Can UV Sterilizers have negative effects?
Yes. UV can alter the structure of some dissolved chemical compounds. When using any drug or chemical medication check the directions for the drug or chemical to see if you should turn off your UV when using the drug or medication. Many aquarists only use the UV at night. There are many free floating beneficial planktonic animals in the water that come out at night that can be killed by a uv sterilizer. Because of this many aquarists only run their uv during the day. You can put it on the same timer as your lighting system. Maintenance UV sterilizer bulbs with four pins at one end should be replaced once a year. Lamps with two pins at each end should be replaced every six months. They will lose intensity over time and after one year the loss in intensity is likely to be critical. Depending on how clean the water is going into the UV sterilizer, you may need to clean your UV sterilizer quartz sleeve. If the UV light from the bulb can’t penetrate the sleeve, then it won’t reach the water
