Help me please

I bought a 9watt submersible uv sterilizer, to clean up the cloudiness in my tank. This tank has only been running for about a month and a half. and my ammonia and nitates are still high.. i am wondering if the sterilizer is keeping it from doing its full cycle. I have read that it also kills benificial bacteria that I need... and i have also heard that it just kills free floating. I dont know what is the truth. Someone help me!

 

You should not need a sterilizer right now. I run mine 24/7 after I had a bad Hair algae outbreak at 8 mo. I would not run it until your cycle is done and your tank is well established. They are to kill parasites and algae spores. Yes they only kill what goes through them. There are alot of different opinions on them here. I personally swear by mine. My tank seems much healthier and algae free ever since I installed it.

 

uv will not help remove/reduce ammonia. What kinds of set up do you have? LR, LS, tank size, skimmer, filter media (if you use any), filter, live stock (hope you have none) etc.

 

Dont run the UV sterilizer during your cycle. Let that finish out naturally, it takes time.

You shouldnt need a UV sterilizer for a little while, they are good for keeping parasites down in your tank or algae...depending on the rate of flow you put through it.

 

Emily, what are your actual test results? what is high, nitrates or nitrites? 6 weeks and still cycling is ok - no need to rush anything or tinker with the process. Please tell us the results of ammonia, nitrate and nitrite and what you have done from the start and we will help you. The best advice at the moment is to do nothing and be patient.