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Hi all!
I have a horrible algae problem in my 46 gallon FW tank. I had thought about getting a UV sterilizer to help (an 8 watt Aqua UV sterilizer with the wiper similar to this: http://www.thatpetplace.com/Products/KW/Aqua%2cUV%2csterilizer/Class//T1/F62AX+0032+0001/EDP/18136/Itemdy00.aspx ) but haven't been able to find anything about installation. I am SO not a DIY person, and hope that won't keep me from using one. Are these a PITA to install? I have a whisper 60 on this tank if that helps. Any advice would be greatly appreciated! TIA!!!

BTW, I did read the post 'all you want to know about UV sterilizers', I'm just looking for more detailed information on installation.

Hi,
Personally, I think you are going the wrong way to resolve
your algae problem. The UV system would resolve a green
water problem and if you did nothing else to the tank,
it would pretty much disappear and you would be happy.
But then, green water is just that. Floating algae
particles that would be fed through the UV system and
killed. All the other forms of algae don't grow that way.
Pieces of hair algae would break off and be carried by
the tank currents to be hung up on other plants and grow.
Sure the UV would kill the spores, but I don't think it
would clean out your tank.

There are several sites devoted to algae, its types,
causes, and methods of control. Here are some of them
if you have not had the opportunity to read them:

http://www.otocinclus.com/articles/algae.html

http://www.aquariaplants.com/alqaeproblems.htm

http://www.plantgeek.net/article_viewer.php?id=9

http://www.freshwateraquariumplants.com/freshwateraquariumalgae.html

There are others, but essentially, it all boils down to
limiting the nutrients, or out competing the algae for
them.

Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

Hi Frank,
Thanks for the reply! Okay, after seeing those pics, I don't have green water! Thank God since it looks like it would be an awful thing to have to handle. What I have is brown algae. And after reading your links, I remember a guy I had talked to about it a few weeks ago said my lights may be causing/contributing to it. My tank has been set up about 6 months, so it's time to change them anyway. I will do a thorough brushing (thank God it comes off easy) and WC and then change the bulbs! Thank you SOOO much!

Hi,
The brown "Algae" is probably just an outbreak of diatoms.
A few Ottos (small catfish) would really relish that feast.
The diatoms thrive on silica, and that is abundant in a
new tank with new gravel. Water changes, and sufficiant
light will eliminate them.

Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

Thanks Frank!!

I did a good WC, added an airstone, changed the bulbs, and am reducing the time the lights are on. With regular maitenance, that should help. I had thought about getting an otto, or one or a few of the smaller plecs, but since all the stuff's off, I decided not to right now. I don't want it to die after all. If it continues to be a problem, I will reconsider. Thanks so much!!

Amber