UV Sterilizers

[prankster705]

As I said in the title i am wondering what are they and how could I build one?
PS: This is my first message and I dont no if it was said before
PPS: sorry about my bad english because I am from Slovenia.

 

[glolite]

Ultra violet sterilisers basically sterilise water, as their name suggests. They can get rid of algae blooms and reduce harmful bacteria in water. I don't know of any way to make one yourself I'm afraid.

 

[ncjharris]

I think that they can be built do it yourself style.

On the basic sence all you would need is a UV light and a chamber where the water passes through it.

However, there is more to it than that, and they can be quite big. In theory they are only really needed for large scale and marine tanks. Water changes takes care of what they do.

 

[andywg]

UV filters come in two types: aquarium and pond

Aquarium filters have a smaller void space (gap between the water and the tube) and are used for getting rid of life that passes through the filter tube).

Pond filters have a larger void space and will not get rid of water bourne pathogens but will help get rid of algae.

Getting a DIY UV setup to work well is very difficult you have to match the tube strength and desired job to the void space and then you have to get the flow rate correct. Too little and the tube will overheat and die. Too m uch flow and the tube will not have enough time on the water to be effective.

 

[Lateral Line]

I doubt a UV could be built for less then the price of a commercial unit. They are, as has been suggested, largely un-necessary in freshwater aquariums anyway.