I would like to add a UV sterilizer to my 50 gallon aquarium, mainly to control bacteria and algae. I haven't bought anything yet, but I'm leaning toward a Coralife Turbo-Twist. I done a bit of research (including in the forum here), but I'm still confused and lost on some points.

What wattage do I really need for a 50 gallon? Supposedly the smallest Turbo-Twist, the 9 watt, is good for up to 125 gallons. My boyfriend is extremely skeptical about manufacturers' specs (he says they're always much too optimistic), and says I should buy the next one up, the 18 watt. I think that even if 125 gallons is somewhat optimistic, that's still about twice as much as I need, right? Wouldn't the 18 watt be overkill, or is bigger better (in terms of performance)? Or should I go with a different brand that is somewhere in between?

And then there's the water pump. A slower gph is needed to kill parasites, while faster kills algae and bacteria, yes? So less is more in this case? What's the slowest I would want to go -- 50 gph (one complete cycle of tank per hour)? All the water pumps I've seen are much stronger than that. How can you control the flow rate if there is no control on the pump? How do you know if you're getting the proper flow rate? What's your favorite brand/model?

I may decide down the road to replace my HOB filters with a canister-type filter, so it would be *nice* if the water pump I buy could be used for that as well, but it's not necessary. I've read that at least a small filter of some sort should be placed inline before the UV sterilizer anyway, to prevent it from getting icky. Any advice on this topic?

It's just all so confusing!

No takers? Okay, let me simplify a little, then. I do tend to ramble on...

1. How well should the 9W Coralife Turbo-Twist work on my 50 gallon? Would I notice a huge difference with an 18W or would it not be worth it?

2. What brand/model of water pump do you recommend to go with it?

Thanks in advance. I'm not asking you guys to do my research for me, I was just hoping someone would have already had similar experience with a similar setup. I've done my reading, I'm just having trouble putting it all together and making decisions. It's a big investment, after all, and I don't want to mess it up!

Hey Starla, just coming on to ask simillar questions and saw your thread.
Toothy advised me to get a UV to clear up my tank so I went out and got the only one in the LFS by fishRfun; 200L /hr powerhead with a small sponge filter, immersible in the tank. Having just read his pinned thread I'm now unsure if this is any good.
I'm in the UK and don't know which other models are available here? How about you?
Also,are you supposed to run them constantly or for limited periods - mine has no instruction booklet!

Hey Pixiefish, I'm in the US and I don't know for sure, but I'd guess the models available here and over there are different -- different electrical requirements and such. I've never heard of the "fishRfun" brand. I can't even find any UV sterilizers (and very few water pumps) in pet stores around here, and even if they did stock them, I personally wouldn't rely on the store employees for advice.

As far as I know, UV sterilizers are meant to be run continuously, but now I'm wondering if running them for, say, half the day (after it's been running a while and the water's already clear and clean) would be sufficient for maintenance? Maybe save electricity and extend the life of the bulb? I dunno. Hopefully someone will come along soon who can help us.

I've decided to go with the 18W. While the 9W may be adequate, I figure it's probably better to be safe than sorry.

But I still need a pump. I'm looking at Aquarium Systems' Mini-Jet 606. It's small, but it has an adjustable flow rate between 84 and 160 gph, and I figure I won't need more than that. All the other pumps I've seen do WAY too much. Has anyone had any experience with this pump? Or can anyone point me at something better? I'm currently filling up my shopping cart at drsfostersmith.com, so if there's a good one there that I'm overlooking, please let me know.

I'd like to place my order ASAP so I can get this going. I'd love some input! Pretty please... ?

I can't help ya, since I was in the same boat a few weeks ago. But I ended up getting the 25 watt for my 55 gallon, and it works beautifully. It's an all in one hang on with an internal pump. From the goldfish connection. I decided that by the time I bought everything separately, it would cost around the same as the all in one contraptions.

Just a note to Pixiefish the brand that i have on my tank for the UV is the TMC Vectron V2 and it works brilliantly, quite large though so can be a pain if you don't have someone to 'hide' it!! I wasnt sure which one to get so got the larger size and it works off my Tetra Tec 1200 external.

Thanks Hun. I only just found this reply.
Anyways, Toothy gave me the OK for my 'fishRfun' so I've put it in.
Mind you, fishRfun sounds a bit on the Micky- Mouse side, doesn't it? Like ToysRUs or something.
Hope it's going to do the job.

If its doing its job then i wouldnt mind! I know fish are fun maek a number of things now, including tanks. I suppose some of their things are aimed at younger people to get them interested.
Have you noticed any change in your tank?