I'm looking to buy a UV sterilizer to help with my epic battle against nuisance algae and dinos. I know peeps here like the Aqua Ultraviolet brand, but that's just out of budget for me esp during this recession. My tank is also fairly small (40 gallons), and my living space has limited room, so I'm aiming for a sterilizer that will just go inside the tank.
I'm looking at the Green Killing Machine, but it looks like bulbs have a lifespan of maybe 6 months before needing replacement. Replacement bulbs are 30$ for the 9W sterilizer, which is basically half the cost of the entire sterilizer itself. That means 60$/year in on-going costs to maintain the sterilizer, and while that's relatively affordable, do you guys know if there are off-brand bulbs that are cheaper that will be compatible with the Green Killing Machine?
Or are there other UV sterilizers that have cheap replaceable bulbs and have worked well against dinos? I'm open to other sterilizers so long as it's within that pricepoint.
I'm looking at the Green Killing Machine, but it looks like bulbs have a lifespan of maybe 6 months before needing replacement. Replacement bulbs are 30$ for the 9W sterilizer, which is basically half the cost of the entire sterilizer itself. That means 60$/year in on-going costs to maintain the sterilizer, and while that's relatively affordable, do you guys know if there are off-brand bulbs that are cheaper that will be compatible with the Green Killing Machine?
Or are there other UV sterilizers that have cheap replaceable bulbs and have worked well against dinos? I'm open to other sterilizers so long as it's within that pricepoint.