Is this UV sterilizer appropriate for me?

ExpensiveHobby · May 16, 2016

I have a 130 gallon FOWLR with total volume about 160 gallon. A local friend has broke down his reef and is selling this UV sterilizer with wiper for $150 with a mag 3 pump included.

http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_viewit...FQMQaQod9f4JnQ

I have never owned a UV before and trying to match the flow rates and size of the system is extremely confusing to me. My ultimate goal would be to kill parasites and help clear the water in the system. From what I'm reading too much UV can be harmful and kill all the beneficial bacteria.

Is this an appropriately sized unit for my tank or too big?

Cory · May 16, 2016

Look at it like this, the less wattage, the less zapping power. But you can compensate by using a slower flow. Higher wattage means quicker kill rate, becaise its brighter, so more flow can pass through it.

Id just use what he gave you.

NeptuneGarden · May 16, 2016

No UV does not kill good bacteria. It does, but your good bacteria is in the rocks, not the water. Just don't use one while cycling a new tank.
40Watt UV on a 130 gallon will kill bacteria like Fin Rot, but won't do anything against Ich or Velvet which are protozoa.

$150 with a pump is a good deal. Make sure to check the inner crystal sleeve for any damage or mineral build up, replace the bulb with new and you're good to go. Make sure to keep the crystal sleeve ultra clean and the bulb replaced annually for best results.

ExpensiveHobby · May 16, 2016

NeptuneGarden said:
No UV does not kill good bacteria. It does, but your good bacteria is in the rocks, not the water. Just don't use one while cycling a new tank.
40Watt UV on a 130 gallon will kill bacteria like Fin Rot, but won't do anything against Ich or Velvet which are protozoa.

$150 with a pump is a good deal. Make sure to check the inner crystal sleeve for any damage or mineral build up, replace the bulb with new and you're good to go. Make sure to keep the crystal sleeve ultra clean and the bulb replaced annually for best results.

Will it also help the water look more clear?
Also, the Mag 3 is 350 GPH, would throttling that back some allowing longer contact time be able to kill ich and velvet or would that require a bigger wattage unit altogether?

ExpensiveHobby · May 16, 2016

So i called AquaUV and told them my tank was 150 gallons total and she said the bare minimum their 40 watt sterilizer can take is 950GPH.... no way im doing that

NeptuneGarden · May 17, 2016

She has no idea what she is talking about. I think she meant the maximum flow rate would be 950gph.

UV will only make the water look clear if it is cloudy from algae or a bacteria bloom from an ammonia spike. It does help raise ORP which in turn will keep the water clearer, but this is a side benefit more than anything.

If you really want to kill Ich and Velvet then you have to go BIG. dual 80watt HO UV's plumbed in parallel.

You want to turn over tank volume through the UV at about 2-4x per hour. so a 130gallon needs 300-400gph give of take through the UV.
Now you need a UV that will provide enough UV-C exposure at those flow rates. A single 80watt HO would be the bare minimum and a pair would be better. ($700 UV each - ouch)

The 40watt with the Mag3 pump throttled back a little is fine for your tank. It will keep bacteria blooms of both good and bad bacteria in check, keep ORP up, and just help with long term health of the tank.

ExpensiveHobby · May 17, 2016

So I talked to the guy selling the UV. He said he ran this unit on his 240 gallon that was plumbed with a 75 gallon sump and 90 frag tank. So about 400 gallons. He said his fish looked great but when he shut down the UV for a couple days to change the bulb that within 3 days his tang developed spots on his body. He reinstalled the UV and a few days later it was gone. I just offered $125 for it. If he says yes I'll try it out. If not I'll move on from the idea and just stick to QT and prazipro/cupramine prophylactics

NeptuneGarden · May 17, 2016

A UV light does not replace a good QT and dip regime.

There is a great misunderstanding about UV out there, which is why it gets bashed a lot. It's a tool. Just like a skimmer, or carbon, or whatever. Lots of people run tanks without a UV or skimmer or carbon and lots of people do.

The tool UV system provide are in keeping outbreaks from going exponential. It wont cure Ich or Velvet. The fishes own immune system has to do that at the end of the day. But since we run small closed systems it is very easy for pest population levels to go exponential very quickly, which it makes it all but impossible for the fish to fight off the disease. A properly sized and flow rated UV light will stop that. This reduces stress on the fish allowing it to deal with parasite with its immune system. Some medications can not be used in conjunction with one, so just make sure to read your labels.

Whatever was going on with your friends Tang, I doubt the UV was really doing anything.

You might consider just putting that 40W on your QT tank. That is what I would do. 40watt UV on a 40-50 gallon tank at 100gph. Good QT sterilizer.

ExpensiveHobby · May 18, 2016

I talked the guy down to $125 for the UV with pump. At that price I cant go wrong. If after a few months it isnt doing anything I can sell it and get my money back