UV sterilizer

[Joeejojo]

I have seen a few posts stating that you dont need a UV sterilizer on your tank, but I already have one from another tank. Would it be bad to put it onto the tank or would it be just another added protection for my discus? Also if I place it on my tank would I run it just something like a few hous a week?

[Cosmo]

There are numerous opposing opinions on this one. There is nothing bad about having a UV on the tank. I have them on all my tanks as an extra layer of protection.

Some say running them more than a few hours a day weakens the fishe's immune system by preventing it from being exposed to anything nasty (bacteria, parasites). Personally, I'd prefer my fish are never exposed to these things and run my UV's 20 hours a day, off only twice per day for feeding times since they're pushed off a mechanical filter.

No rock solid answer on the time per day... one of those topics that can go around and around without univeral agreement. Can't hurt to have one on the tank though, especially if you already own it. Just match the pump to the unit to get the max kill ratio.

Jim