt UV Sterilizer. This UV sterilizer is perfect for large tanks. It comes with a very efficient and powerful lamp, and is easily the ultimate option for you. What’s more, it’s suitable for all types of aquariums – saltwater or freshwater.

Cost: True, the cost might leave a small hole in your wallet. But the fact that it doesn’t come cheap just means that it’s that much loaded with the ability to wipe out the existence of all algae and microorganisms that cause disease that might dare to infiltrate your water.

Design: The vessel is made of UV resistant plastic. It doesn’t corrode easily, which is important, considering how close it is to water all the time. The product is designed in such a way that the UV lamp is easy to remove when its time to change. Additionally, it’s covered by a quartz sleeve that helps increase transmission.

Cleaning is quite easy, too, as the power unit of the product can be removed. This unit is also positioned away from the parts that come in contact with water, promoting overall safety. Thus, it’s all watertight and safe to use indoors or outdoors.

Use: Learning to use it is quite easy. However, a pump should be bought and installed separately. Ensure that it provides a minimum flow rating of 472 gallons per hour and maximum 788 gph for algae and between 79 and 131 gph for protozoa. You can see if the bulb is on using the transparent viewing ports present on both sides.

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6. AquaUltraviolet Advantage 2000+ Inline 3/4″ Barb – 15 Watt Aquarium UV Sterilizer

Key features:

Instruction sheet
In-line type

Reasons to buy:

Very easy to set up
Best suited for small fish tanks and ponds
Lightweight

Reasons to avoid:

No powerhead

If you’re looking for the best uv sterilizer for reef tank, your search ends here. The Aqua Ultraviolet Advantage 2000+ Inline aquarium UV Sterilizer is just what you need for your small or moderate sized aquarium or pond. It’s quite affordable as well as reliable.

Design: If you’re not a fan of the hang-on method, you will like this product. It is an in-line type that needs to be connected to your fish tank’s powerhead, water pump or the return line of your canister filter. It can take a flow rate of up to 240 gallons per hour, which needs to be controlled using your filter system.

It is designed with a diameter wide enough (3 inches) to make sure that all the water that goes through the sterilizing chamber is treated with light from the UV source. It is engineered in such a way that it provides maximum dwell time and exposure to destroy weight wise, it’s not heavy at all. But you don’t have to worry about that comprising with durability, because it’s made with top-quality strong PVC plastic.

Use: Installing is pretty easy because of the output and input being barb style, and once you know how an in-line setup is to be done. Do note that no tubing or mounting brackets or suction cups are provided. The sterilizer works best when used in fresh water tanks of capacity up to 75 gallons. For these tank sizes, an in-line sterilizer remains a better option than the hang on types.

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7. Sun 13W UV Sterilizer Adjustable Pump Filter 150 Gal Aquarium Fish Tank

Key features:

Ultraviolet-C lamp
UV ballast
Built in pump
Adjustable flow valve
Mounting brackets suction cups

Reasons to buy:

Good for both freshwater and saltwater tanks
Flow rate can be adjusted
Built-in pump

Reasons to avoid:

Body doesn’t look very durable

Do you have a medium or large sized fish tank that is always so cloudy and green that you can barely see the fish inside? Then you will really like what the Sun 13W UV Sterilizer can do for you. It’s very powerful and takes care of your problem with its magic, giving you crystal clear water within a week.

Cost: It is made in China, and like most products that come from there, it’s cheap and easily affordable. For the work that it does keeping your fish healthy and happy, you don’t have to think much to get it. It’s a small investment to make to reap benefits for months to come.

Design: The best part of its engineering is the adjustable flow nozzle in the built-in pump. If you’re using it in a small aquarium, you set it on the lowest for best results. It works best in aquariums with a capacity less than 75 gallons. It looks quite neat after set up, too, as it can be kept either horizontally or vertically.

Use: It’s quite easy to set up and doesn’t need any additional pump or tubes to do its work. It comes with a 13 watt light which is quite powerful to take out all floating algae from your fish tank or pond. All this makes it one of the best uv sterilizer freshwater aquarium owners can get.

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8. Aquatop PF15-UV Hang-On Filter with UV Sterilization

Key features:

Self-adjusting surface skimmer
Independent power switch
Replaceable filter pad

Reasons to buy:

Perfect for small aquariums
Keeps water crystal clear
Very easy to set up
Combination of filter and sterilizer
Flow rate can be adjusted
Works in both fresh water as well as salt water aquariums

Reasons to avoid:

Takes a long time to clean
Filter isn’t the best
Not good for medium or large sized tanks or ponds

If you have a small tank and want to keep algae away or already have cloudy water, consider getting the Aquatop PF15-UV Hang-On Filter with UV Sterilization. Like its name says, it’s a combination of both filter and UV sterilizer in one device – both of which are very important to maintain a clean tank with healthy fish.

Cost: The product won’t set you back too much, and is reasonably priced. This is even considering that it is a two in one – both filter and sterilizer in one unit.

