There are numerous accessories for aquariums, but the UV lamp for aquariums it is one of the most useful. And it can help us to maintain the quality of the water so that the fish have the ideal conditions to be able to develop. It is not an accessory that is still widely used, since they are quite new on the market. Many manufacturers of aquarium filters have integrated it into their filters, although it is not clear if it is the best option, because professionals do not agree with its continued use or only for a few hours. However, among pond filters, it is rare to find a filter without a built-in UV lamp.
In this article we are going to tell you which are the best UV lamps for aquariums, how it works and what you should take into account.
The best UV lamps for aquarium
What is a UV lamp for in the aquarium
Aquarium UV lamps are very useful for removing suspended algae. They can prevent and treat some typical diseases of fresh and saltwater aquariums, such as white spots.
Basically, UV light "kills" various bacteria, viruses, or algae cells. It can kill any type of bacteria, even nitrifying bacteria which is very useful for the aquarium cleaning process.
Advantages of having a UV lamp in the aquarium
Having an aquarium UV lamp can be quite helpful. These are the different advantages it has:
- Quickly and effectively reduces bacteria and algae in aquarium water.
- It can also remove cloudiness from water caused by algae and bacteria.
- The internal reflector guarantees particularly effective disinfection.
- You will get excellent results with less energy consumption.
- This is a system that is twice as effective as traditional sterilizers.
- It will not affect the power of your aquarium filter.
- If you keep fingerlings, It will greatly reduce the risk of infection.
- Also, it will not harm the beneficial bacteria colonies on the filter.
- Installation is very convenient and there is an automatic shutdown switch when the UV-C lamp is replaced.
How do they work
The ultraviolet lamp produces ultraviolet radiation or UV radiation. One of the applications of UV light is sterilization (UV lamps used in aquariums). At certain wavelengths, will destroy the DNA of microorganisms (such as bacteria or viruses) present in the aquarium water without leaving any type of residue and preventing them from reproducing.
UV lamps for aquariums are usually insulated, so only the water will be affected by their radiation. It is important to remember that we should not look directly at the light because it can affect us.
How many hours does the aquarium UV lamp have to be on?
This is an open debate and there is no single standard. Professionals, hobbyists, and manufacturers disagree on how long aquarium UV lamps should work. Although some people think that letting it run for 3 to 4 hours a day is enough, others think that it needs to run all day without any problems and it will not affect the balance of the aquarium.
When we have an algae problem in the aquarium, it is normal for the light works 24 hours a day as it can help us eliminate the problem. The number of days it should work depends on the degree of intrusion. There are people who think that it cannot be left running 24 hours a day. There are many amateurs who think that bubbles can be created in the aquarium and that with any minimal infection it can lead to a collapse of the fish tank.
Is it necessary to change the bulb of an aquarium UV lamp?
Each bulb has a specific useful life, expressed in hours of use. Manufacturers usually indicate the life of the bulb so that we can understand its life. If the half-life of a light bulb It is 1.000 hours, if we connect it for 3 hours a day, it can last about 333 days.
In the case of UV bulbs, they lose effectiveness as they are used, so it is recommended to replace them before the end of their useful life, even if they are not burned out.
Can a UV lamp be used in a planted aquarium?
They still do not agree on this consensus. There are some amateurs who claim that the lamp can sterilize the compost that is used for plants. Many fertilizers are made up of chelates and iron and can be sterilized by UV radiation. On the other hand, there are those who think that in order to avoid the proliferation of algae it is much better to have this lamp.
Can a UV lamp be used in a marine aquarium?
Its operation stop depends entirely on a type of water that is in the aquarium. It can be used in saltwater aquariums and freshwater aquariums. Its effectiveness is the same. Some think that it is a completely unnecessary device since with the quarantine protocols to introduce fish into the aquarium it is more than enough. However, a UV lamp can guarantee the destruction of possible bacteria that could attack your fish.
Where to buy a cheaper aquarium UV lamp
- Amazon: As we know, Amazon has one of the best aquarium accessories purchase portals at a great price. They also have a high quality and the possibility of knowing the opinion of other users who have made a previous purchase of the same product.
- Kiwooko: This is the quintessential pet store. Not only does it have a virtual store, but you can also have a physical store. Although the physical store prices may be somewhat higher, you can get the opinion of the professionals who work face to face.
- zooplus: Zooplus does not have as much variety of accessories for aquariums, so they may not be the best places to look for the UV lamp for aquariums.
As you can see, this is an accessory that is quite useful but still generates controversy among professionals and aquarists. I hope that with this information you can learn more about UV lamps for aquariums and their characteristics.