In case you were wondering if UV works...

[special-ops-s2k]

I'm in the process of setting up my 200g display tank and after test filling and running everything while checking for leaks I seemed to develop a bacterial bloom. So today I plumbed in the UV loop and fired it up... These are the results.

1pm

4pm

6pm

10pm

Here's the UV setup. Dual Pentair 50w High Output units in series.

 

[Idoc]

Nice! That worked very fast!

 

[special-ops-s2k]

Nice! That worked very fast!

It did! I'm actually shocked how well it worked. This is the first reef tank I've had UV on, but wow I'm impressed.

 

[SPR1968]

I know there is a lot of debate on UV especially in the US, but it’s much more popular in Europe

I use it 24/7 and wouldn’t run a reef without it.

The only down side is buying it and changing the bulb once a year, and a bit of electricity.

Nice tank and set up as well by the way

 

[Waters]

I agree with @SPR1968 . I also run a large unit 24/7 and won't run a reef tank without one. Initially installed it while fighting Dinos a couple of years ago....helped completely wipe them out.

 

[jd371]

I'd love to have mine 24/7 on my tank but there's no room under the stand and I'm forbidden on plumbing anything outside the tank. I still have it and is part of a canister filter/UV set up that is easy to install and breakdown on my tank when needed. Worked great when I had Dinos two years ago.

 

[ca1ore]

Yeah, UV works really well for clarification …. not sure that's ever been up to debate. It's the sterilization/parasite reduction benefits that are less clear (if you will excuse the pun).

 

[BayouReefer]

Haha well said

Yeah, UV works really well for clarification …. not sure that's ever been up to debate. It's the sterilization/parasite reduction benefits that are less clear (if you will excuse the pun).

 

[bubbaque]

Uv does work great but are you sure that is a bacterial bloom and not salt? You shouldn't get a bacterial bloom until you get some ammonia into the tank and not a freshly filled one.

 

[Jon Fishman]

I am debating on whether or not to add one with my Ozone reactor, and run it it at a very low flow for parasite control, or just stick with what I have, which has already done wonders for water clarity in 1 day

 

[LobsterOfJustice]

You will find that UV is used by most public aquariums, academic institutions, aquaculture facilities, wholesale and retail holding systems, as well as many hardcore serious hobbyists with large tanks and expensive livestock collections. It is overall well accepted, but for some reason there still exists a lot of skepticism from mainstream hobbyists.

 

[special-ops-s2k]

Uv does work great but are you sure that is a bacterial bloom and not salt? You shouldn't get a bacterial bloom until you get some ammonia into the tank and not a freshly filled one.

Yeah I was not sure why I was getting a bloom either. I don't think it's salt because the salt was mixed well and the tank ran clear with the salt mixed completely for days before the cloudiness started to appear. It was kept running in circulation for a week or so before I had time to plumb in the UV

 

[MrDellimore]

How did you size the UVs for your tank? Are you running each at a different flow?

I am very interested in this and think I will pick some up as well before I cycle my tank.

 

[special-ops-s2k]

How did you size the UVs for your tank? Are you running each at a different flow?

I am very interested in this and think I will pick some up as well before I cycle my tank.

I contacted Pentair and told them the water volume of my tank and my desire to run at a flow rate to kill marine ick and parasites. They told me the flow rate and turn over I would need and it required 2 ES50s in series. I'm running them at a faster rate now that works better for algae and bacterial blooms but once it comes time to add fish I'll drop the flow rate.

BTW for me they recommended 4gpm per ES50 so with 2 in series I can run 8gpm or 480gph... Basically turns over my entire water volume 2x per hour.

 

[MrDellimore]

Interesting! I wonder if you could run one at a high flow for parasites and the other at a lower flow to account for Algae/Bacteria

 

[flagg37]

Interesting! I wonder if you could run one at a high flow for parasites and the other at a lower flow to account for Algae/Bacteria

You can’t run them at different rates if their in series, meaning one feeds right into the other. If they were in parallel you can. I’ve been thinking of having one unit that changes flow rates between parasite rates and algae rates about every 3-4 hours.

 

[special-ops-s2k]

You can’t run them at different rates if their in series, meaning one feeds right into the other. If they were in parallel you can. I’ve been thinking of having one unit that changes flow rates between parasite rates and algae rates about every 3-4 hours.

Exactly. I could have plumbed them differently to run at separate rates but didn't as I figured most of the time I'd run at algae rates unless adding new fish then I'd slow for a few months in case any new parasites were introduced past my quarantine. But one at each rate would be interesting.

 

[wlj3]

I'm in the process of setting up my 200g display tank and after test filling and running everything while checking for leaks I seemed to develop a bacterial bloom. So today I plumbed in the UV loop and fired it up... These are the results.

1pm

4pm

6pm

10pm

Here's the UV setup. Dual Pentair 50w High Output units in series.

What did you use for the plumbing to the flexible tubing? A reducer from 2" to 1.5"?