Help on a UV Flow.

[leighton.bingham]

I have a

SICCE Syncra Pro 2200 - designed for fresh and saltwater use | a product of the USA | 550 GPH​

and a Lifegard Aquatics 25 Watt Pro-MAX High Output UV Sterilizer

For my Tank that is 110g. I wanted to know if this might be to much for the sterilizer or to little? There is zero head loss. It is plumbed from the second chamber in the sump to straight to the DT.

Thanks in advance

 

[tzabor10]

You can always put the UV light on a timer. I find it’s best to use it intermittently. Good luck with the inline plumbing. I could never adjust the flow rate.

 

[leighton.bingham]

You can always put the UV light on a timer. I find it’s best to use it intermittently. Good luck with the inline plumbing. I could never adjust the flow rate.

Talk to me more about this timer and why please

 

[Naekuh]

Nah flow rate > Timer....

Without proper flow, your sterilizer is just a expensive sun tan light.

I think its on the manual what flow you should use for what you want to sterilize.
Dino's and Paracites have different flow requirements.

You can check flow with either a flow monitor, or using the old fashion bucket test.

See how long it takes to fill the bucket over time, and divide it out.

You do not need to be spot on with flow... but it shouldn't be +/- more then 15% if possible.

 

[tzabor10]

Talk to me more about this timer and why please

Use a timer so you don’t destroy all the good bacteria in your system. A simple lamp timer would work. I like the Kasa smart strip. It can be used as a controller.
@Naekuh is right about flow rate. Be sure to know what you are targeting.

 

[leighton.bingham]

Awesome thanks for the info everyone!

 

[theMeat]

With a 25 watt bulb, 550 gph will sterilize algae and bacteria. If you want to kill parasites you’ll need to slow that flow 50-75%

If the dt is higher than the sump there is head loss

 

[leighton.bingham]

With a 25 watt bulb, 550 gph will sterilize algae and bacteria. If you want to kill parasites you’ll need to slow that flow 50-75%

If the dt is higher than the sump there is head loss

So I probably need a different pump? The max my pump now will do is 550gph

 

[theMeat]

How many feet from bottom of sumps to top of display?
Are you wanting uv for parasites?

 

[leighton.bingham]

How many feet from bottom of sumps to top of display?
Are you wanting uv for parasites?

4.5 ft to the top where the pic comes in. There is about 8ft of pic pipe though. 3 90's and 2 45's all 1". Im looking to uv algae. I had a terrible green algae bloom that wouldn't go away and the 24w green machine only lasted 6 months.

 

[Reef-Rookie]

4.5 ft to the top where the pic comes in. There is about 8ft of pic pipe though. 3 90's and 2 45's all 1". Im looking to uv algae. I had a terrible green algae bloom that wouldn't go away and the 24w green machine only lasted 6 months.

I agree with @theMeat. If what you are trying to kill is flying through the UV sterilizer so fast that it is only exposed for a fraction of a second, it is not doing much good. Slow down that flow for a longer exposure time. Especially for parasites. Conversly, you do not want the flow to be so low that it's only turning over 1% of the tank volume an hour. Get a pump that puts out half that volume and you'll find better results. Good Luck!!!

 

[leighton.bingham]

I agree with @theMeat. If what you are trying to kill is flying through the UV sterilizer so fast that it is only exposed for a fraction of a second, it is not doing much good. Slow down that flow for a longer exposure time. Especially for parasites. Conversly, you do not want the flow to be so low that it's only turning over 1% of the tank volume an hour. Get a pump that puts out half that volume and you'll find better results. Good Luck!!!

So longer exposer for parasites and shorter for Alage if im reading this correctly? Sorry just a little confused.

 

[Reef-Rookie]

So longer exposer for parasites and shorter for Alage if im reading this correctly? Sorry just a little confused.

Just stick with low flow and you'll be good on both algae and parasites. Based on your bulb wattage, I would say 200-250 GPH should do the trick. Frequently check the bulb too. UV bulbs in my experience don't last much longer than 6 months.

 

[theMeat]

The bulb should last 9-12 months if used 24/7. Check the bulb specs for hours of usage. The bulb will still work/go on. It just looses its uv wavelength and needs to be changed periodically.
Would say stick with your return pump if you’re happy with the flow. It is lower gph then recommended when you figure in head loss but still works. The uv will only sterilize what passes through it. What’s attached to rocks and such it will have no effect

 

[javajaws]

On a 110g tank at 3x turnover that is 330 g/h - that's a good starting point for that UV on that size tank. Count or estimate your headloss and see what that pump will do. My guess is it won't be enough flow after you count headloss. You can go as low as 2x turnover and be alright and you'll get better kill power too with the UV. I'd consider getting a DC pump so you can adjust flow at the pump if you need to. I've got a Varios 4 I'll be running as my return on a roughly 90g tank with that same UV.

 

[theMeat]

 

[leighton.bingham]

Not sure what the graphic means?

 

[theMeat]

Not sure what the graphic means?

It shows Sicce pumps. Each pump size has its own color/line on the chart. The bottom scale shows liters. The up/down scale shows height/head in meters. This way you can estimate how many gallons per hour your pump is putting out with your head height. It is a guess because just about every manufacturer overestimates their product’s output