UV-C 265nm sterilizer DIY

[CayeCaulker]

Looking at options for these and they are all expensive.

Researched LED's and they are very expensive and have low power in this frequency.
$12 for a 100mw chip cannot compete against tubes. Especially for a system that will only be run intermittently and power consumption is not a concern.
I was thinking about drilling out some PVC and using silicone to glue a tube through a pipe. This will only be on intermittently and probably only during the tank's early days,.

Does anyone know of a chart for water flow/lumens output to calculate the proper wattage?

I was thinking about installing this filter in front of the carbon but after the prefilters to prolong the life of the carbon when using it. to prevent biofilm build-up.

It also looks like reflectors are a waste of time at these frequencies. Stainless does not do a good job and the tube will be in direct contact with water flow.

 

[AJsReef]

Pentair;
Protozoa
180,000 µWs/cm² Suggested/Maximum

Algae and Bacteria 30,000 µWs/cm² Suggested/Maximum

 

[theatrus]

Looking at options for these and they are all expensive.

Researched LED's and they are very expensive and have low power in this frequency.
$12 for a 100mw chip cannot compete against tubes. Especially for a system that will only be run intermittently and power consumption is not a concern.
I was thinking about drilling out some PVC and using silicone to glue a tube through a pipe. This will only be on intermittently and probably only during the tank's early days,.

Does anyone know of a chart for water flow/lumens output to calculate the proper wattage?

I was thinking about installing this filter in front of the carbon but after the prefilters to prolong the life of the carbon when using it. to prevent biofilm build-up.

It also looks like reflectors are a waste of time at these frequencies. Stainless does not do a good job and the tube will be in direct contact with water flow.

Also be careful with plastics. They are not UV stable by default, and often need to be pigmented or otherwise modified for UV stability.

 

[CayeCaulker]

Also be careful with plastics. They are not UV stable by default, and often need to be pigmented or otherwise modified for UV stability.

yes! good point.

 

[CayeCaulker]

Pentair;
Protozoa
180,000 µWs/cm² Suggested/Maximum

Algae and Bacteria 30,000 µWs/cm² Suggested/Maximum

Thank you so much.

I am trying to get my head wrapped around this. I am not a mathematician. 1cm2 that is the speed of the water correct?

How much volume and contact time at what lumans? What does cm/2 mean in relation to flow rate? I guess that answer still leaves me somewhat confused

 

[theatrus]

Thank you so much.

I am trying to get my head wrapped around this. I am not a mathematician. 1cm2 that is the speed of the water correct?

How much volume and contact time at what lumans? What does cm/2 mean in relation to flow rate? I guess that answer still leaves me somewhat confused

cm2 is area. Micro-watt-seconds is energy. If you’re running flow, you can move the time component around and solve for power.

I’m not familiar enough with the rest of it to understand the surface area vs volume here - transmission isn’t 100% in a volume, so it quickly gets a little tricky to solve for that (and figuring out what the constant is)

 

[CayeCaulker]

I found some pond UV units real cheep. It may be easier to just buy one of those

 

[theatrus]

I found some pond UV units real cheep. It may be easier to just buy one of those

The large pond sterilizers are a bargain. The plastic housing is marginal at best, but they do work.

I've used them to clear out dino.

 

[Lbrdsoxfan]

The large pond sterilizers are a bargain. The plastic housing is marginal at best, but they do work.

I've used them to clear out dino.

Up until the past year, I used a 36w Jebao uv sterilizer, ran a 200 gph pump on it, and it did a great job with keeping ich in check and the water clear. The plastic is hokey and make sure you never let the pump die when the bulb is on (they get HOT quick). I Only went to a 40w Aqua Uv due to getting it for total investment at 1/4 the retail price.