Design: Before buying, you need to ensure that the rim of your fish tank does not exceed 0.75 inches, or else your Aquatop PF15-UV will not fit. It does not require any additional plumbing, and can be easily and quickly installed. It hangs on the back and does its job, without taking up space inside your tank.

Use: A unique feature in this sterilizer is that it is also capable of both mechanical as well as chemical filtration, although they are not the best. However, if you have surface swimmers or small fish, you might not want to use this segment. You also want to keep the flow rate at minimum, which is possible using the adjustable pump.

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9. Grech CBG-800 5W UV Sterilizer Hang-On Back Filter, 20-50 Gallon/211 GPH

Key features:

Surface skimmer
Adjustable filter flow
Bio media and active carbon filtration
Hangs on the back
Instruction sheet

Reasons to buy:

Price is low
Keeps water crystal clear
Very easy to install
Works in both fresh water as well as salt water aquariums

Reasons to avoid:

The carbon filter provided isn’t the best
The filter’s media basket is somewhat tight

One of the best uv sterilizer for aquarium of small capacities should know about is the Grech CBG-800 5W UV Sterilizer that has a “hang on back” design. If your fish aren’t algae feeders, it can help you deal with the problem of algae bloom if it ever arises.

It also comes with a filter part and activated carbon media and bio media are included in the package. This means that, apart from clarification and sterilization, you also get biochemical and mechanical filtration all in one.

Cost: Considering the many features it offers, the price is actually pretty low. Like, for example, the presence of a surface skimmer which keeps the top layer of water clear so that gas exchange between water and air can occur easily.

Design: The “hang on back” style makes it quite convenient and a rather space saving option. It is easy to set up, and you don’t need any additional tubing or tools to do it. The size, despite being small, is highly efficient in getting rid of floating parasites.

Use: It works silently and efficiently, both as a filter and as a UV sterilizer. The filter allows you to adjust the flow rate of water through it, depending on the needs of your tank. When not required, the UV sterilizer has its own switch, so it can be turned off. This helps increase bulb life and save energy.

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10. AA Aquarium Green Killing Machine 3 Watt | Internal UV Sterilizer System with Power Head | Kills Algae

Bacteria, and Waterborne Pathogens | Easy, Submersible Installation

Key features:

Patented technology
Sealed UV bulb
Sponge included
Powerhead
Indicator LEDs
Instruction sheet

Reasons to buy:

Price is low
Cleans up aquarium within ten hours
Very effective in keeping water crystal clear
Very easy to set up by clipping on
Fully submersible
Doesn’t require much maintenance

Reasons to avoid:

Bulb might stop working in a few months
Filter makes noises after a few days of use
Certain units seem to burn out quickly
Hard to adjust flow

It does exactly what it claims to, and keeps your tank free of cloudiness. It does this by using the UV bulb and its powerhead to take in algae infected cloudy water and give out sterile crystal clean water.

Cost: Considering that most of cheap “sterilizers” on the market are actually clarifiers that do nothing about disease-causing bacteria, this product is actually an exception. It comes at a very minimal price and is still the best aquarium uv sterilizer on the market currently. Replacement bulbs are quite inexpensive, too.

Design: If you’re particular about aesthetics inside your tank, you might not like the look of it. Of course, you can always hide it behind large plants. There are suction cups present for easy mounting. The zigzag design for flow maximizes exposure to UV. One small downside is that sometimes it seems to make a lot of noise.

The advantage of this being a fully submersible unit is that it eliminates the risk of leaks. When a UV sterilizer is of the submersible types, it’s important to ensure that it is watertight so that it doesn’t give your fish electric shocks.

The patented technology, not seen in any other product, is the sealed UV bulb. It emits light of 254 nm wavelength that is highly efficient. This kind of chambered assembly, where you can’t see the bulb, offers a high dwell time. There’s also an indicator light present that will tell you when the bulb needs changing.

Use: A detailed instruction sheet is provided and it makes setting up the unit all the simpler, especially considering it’s almost ready to use right out of the box. Like all other AA Aquarium products, it can be ready to go in less than five minutes without the use of any tools.

It clears up water really fast, sometimes even working its magic overnight. In any case, you will be amazed at the final results you get for being patient. It can take up to 200 L of water every hour. The sponges present on the filter also help clearing out tank debris.

It’s perfect for use in both salt water as well as fresh water fish tanks of up to 21 gallons (80 liters). The product is quite durable, and you can extend bulb life by using the sterilizer only when you think you have an algae bloom problem, or if there’s free floating bacteria. The pump comes with a three years warranty.

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11. Jebao 36W Aquarium Koi Fish Pond UV Light Sterilizer

Key features:

In-line
Not submersible
Multiple fittings
Instruction sheet

Reasons to buy:

Cleans up water quickly
Easy to mount
Can be mounted both vertically as well as horizontally
Comes with a long power cord
Works in both fresh water as well as salt water aquariums

Reasons to avoid:

Clips for mounting seem flimsy
Bulb isn’t very durable
Cannot handle high water pressures
Needs regular maintenance
Can’t be submerged

Is your koi pod suffering from algae build up? Is the water in your freshwater or saltwater aquarium not crystal clear anymore? Fix these problems with one product: the Jebao 36W Aquarium Koi Fish Pond UV Light Sterilizer. It kills all single-celled organisms, be it bacteria, virus or protozoa using its powerful UV bulb.

