UV Filters

A UV filter is a device that exposes water flow to ultra-violet light.  UV light, in the proper intensity, will kill microorganisms like bacteria, viruses, algae, and parasites present in water.  For aquariums, there are generally two types of UV filters:

  • Those with an integrated pump or requiring a dedicated pump to push water through the UV filter
  • Those that attach to the output of a canister filter.

UV filters can be quite effective at:

  • Eliminating “Green Water” algae
  • Killing off internal and external parasites, including Ich.
  • Preventing  bacterial infections, particularly in tanks that are not kept clean.

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3 Trackbacks \ Pings »

  1. April 18, 2010 @ 9:16 am

    [...] a UV filter is also a very good way of eliminating opportunistic microorganisms in the [...]

  2. July 30, 2010 @ 11:31 pm

    [...] My next trick is using a UV light in the filter/pump box.   UV filters kill microbes, including algae, parasites, bacteria and viruses.  UV lights will often get rid of [...]