Aqua Ultraviolet Twist UV Sterilisers 57w

• 57 W UV-C output – sized for saltwater systems up to roughly 355 US gal (1,345 L) at sterilising flow, or freshwater systems up to 3,000 US gal (11,355 L) at clarifying flow.
• Dose changes with flow – full clarifying flow of up to 3,200 GPH (12,110 L/h) delivers roughly 30,000 µW·s/cm² at end-of-lamp-life; throttled back to around 1,066 GPH (4,035 L/h) it delivers around 90,000 µW·s/cm² – see the full table below.
• 3/4″ barb inlet and outlet – plumbs in-line with standard aquarium hose.
• Twist quick-fit design – lamp and sleeve access without unplumbing the unit body.
• ~14-month lamp life – UV-C output fades well before the lamp stops visibly glowing, so Aqua Ultraviolet rates the lamp on a service interval rather than "until it goes out".

This is the number that actually matters, and it isn't on most retailers' pages: the UV dose this unit delivers falls as flow rises, because faster-moving water spends less time next to the lamp. Aqua Ultraviolet publishes the following saltwater dose table, rated conservatively at end-of-lamp-life rather than with a brand-new lamp:

The flow rate that clarifies water and the flow rate that meaningfully affects parasites are not the same setting. At the full 3,200 GPH rated flow, this unit is doing a good job on green water and floating algae, at roughly a third of the dose needed to reliably affect free-swimming parasite stages such as whitespot (ich). To reach the 75,000–90,000 µW·s/cm² band, flow needs to be throttled back to around 1,066–1,280 GPH – well under half the clarifying flow rate. Slowing the flow that far isn't a settings tweak you make once and forget; it's a different operating mode for a different job.

A UV steriliser run in the disease-control band reduces the free-swimming parasite load passing through the water column – it does not treat parasites already attached to a fish, and it is not a substitute for correct quarantine and treatment of an active outbreak.

Suitable for freshwater and marine aquariums as an in-line clarifier at high flow, or as a supplementary pathogen-control tool at reduced flow, plumbed after mechanical filtration so debris doesn't shade the lamp. Not a substitute for quarantine procedure, and not a treatment for parasites or bacteria already established on fish or in the display – it only affects organisms that pass through the chamber while the lamp is running.

Included: steriliser body with the lamp and quartz sleeve fitted, power transformer, and 3/4″ barb fittings for the inlet and outlet.

You'll still need: aquarium hose or pipework sized to 3/4″, a valve or gate valve if you want to set a specific flow rate for pathogen control, a mounting point in-line after your mechanical filtration, and a GPO protected by a residual current device (RCD/safety switch), which is good practice for any mains-powered wet-area appliance.

Run continuously, 57 W works out to roughly 500 kWh a year. At a 30c/kWh tariff assumption, that's in the order of $150 a year to keep the unit running around the clock – your own tariff and hours of use will move that figure.

Replace the lamp at around 14 months of continuous use, even though it will still be glowing – UV-C germicidal output fades well before the visible light does. Wipe or replace the quartz sleeve at the same time; a scaled or scratched sleeve blocks UV-C output regardless of how new the lamp is.

Mains-powered wet-area appliance – install on a GPO protected by an RCD/safety switch. Never look directly at the lamp while the unit is powered and open; UV-C causes eye and skin burns. Switch off and unplug before opening the housing to service the lamp or sleeve.

• Aqua Ultraviolet Twist UV 57W Replacement Lamp – the annual service part.
• Aqua Ultraviolet Twist UV 25W/57W Quartz Sleeve – replace alongside the lamp if scaled or scratched.
• Aqua Ultraviolet 3/4" Barb Fitting 2pk – spare inlet/outlet fittings.

Covered by Aqua Ultraviolet's manufacturer warranty, in addition to your rights under Australian Consumer Law. Standard delivery Australia-wide.

What flow rate should I run it at for a reef tank?

Aqua Ultraviolet's own guidance puts reef systems in the 30,000–45,000 µW·s/cm² band, which on this unit is a flow of roughly 2,133–3,200 GPH (8,070–12,110 L/h).

Will this cure whitespot (ich) in my display tank?

No single piece of equipment cures an active outbreak on its own. Run at the 75,000–90,000 µW·s/cm² band (roughly 1,066–1,280 GPH), a UV steriliser reduces the free-swimming parasite stages reinfecting your fish, alongside proper treatment and quarantine – it doesn't reach parasites already attached to a fish.

Do I need a separate controller to slow the flow down?

No controller is required – a simple gate valve or ball valve on the plumbing either side of the unit lets you dial the flow back to the dose you need.

Does the dose table assume a new lamp or an old one?

An old one – Aqua Ultraviolet rates these figures at end-of-lamp-life, so the dose you actually get is never worse than what's shown, and is higher with a fresh lamp fitted.

Can I run this on a freshwater pond as well as a marine tank?

Yes – it's rated to 3,000 US gal (11,355 L) for freshwater sterilisation and clarification, well beyond most home aquariums.