High Powered UV Sterilizers?

[Kasey Grohowski]

Does anyone have a high powered (125 watts or higher) UV sterilizer? How does it do keeping algae, parasites, etc away?

 

[Jay Z]

Thats a loaded question. Boils down to dwell time and flow for what it’s capable of handling.

 

[Kasey Grohowski]

Thats a loaded question. Boils down to dwell time and flow for what it’s capable of handling.

Do you have one?

 

[14 foot reef]

I run a sl200 from Aqua Ultraviolet 200 watt driven by a vectra L1
I run it different spends depending if I'm battling algae or parasite issues.
Very happy with it.

 

[Jay Z]

I have a vecton v2 600 25 watt. I took it off line when I started using ozone.

Suppose to handle aquariums from 180-500 gallons at a flow rate not to exceed 750gph to maintain level 1 sterilization.

 

[Kasey Grohowski]

I run a sl200 from Aqua Ultraviolet 200 watt driven by a vectra L1
I run it different spends depending if I'm battling algae or parasite issues.
Very happy with it.

Have you had a parasite outbreak in the tank and has this handled it?

 

[Kasey Grohowski]

I have a vecton v2 600 25 watt. I took it off line when I started using ozone.

Suppose to handle aquariums from 180-500 gallons at a flow rate not to exceed 750gph to maintain level 1 sterilization.

Level 1 sterilization?

 

[14 foot reef]

Have you had a parasite outbreak in the tank and has this handled it?

I have, and yes it did.

 

[Kasey Grohowski]

I have a vecton v2 600 25 watt. I took it off line when I started using ozone.

Suppose to handle aquariums from 180-500 gallons at a flow rate not to exceed 750gph to maintain level 1 sterilization.

Do I have level 2 sterilization at 250 gph with a 55 watt UV?

 

[Jay Z]

Level 1 sterilization?

Level 1 is parasite. After that it’s just clarification.

And 14 foot does have a, well, let just say people with monster tanks say omg when they see his.

He’s running a $2k+ sterilizer capable of taking care of a swimming pool. Think that unit is close to 22k gph on fresh and 1800 on salt.

 

[Jay Z]

Do I have level 2 sterilization at 250 gph with a 55 watt UV?

That’s where the loaded part comes in. Depends on the brand, it’s specs, and the flow rate out of it.

 

[Kasey Grohowski]

That’s where the loaded part comes in. Depends on the brand, it’s specs, and the flow rate out of it.

I'm thinking about getting a 90 watt Lifegard Aquatics with a 750 gph pump for a 250 gallon system, to achieve level 2 sterilization.

 

[ca1ore]

Level 2 is greater ‘kill’ than Level 1. Below that is clarification. American aquarium products website attempts an explanation.

 

[Kasey Grohowski]

Level 2 is greater ‘kill’ than Level 1. Below that is clarification. American aquarium products website attempts an explanation.

I read that.

 

[ca1ore]

It’s an interesting article. Could be BS of course LOL. I sized mine that way too.

 

[lapin]

I have a TMC/AAP High Output 110 Watt Professional Large Pond/Aquarium UV Sterilizer/Clarifier
Works like a champ. I only run it 2x per day for 4 hours total on my 600gal. I once left it on for a whole day and my skimmer filled up the 5 gal over flow bucket and shut off. Remember you will never achive 100% sterilization because your rock and sand has water in it that will prob not pass thru the unit. It will get rid of most things in the water column.

 

[Kasey Grohowski]

I have a TMC/AAP High Output 110 Watt Professional Large Pond/Aquarium UV Sterilizer/Clarifier
Works like a champ. I only run it 2x per day for 4 hours total on my 600gal. I once left it on for a whole day and my skimmer filled up the 5 gal over flow bucket and shut off.

Why is that? Should higher powered UV's not be ran 24/7?

 

[lapin]

I dont need it to run that much to keep my tank in good shape. I QT my fish and dip my coral. It heats the water and in Texas we dont need the heat. Its still 100F and its fall. Also I dont need to replace the bulbs every year. They are expensive. I dont mind replacing my whole house bulb each year, but not the 2 for the tank.

 

[Kasey Grohowski]

I dont need it to run that much to keep my tank in good shape. I QT my fish and dip my coral. It heats the water and in Texas we dont need the heat. Its still 100F and its fall. Also I dont need to replace the bulbs every year. They are expensive. I dont mind replacing my whole house bulb each year, but not the 2 for the tank.

Do you attribute it to keeping your tank algae free?

 

[lapin]

My tank is not totally algae free. I belive we need some to feed the food chain. Plus what would my lawnmower and urchin eat?