My paycheck isnt big and I've seen UV sterilizers go up to 300$. I was wondering are there any cheaper ones that works well and that can cost around 100$-150$ or even less?

How large a tank? What are you wanting the UV to do?

The Current USA 15 watt from a place like Big Al's or even Goldfish Connection should run you $125 or less. I use these units on both my GF and saltwater tanks, and they do the job.... Good, basic, solid units, IMO.

Dave

Do Goldfish Connection sip outside the US? I'm from Canada.

As for my tank, it's a 63 liters (16.7 US gallons approx.) sterilite plastic container. I wanted to get a UV so it can kill mostly all the bad bacteria/parasites that could pop into my tank, though I have no problem keeping the water clean and clear.

I do not know if Goldfish connections ships to Canada or not, sorry. For what you are looking for, though even an 8-watt UV should work well. You should be able to find the Current USA or the Coralife brand (my personal preference is the Current, I've used both, and both work well) for around $100 at some of the online places. Big Al's Online does have a Canadian outlet, and they also sell these units for a decent price.

IN $CDN, the 8-watter looks to be around $179 here:

http://www.bigalsonline.ca/

One more questions, are those easy to install? ^^; How does it go?

Yes, it's easy. You have to use teflon tape on the pipe fittings, but that is also easy once you get the hang of it.

Two ways to install are quite easy and most common:

You can feed it directly with it's own powerhead. In this case, you'll have more "stuff" in your tank, but it is all self-contained and can be easily moved if you need to. I'd get a MaxiJet 600 or 900 for that size UV. The UV hangs on the back of your tank.

You can run the output from your cannister filter into the UV input, and have the output of the UV dump into your tank. You can either hang it on the back, or lay it down horizontally in your stan and run more tubing to the return in this case.

Took me about 30 mins to get my first one running - they all come with decent instructions.

Dave

Erm... sadly I don't have a canister filter... so I guess the first option would be best for me right? All I have are 2 aqua clear 50 gallons that hangs on the side of my tank. So what brand I should get that has a powerhead?

The Current USA comes with a fitting for a powerhead - you will have to buy it separately. Rick at goldfishconnection.com ships his with a powerhead, and already plumbed (which is why they cost a bit more, I suspect), but that does not seem to be an option for Canada. So just order a MaxiJet 600 when you order the UV and you should be OK. Powerhead "plugs" into this special fitting with a simple push.

Dave

Wow thanks! So where can I order it online? =)

http://www.bigalsonline.ca/

Should have everything you need...

I imagine there are others, I've found Big Al's to be prompt and fairly priced, personally.


Dave

I can't find the Maxi Jet 600 in his webpage. =(

They are here

Big Als Canada


If you go with the 8-watt UV that is what I'd use; I'd use a 900 if you go with the 15-watt.

Dave

If you are in the vancouver area? www.jlaquatics.com has some pretty cheap stuff, I pick up their stuff but I know they ship too. A small UV sterilizer is like $110. I bought a coralife turbo twist 18w for like $140 last year (for my 75 gallon). You can hook it up to a power head or canister filter.