Cost: The product is made in China, and is thus available at a really cheap price. However, don’t mistake its cheap price for a lack of efficiency. In fact, it’s just as capable as one of the higher-end models in altering the genetic material of microorganisms that can harm your fish.

Design: The Jeboa UV Light Sterilizer is one among the best uv sterilizer aquarium keepers should invest in mainly because of how well it works. It can take water with a flow rate of up to 4400 gallons per hour. The 36 watt UV bulb is surrounded by a quartz sleeve, which should regularly be checked for cracks to prevent mishaps.

The bulb should be changed once every six to twelve months, depending on how often you use it. The sterilizer is not submersible, and you need to set it up externally creatively enough to hide its bulk from running the aesthetic of your pond or aquarium.

Use: A number of additional fitting options are provided in the package so that the sterilizer can be fitted to all sizes of tank or pond. Since it works only as a sterilizer and not a filter, you have to take care of debris using other means, like setting up a separate filtration unit. With this in place, it can take about 5 days to turn cloudy water cleaner.

Overall, the product is quite durable and lightweight. It’s versatility and efficiency are excellent. Its design with double tube conical shaped connectors helps increase the flow of water through it, which can be monitored through the clear glass. It’s the perfect choice for more than just a koi pond.

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12. Odyssea CFS 700 Aquarium Canister Filter UV Bulb 9 Watt 125G

Key features:

Filter sponges and filter pad
9W UV bulb
Instruction sheet

Reasons to buy:

Price is low
Keeps water crystal clear
Very easy to set up
Works as both filter and sterilizer
No noise production
Works in both fresh water, coral reef as well as salt water aquariums

Reasons to avoid:

Hose is short
Air can get trapped in filter

The best uv sterilizer freshwater aquarium owners should know about is the Odyssea CFS 700. It also works excellently in coral reefs and salt water fish tanks. It has a ridiculously high pumping capacity of 700 gallons per hour, and is very efficient as a sterilizer.

Design: It has a three layered design. On the base is the powerful pump. It provides the option to adjust flow as per the requirements of your tank. In the middle, there’s a filter of XL capacity. This means that there is a bunch of filters inside that can be removed and cleaned, as and when necessary. So you don’t have to worry about getting filter media anymore.

This bulb helps you eliminate disease causing bacteria and virus from your tank and removes algae as well, giving your fish a crystal clean environment.

Use: Setting up the product is very easy if you follow the directions that come in the package. You don’t need to get any hardware or plumbing yourself to install. It works very quietly, and you won’t even realize it’s running.

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13. Polar Aurora Free Media 4-Stage External Canister Filter with 9-Watt UV Sterilizer, 525 GPH with Media

Key features:

Four filter media trays
Built-in pump
9 Watt UV bulb
Instruction sheet

Reasons to buy:

Price is low
Keeps water crystal clear
Very easy to set up
Easy to clean
Works as both filter and sterilizer
No noise production
Works in both fresh water as well as salt water aquariums

Reasons to avoid:

The instruction manual is not very helpful
Priming is a little difficult

If you have a big tank and want to get something that is both a filter as well as sterilizer, consider getting the Polar Aurora Free Media 4-Stage External Canister Filter with 9 Watt UV Sterilizer. It works best in saltwater and freshwater tanks with a capacity of up to 200 gallons capacity.

Design: The filter has 4 baskets, each about 10 cm in diameter and lined with cotton. To start you off, filter media is also provided. The pump built-in is 55 watt and self-primps, which means you don’t need to manually siphon it. If required, you can also adjust the flow using the adjustable spray bar.

A 9 watt bulb is the sterilizing part of this product. This bulb helps you eliminate disease-causing bacteria and virus from your tank and removes algae as well, giving your fish a crystal clean environment.

Use: Watching a few videos might be required to help you set it up, as the manual provided isn’t very helpful. Make sure you don’t make them extra tight, or else it might break. Once set up, it lasts for a long time, all the while running quietly in the background and not making you aware of its existence.

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Best UV Sterilizer for Aquarium – What’s Your Pick?

Getting a UV sterilizer for your tank is a very good idea. It does, however, require your attention to ensure that it is working like it’s supposed to. The bulb needs to be changed once every 6 to 12 months, depending on its full power life.

Make sure you know the specifics of your tank before you start sorting out through the many UV sterilizers on the market. Every unit on the market works a little differently, and some are cheap clarifiers trying to pass off as sterilizers.

So, you want to find out everything you can about your choices and make an informed purchase that will remove toxins from water and keep your pets healthy and happy. By doing your research first and then buying next, you save yourself a lot of money in the long run.