Hangon UV Filter Review:
PF-15, PF-25, PF-40, & PSE1 UV Hang-On Filter as well as IL5-UV & IL10-UV

I felt this should be my first post based on what I have read and questions I have had asked of me by clients.

First these are a nice idea, that at first glance appears to be well made.

I will first start with the positives I do see:

(1) Simple to operate

(2) Compact Design

(3) Efficient Filter design for an economy filter

(4) Performs very basic water clarification (via UVC Sterilization)

Now the Overwhelming Negatives:

(1) No true Bio Filtration since there is no room for a Bio Sponge, Grid, etc.
This can be a major negative since aerobic bio-filtration is an essential aspect of aquarium filtration.

(2) Due to the nature of how an HOB power aquarium filter works, it is common for calcium deposits to build up on the quartz sleeve, slowly degrading what little actual UVC actually reaches any possible algae for clairifcation.
Eventually even the ability to perform UV Clarification is lost yet alone level one sterilization which this UV/Filter never truly attains, even out of the box.

(3) Now that these have been out for a while, I can comment on the “well made” aspect of these UV units.
The simple answer is leaks and ballast failures are all too common after 6 months to a year.

(4) As per the advertised UV Sterilization by the manufacturer and some sellers, this is where I really find the advertisements misleading as they claim these filters “aids in the health of your aquatic creatures by eradicating free-floating parasites”.

The FACTS are free floating parasites are only achieved by Level 2 UV Sterilization, and this filter cannot even truly perform Level One Sterilization (which is all most aquarium users require).
Level Two Sterilization requires a flow rate under 8 gph for most UVs, although some well designed UVs such as the TMC Vecton, True UV Sterilizer can perform this in under 12 gph.
Further Reference:
TMC Vecton UV Sterilizer Review

This brings me to another point; this is not a well designed UV, not because of any specific design flaw, but only due to this concept, as this concept WAS attempted 20+ years ago (by Nektonics), despite manufacturer claims.

The concept of a UV Sterilizer built into a Hang On (HOB) Aquarium Power Filter simply cannot have a good dwell time!

The dwell time of this filter is under 1.50 watts of UVC energy per second for this filter.
Compare this to 1.95 watts of UVC energy per second for the “Terminator 13 watt” versus 2.08 watts of UVC energy per second for the “8 Watt Vecton“.

What this boils down to is this is a blatant lie, as to parasite eradication; if the manufacturer would only state “Effective for Water Clarification” I would have less of a problem.
The bigger picture problem here is that over the years many aquarium UV Sterilizer manufacturers have made similar claims and then aquarium keepers have purchased these products based on these claims (example; Green Killing Machine, Submariner).
The Result? These persons then go on to state in forums, Yahoo Answers, or even me how UV Sterilizers are “Crap” as their fish continued to get sick after installing these types of UV Devices.
The end result is the continued “cut & paste” of misinformation that UVs are useless, when in fact it is what was purchased or how they are installed that makes the difference.

This would be analogous to purchasing a mini pickup to pull a 10,000 fifth wheel trailer and when it fails complaining about all pick ups, when in fact this person should have purchased a 350/3500 full size pick up truck.
There simply is a reason a UV such as this can have a filter and UV and cost less than $70 while a quality UV sterilizer (without any other gimmicks) of similar wattage costs about $125

Finally, I might add that before I push Level Two Sterilization,; for most aquariums Level One Sterilization is all that is necessary for disease prevention and fish immunity, via Aquarium Redox Balance.
However this Filter cannot even perform Level 1 Sterilization and thus should NOT be purchased if this is what you need for your aquarium.

Further Reference: Aquarium Redox Basics

The bottom line is ANY True in-line UV Sterilizer is better than these essentially decorative UV light emitting devices. This does NOT mean the low quality AquaTop IL5-UV or IL10-UV which although better than the AquaTop Hang On UVs, these still have poor dwell times and construction that is prone to leaks and ballast failures.
Simply put, from my use of many AquaTop products, they are a company to avoid , in particular for their line of so-called UV Sterilizers!!!

Better yet would be a high Dwell Time UV such as the TMC Vecton (see the link below)

Recommended Reading:
TMC Vecton & Advantage In-Line UV Sterilizer Review