Is a UV Sterilizer a worthwhile purchase?

[dynagirl]

I have looked at a few but haven't bought yet...Worthwhile? Any good makes for a 54 gal tank?
Thanks!

 

[27mtaylor]

I bought one when I lost all my fish due to Ich. It made me feel more secure knowing that my fish would be better protected when I restocked my tank. It has now been broken for about 2 years and I haven't had the first ich out break. In my opinion I would just quarentine any new fish you might want to add. The UV sterolizer has to have very slow water flow and if it is too fast, it won't help. It will also kill a lot of good bacteria and stuff that passes by it. Keep in mind that it will only kill ich in the free floating form, and that is onlyif it passes by the light at the right speed. Hope this helps.

 

[ophiura]

IMO, no it is not a worthwhile purchase. The water must go through VERY slowly to be effective. I personally think that if you are not keeping a good stable properly stocked tank, you will still have problems...maybe not from ick but from something else. If you keep a properly stocked tank with good water quality, and QT your fish, then I think you will be OK regardless of having a UV or not. I think it is money much better spent on something else (eg an RO unit for water if you do not have one, skimmer, etc).