Pentair or Aqua Ultra UV?

Badilac · Apr 2, 2020

Miller535 said:
I have a 125 Gallon. What I am more trying to rap my mind around still is the flow.

I think thr 2100 gph is a max for algae bacteria not a recommended flow rate

Correct 2100 is max for Algae. Try giving them a ring and seeing if you can talk to a tech.

Miller535 · Apr 2, 2020

Badilac said:
Correct 2100 is max for Algae. Try giving them a ring and seeing if you can talk to a tech.

They are in Cali and I am in Pa, so there's a 3 hour time difference, and I am at work. But I did E-mail their support, so hopefully one of them is bored at home and answering E-mails.

Conrad · Apr 2, 2020

Miller535 said:
That's good to know. I am looking at the 40 Watt version. And leaning towards Pentair. Even though it is about an extra 7" longer. I feel like that's more contact time.

What size tanks do you have those on?

I have the 80W on my main display 300G aquarium going up to the display. I have my 40W on 80G frag tank. They seem to do extremly well and haven't had any issues at all.

Miller535 · Apr 2, 2020

@Badilac, do you share the same opinion as the others, that a UV should be mounted horizontal? Vertical would fit much better for me.

Badilac · Apr 2, 2020

Miller535 said:
@Badilac, do you share the same opinion as the others, that a UV should be mounted horizontal? Vertical would fit much better for me.

I do think Horizontal is better. But vertical can be done no problem. Just make sure you get the air out of the system or make sure air doesn't build up during power outages and such. In other words do a test.... power on the pump for 10-30 mins with the UV vertical. Then turn the UV horizontal and see if air exits the UV. This can be easily accomplished if using clear hoses. If you aren't having issues with trapped air you will be good as gold. If air gets trapped and its a few bubbles it is not gonna hurt anything, if you are getting a huge amount of trapped air you MAY have an issue.

I HIGHLY doubt you will have enough trapped air to expose part of the bulb and create a hotspot. Same with the housing and the liners are replaced yearly so no biggie anyways. It's not like the other units where they have non-replaceable liners.

Miller535 · Apr 2, 2020

I bought the 55 Watt from Marine Depot. Unfortunately it says on their website, "Ships from Lifegard, usually within 3-5 business days". Couldn't find it anywhere faster. So it will likely be a couple of weeks until I get it.

Badilac · Apr 2, 2020

Miller535 said:
I bought the 55 Watt from Marine Depot. Unfortunately it says on their website, "Ships from Lifegard, usually within 3-5 business days". Couldn't find it anywhere faster. So it will likely be a couple of weeks until I get it.

Good choice. Amazon has the 3" housing on Prime. Says wont ship till April 23rd but I have found that to not be true on the last few items I ordered and still got in 2 days. But maybe you will get it quickly direct.

Miller535 · Apr 2, 2020

Badilac said:
Good choice. Amazon has the 3" housing on Prime. Says wont ship till April 23rd but I have found that to not be true on the last few items I ordered and still got in 2 days. But maybe you will get it quickly direct.

I believe this to be the biggest UV I can run and fit in my stand. I look forward to getting it and running it, and will definitely update with my thoughts and opinions when I get it and install it.

Conrad · Apr 2, 2020

Pentair has a lifetime warranty on the housing FYI. Also white plastic breaks down way easier/quicker as it cannot be UV protected as well as a black plastic.

• UV Resistant High Density Plastic UV Housing (Lifetime warranty against UV degradation) • Utilizes the UV lamp to its maximum potential (maximum UV exposure)

Badilac · Apr 2, 2020

Miller535 said:
I believe this to be the biggest UV I can run and fit in my stand. I look forward to getting it and running it, and will definitely update with my thoughts and opinions when I get it and install it.

Please do keep us posted. Make sure to watch the bulb / quartz sleeve install video to ensure you dont damage either.

Jaebster · Apr 3, 2020

Badilac said:
I wouldnt buy either of those honestly. I would buy the Lifegard Aquatics Pro-max UV. I highly suggest you read this 2 page thread where I post all my reasons. In short it is a better unit and more serviceable, lower yearly cost, better flexibility for mounting etc.

Can your UV sterilizer be too big?

I am currently setting up a Reefer 425XL (112 gallon total system volume) and would like to plumb in a UV sterilizer primarily as preventative for algae/bacteria/dinos but it would be great if it also prevented fish parasites. I have watched the BRS videos and read the threads I could find and...

www.reef2reef.com

I'm thinking on pulling the trigger on the Lifegard Pro Max 55Watt 3" UV. I used to have a lifegard UV of the older models 15 years ago and the quality was great. Can you post pics of the plumbing setup on yours? Interested in seeing how it was plumbed with reducers. Thanks!

Badilac · Apr 3, 2020

Jaebster said:
I'm thinking on pulling the trigger on the Lifegard Pro Max 55Watt 3" UV. I used to have a lifegard UV of the older models 15 years ago and the quality was great. Can you post pics of the plumbing setup on yours? Interested in seeing how it was plumbed with reducers. Thanks!

Excuse the mess but here are some pictures of mine. It pulls from the sump through an external pump then through the UV and returns directly into the DT through one of my two returns. My second return is the output of my chiller. I run a 1” input into the UV and 3/4” output.

Jaebster · Apr 4, 2020

Badilac said:
Excuse the mess but here are some pictures of mine. It pulls from the sump through an external pump then through the UV and returns directly into the DT through one of my two returns. My second return is the output of my chiller. I run a 1” input into the UV and 3/4” output.

Thanks! I ended up pulling the trigger on the 3" 55watt unit... and Teco Chiller 2000, and GHL 2.1 doser and GHL Maxi doser... lol.