Aqua UV unit - help with insane flow recommendations

XLReefer525 · Dec 21, 2022

I have been researching UV units for my new setup. I have been looking at Pentair and Aqua. At first, I was sold on Pentair and flow rates made sense. Then, I read numerous reviews of failing / melting units, and went to Aqua. Specifically, the 57 Watt unit. Aqua's recommended flow rates for it are a whopping 1,066 - 1,280 GPH for disease, and 2,133 - 3,200 GPH for algae and bacteria. And, the unit comes with 3/4" barbs for in and out. These flow rates are insane and I don't even know how it would be possible with 3/4" tubing. They are very, very different from what Pentair recommends on its unit. You peeps with the Aqua, are you really running that kind of flow? I won't even have a flow meter and was going to do the old milk jug method, fill up a gallon, and calculate it. But at the minimum flow, it's almost 18 gallons a minute. This makes no sense!

xabo · Dec 21, 2022

May be worth a read: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/aqua-ultaviolet.949462/#post-10879169

blaxsun · Dec 21, 2022

Stick with AquaUV - the thinning/failing/melting Pentair canisters unnerved me as well. I have the same unit, so I'll offer my insights on the unit.

First and foremost, whatever UV you opt for - get a spare bulb right away and set a calendar reminder to check it at 6 and 12-month intervals. With AquaUV, the stated UV rating is based on the calculation at the 14-month mark - so it will have a higher effectiveness when brand new. Also, the glass housing can accumulate a lot of crap which further limits effectiveness (hence the 6-month check for bulb inspection and any cleaning required).

Second, many of us run a much slower flow rate through our UVs. This actually bumps up the UV from "stun" to "semi-kill". With my 57-watt AquaUV I have a separate Sicce 6.0 SDC pump that runs at a constant @60% (1255Gph, 0.5m height). Based on an approximate 0.5-1m run I've calculated a flow rate of between 633-753Gph. And yes, you can certainly do the "jug" method to give you an approximation (that's what I initially did as well).

Believe it or not, you can actually push a *lot* of water through a 3/4" tube. I can run the Sicce SDC 6.0 @100% with no issues (so that's in excess of 1,255Gph).

xabo · Dec 21, 2022

blaxsun said:
Stick with AquaUV - the thinning/failing/melting Pentair canisters unnerved me as well. I have the same unit, so I'll offer my insights on the unit.

First and foremost, whatever UV you opt for - get a spare bulb right away and set a calendar reminder to check it at 6 and 12-month intervals. With AquaUV, the stated UV rating is based on the calculation at the 14-month mark - so it will have a higher effectiveness when brand new. Also, the glass housing can accumulate a lot of crap which further limits effectiveness (hence the 6-month check for bulb inspection and any cleaning required).

Second, many of us run a much slower flow rate through our UVs. This actually bumps up the UV from "stun" to "semi-kill". With my 57-watt AquaUV I have a separate Sicce 6.0 SDC pump that runs at a constant @60% (1255Gph, 0.5m height). Based on an approximate 0.5-1m run I've calculated a flow rate of between 633-753Gph. And yes, you can certainly do the "jug" method to give you an approximation (that's what I initially did as well).

Believe it or not, you can actually push a *lot* of water through a 3/4" tube. I can run the Sicce SDC 6.0 @100% with no issues (so that's in excess of 1,255Gph).

What flow rate would you recommend for Dinos?

crusso1993 · Dec 21, 2022

XLReefer525 said:
I have been researching UV units for my new setup. I have been looking at Pentair and Aqua. At first, I was sold on Pentair and flow rates made sense. Then, I read numerous reviews of failing / melting units, and went to Aqua. Specifically, the 57 Watt unit. Aqua's recommended flow rates for it are a whopping 1,066 - 1,280 GPH for disease, and 2,133 - 3,200 GPH for algae and bacteria. And, the unit comes with 3/4" barbs for in and out. These flow rates are insane and I don't even know how it would be possible with 3/4" tubing. They are very, very different from what Pentair recommends on its unit. You peeps with the Aqua, are you really running that kind of flow? I won't even have a flow meter and was going to do the old milk jug method, fill up a gallon, and calculate it. But at the minimum flow, it's almost 18 gallons a minute. This makes no sense!

Here is a link with decent explanations about UV and flow rates. I, as well as many others, have used and recommended these UV filters for a number of years. They are a solid company that puts out solid products that work very well.

TMC Premium UV Sterilizers; Only USA Authorized Seller

We carry the highest grade professional UV sterilizers. TMC Vecton, Titan, Advantage Pond/Aquarium, UV Sterilizer | Category A . Along with internal UV pump Filter

www.americanaquariumproducts.com

blaxsun · Dec 21, 2022

xabo said:
What flow rate would you recommend for Dinos?

Myself, anything below 1,255Gph (but this is also parasite-level control - not just algae).

xabo · Dec 21, 2022

Thanks..........

XLReefer525 · Dec 22, 2022

blaxsun said:
Believe it or not, you can actually push a *lot* of water through a 3/4" tube. I can run the Sicce SDC 6.0 @100% with no issues (so that's in excess of 1,255Gph).

