High Powered UV Sterilizers?
- Thread starter Kasey Grohowski
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Kasey Grohowski
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They usually have tank size listed in the product description. A lifegard aquatics 90 watt is for saltwater aquariums up to 650 gallons.
I run a 120w Pentair smartUV at about 400gph, and it does what I want on a system with total volume of about 300gph and a 1200gph flow rate through the sump. The UV recirculates in the sump.
My understanding is that there are two things to consider when sizing the UV for the system. One is the max circulation rate recommended by the manufacturer, depending on the level of sterilzation you are looking for.
The other is the amount of water volume turnover you will achieve through the UV, given how you will configure it.
Ideally, you can match the UV max circulation rate with your return pump flow and put the UV in line with your return, achieving 100% treatment of all of the water that your return pump pushes. There are downsides to that though, some being the theory that by doing it this way you may be affecting the pod population that is able to migrate from your sump to your DT.
It really all depends on the tank turnover rate through the UV and the sterilization level you achieve.
My understanding is that there are two things to consider when sizing the UV for the system. One is the max circulation rate recommended by the manufacturer, depending on the level of sterilzation you are looking for.
The other is the amount of water volume turnover you will achieve through the UV, given how you will configure it.
Ideally, you can match the UV max circulation rate with your return pump flow and put the UV in line with your return, achieving 100% treatment of all of the water that your return pump pushes. There are downsides to that though, some being the theory that by doing it this way you may be affecting the pod population that is able to migrate from your sump to your DT.
It really all depends on the tank turnover rate through the UV and the sterilization level you achieve.
Kasey Grohowski
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I have a 55 watt (jebao) on a 260, and it does absolutely nothing. If you get a 40 watt make sure it's a good brand.
I think the old emporer aquatics ( before Pentair bought them out) had the best sizing charts in the industry. They probaly woul say well over a 100 watt for your tank. Look into them see if you can find some sizing charts from them.
