UV Sterilizer

Question
THanks for your help on the brine shrimp. My tetras are eating them now. But I have another question, one on UV Sterilizers.

My friend gave me his because he was upgrading. How can I tell if the one he gave me works? My water was fairly clean before I put it in, so I can't see the difference. The UV bulb within the cansiter does light up (i can see the glow of the light when all the other lights are turned off)

Any way to tell if it's actually doing it's job?

-Thanks as always,
Estin

Answer
Hi Estin;

A free UV sterilizer! Very cool! *\High Five/*

If it's lighting, that's good but it may not be very effective if it's too old. UV sterilizer bulbs need to be replaced after they have been used for a total of a year's time. Some hobbyists put them on timers so they aren't on constantly so calculate accordingly if your friend used one. (For instance, if it was on only 12 hours every day it's good for two years.) If you already know how long it was used or your friend knows it was at least 12 months of actual usage time, replace the bulb. You may be able to find bulbs for it at your local fish store, or look up the manufacturer online and see if they have replacement bulbs, as well as a manual you can download too. You'll know more about it that way too.

At Your Service;
Chris Robbins