Thanks for this. I could see this flow working through that size tube. I still can't see 3,000 GPH though. I contacted Aqua yesterday through their online chat. I went at 2 different times and chatted with two different people. Both of them recommended running in the 2,800 to 3,000 GPH range for full algae / bacteria management.

Waters · Dec 22, 2022

I am only running mine around 800gph.....pushing the amount of water they recommend would blow the water out of my sump. I agree with you.....could not come up with a valid reason why Aqua is the only company suggesting those high numbers. The units are basically all the same from company to company (yes quality is different). UV light is UV light. Unless those units require more water pushed through them for cooling or someting along those lines.

flashsmith · Dec 22, 2022

Speaking of UV is UV.. I've been running the coralife turbo twist units on 2 systems for a fraction of the cost. I have a 36w on my reefer 625 and a 9w on my 80 gallon. No issues in 2 years and replacement bulbs for the 36w run me about $20 bucks plus shipping from bulb America. Same Phillips bulbs they come with for $60 less than the usual retailers. Not stealing your shine just letting you know there's other options than those two brands.

XLReefer525 · Dec 22, 2022

flashsmith said:
Speaking of UV is UV.. I've been running the coralife turbo twist units on 2 systems for a fraction of the cost. I have a 36w on my reefer 625 and a 9w on my 80 gallon. No issues in 2 years and replacement bulbs for the 36w run me about $20 bucks plus shipping from bulb America. Same Phillips bulbs they come with for $60 less than the usual retailers. Not stealing your shine just letting you know there's other options than those two brands.

I appreciate this. I'm all for not spending money I don't have to. I read about these and then quickly dismissed them since the wattage and recommended tank size seemed so much more "generous" than the expensive brands. Also, I stopped reading any further after seeing multiple reviews regarding these units rusting out fairly quickly. Glad to hear your experience is different. Perhaps they are improved at this point?

jmichaelh7 · Dec 22, 2022

I’m running 251 gph no issues

XLReefer525 · Dec 22, 2022

jmichaelh7 said:
I’m running 251 gph no issues

Thanks - you are running this through the Aqua 57?

jmichaelh7 · Dec 22, 2022

I’m running the sicce 1.0 plumbed to Two 57 Aqua 57

Useful_Idiot · Dec 22, 2022

I'm running a 57 Aqua UV as well with about 450 gph no issues. I think they use "Kessil logic" because it's not actually 57 watts it pulls. More like 48 according to my apex and many others reported this as well. And sleeves should be replaced when the white haze doesn't clean up. Every few years.

flashsmith · Dec 22, 2022

XLReefer525 said:
I appreciate this. I'm all for not spending money I don't have to. I read about these and then quickly dismissed them since the wattage and recommended tank size seemed so much more "generous" than the expensive brands. Also, I stopped reading any further after seeing multiple reviews regarding these units rusting out fairly quickly. Glad to hear your experience is different. Perhaps they are improved at this point?

In this hobby there's all kinds of negativity regarding many products. Literally everything in fact. People won't buy a reefer because of all the negative experiences. Didn't stop me though. UV is a perfect example. Will it clear your water? Sure will. Will it help control algae? Maybe. Will it kill pathogens? Highly unlikely for a home aquarium. I use it for water clarity and expect nothing more of it. Thus my choice to run a "cheaper" unit.

jmichaelh7 · Dec 22, 2022

flashsmith said:
In this hobby there's all kinds of negativity regarding many products. Literally everything in fact. People won't buy a reefer because of all the negative experiences. Didn't stop me though. UV is a perfect example. Will it clear your water? Sure will. Will it help control algae? Maybe. Will it kill pathogens? Highly unlikely for a home aquarium. I use it for water clarity and expect nothing more of it. Thus my choice to run a "cheaper" unit.

When my bulb goes out I know because I’ll see white spots on my fish …

I’ll never go 6 months without a cleaning 11 months without replacing.

Villious · Dec 28, 2022

flashsmith said:
In this hobby there's all kinds of negativity regarding many products. Literally everything in fact. People won't buy a reefer because of all the negative experiences. Didn't stop me though. UV is a perfect example. Will it clear your water? Sure will. Will it help control algae? Maybe. Will it kill pathogens? Highly unlikely for a home aquarium. I use it for water clarity and expect nothing more of it. Thus my choice to run a "cheaper" unit.

With a proper sized UV, and propper flow rate, They will most definly do whats stated. You are correct in that a cheaper "toy", will not.

Villious · Dec 28, 2022

A good source of factual information.

UVC Sterilization | How Aquarium & Pond UV Sterilizers Work

Information how a TRUE Aquarium, Pond UV Sterilizer/clarifier work. Category A, B, & C Sterilizers. Affect on green water, disease prevention, & Redox

www.americanaquariumproducts.com

Lost in the Sauce · Dec 28, 2022

flashsmith said:
Speaking of UV is UV.. I've been running the coralife turbo twist units on 2 systems for a fraction of the cost. I have a 36w on my reefer 625 and a 9w on my 80 gallon. No issues in 2 years and replacement bulbs for the 36w run me about $20 bucks plus shipping from bulb America. Same Phillips bulbs they come with for $60 less than the usual retailers. Not stealing your shine just letting you know there's other options than those two brands.

Do you inspect your reflectors often? I've seen inside 3 turbo twist units and Every single one of them has rust build up on the reflectors in the water channel.