Aqua UV Sterilizer Flow Question

[Tonii]

Good evening,

I received a used 15 watt Aqua uv sterilizer as a gift but can’t find any information about flow rates to treat algae or to treat bacteria. I have a 80 gallon mixed reef and I run carbon an a reactor all the time. Looking to mostly treat bacteria for now. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

 

[Water Dog]

This info is taken right from the AquaUV website for the 15 watt Classic Unit.

at 30,000 µw/cm2 (EOL) GPH: 700 (Max Flow Rate)
at 45,000 µw/cm2 (EOL) GPH: 466
at 60,000 µw/cm2 (EOL) GPH: 350
at 75,000 µw/cm2 (EOL) GPH: 280
at 90,000 µw/cm2 (EOL) GPH: 233 (Min Flow Rate)

On the product page, click on the “additional information” tab...

Classic UV 15-Watt Series Units for Sale | Classic Sterilizers

Buy Classic UV 15-Watt Series Units online today for undefined sterilization! Browse Aqua Ultraviolet for Classic Sterilizers!

aquaultraviolet.com

 

[Tonii]

This info is taken right from the AquaUV website for the 15 watt Classic Unit.

at 30,000 µw/cm2 (EOL) GPH: 700 (Max Flow Rate)
at 45,000 µw/cm2 (EOL) GPH: 466
at 60,000 µw/cm2 (EOL) GPH: 350
at 75,000 µw/cm2 (EOL) GPH: 280
at 90,000 µw/cm2 (EOL) GPH: 233 (Min Flow Rate)

On the product page, click on the “additional information” tab...

Classic UV 15-Watt Series Units for Sale | Classic Sterilizers

Buy Classic UV 15-Watt Series Units online today for undefined sterilization! Browse Aqua Ultraviolet for Classic Sterilizers!

aquaultraviolet.com

Yes I saw that but I don’t really understand how those numbers translate to treating bacteria or algae

 

[Water Dog]

For disease control / sterilization go with the lower flow rate of 233 gph. I have the same unit running on my 57 gallon tank. I run at around 350 gph.

Here‘s a discussion that I found that might help...

UV sterilizer and flow rate

hey reefers...I just installed my new UV sterilizer...I have a question ..I know for parasites you want to be able to have a slower flow I think in the 300 to 450 range? I put a ball valve on the return line from mine so I can slow the flow..my question is..I have a sicce syncra 5.0 that at full...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[Tonii]

For disease control / sterilization go with the lower flow rate of 233 gph. I have the same unit running on my 57 gallon tank. I run at around 350 gph.

Thanks will do that. By any chance do you know if there are any disadvantages if it’s run at a lower flow rate 350 gph

 

[Water Dog]

That unit recommends a minimum flow rate of 233 gph. Any lower and you risk overheating the unit and prematurely burning out your bulb.

 

[Tonii]

That unit recommends a minimum flow rate of 233 gph. Any lower and you risk overheating the unit and prematurely burning out your bulb.

Ok thank you.

 

[Tonii]

For disease control / sterilization go with the lower flow rate of 233 gph. I have the same unit running on my 57 gallon tank. I run at around 350 gph.

Good evening,

by any chance do you know what would be the adequate flow rate to treat for example dinos or algae?

 

[Water Dog]

Good evening,

by any chance do you know what would be the adequate flow rate to treat for example dinos or algae?

I do not recall the specific numbers for doing so. You may want to check out the Dino threads that detail the specific UV light exposure rates for Dino control.

 

[SmartDogSchool]

Good evening,

I received a used 15 watt Aqua uv sterilizer as a gift but can’t find any information about flow rates to treat algae or to treat bacteria. I have a 80 gallon mixed reef and I run carbon an a reactor all the time. Looking to mostly treat bacteria for now. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

If you take the recommended minimum flow rate posted on the site (233GPH) and apply it literally, this would mean that an individual couldn’t use larger UVs on smaller tanks.
From my understanding of these units, the minimum flow rate for the 90,000 would be 233 GPH for 75 Gallons of water volume. Based on my experience, about 20% of a typical reef is taken up by Sand, Rock, Eq and Air making your 80 Gallon Tank have an estimated 65 Gallons. With that in mind taking the recommended flow rate of 233 and dividing it by 75 gives you 3.10GPH per actual gallon of water. For your tank that would be 65 x 3.10 = 201.5. So, again, if I’m understanding the math, and based on recommendations for treating 75 gallons per the site, if I had your tank I’d be aiming for 200GPH or less than 4x turnover.
JMO though

 

[SmartDogSchool]

That unit recommends a minimum flow rate of 233 gph. Any lower and you risk overheating the unit and prematurely burning out your bulb.

Wouldn’t that Min Flow Rate be based on the 75 Gallons? And wouldn’t that be for “actual” gallons not the tank’s capacity?
Using a smaller tank with larger UVs would mean slowing the GPH down to match the actual water available wouldn’t it?