OK I am a Studio owner/Artist @ Skinflix Custom Ink & mobile studios in Cedar Rapids,Iowa.
First off an Altrasonic cleaner does not sterilize anything ,but rather is used to basically vibrate pigments,plasmas,off of things such as stainless steel tubes,piercing utensils ,etc.
When used the way most use an ultrasonic cleaner,it is merely filled with a heavy soapy solution
only.Now I prefer, if you are going to use an ultrasonic ,to also add a limited amount of a liquid sterilant to the liquid such as alittle Wave-a cide 01,or even Cidex or Omnicide, as alittle extra prcautionary measure.Or a cap or 2 of bleach.
After the time period of the Ultrasonic cleaner has done it's job to your satifaction,remove items ,always wearing gloves,rinse thouroughly,and then package into sterilization pouches and run through your Auto-clave.
Never re-use needles,disposeable tubes,tips,etc,dispose of those into sharps container..So in all practcallity,if you can't afford both,(wait til you can!),do not skimp on cost of an autoclave -sterilizer,which is going to protect you as well as your clients ...If you are unsure on how to operate
it,ask someone who knows..!!
thanx,
Lonn @ Skinflix Custom Ink
319-241-4012