UV flow/dosage help

[Schulks]

I am considering a 15w UV sterilizer and am looking for help finding the flow rate for a UV dose of 290,000 µw/cm2.


More specifically this UV - https://www.aquacave.com/aqua-ultraviolet-15-watt-advantage-2000-in-line-uv-sterilizer.html

 

[vetteguy53081]

When I ran this size unit… I ran 250-300gph

 

[Sean Clark]

There is a reason the price difference between a 15w and a 25w uv is several hundred dollars.
One will get you to purchase it and complain that it is not effective.
The other will do what it is advertised to do.

 

[gbroadbridge]

I am considering a 15w UV sterilizer and am looking for help finding the flow rate for a UV dose of 290,000 µw/cm2.


More specifically this UV - https://www.aquacave.com/aqua-ultraviolet-15-watt-advantage-2000-in-line-uv-sterilizer.html

I think It'll be too slow to do anything useful unless you hook it up to a 5 gal vase.

Best person to ask is the manufacturer

 

[Schulks]

@Sean Clark I am actually trying to use this on a 25 gallon cube. I was hoping to get away with a smaller one for a smaller system.

but I think you're right the smaller watt units might not be able to reach the full dose.
Pentair doesn't list a flow rate for the full dose on the 18w version.

 

[gbroadbridge]

@Sean Clark I am actually trying to use this on a 25 gallon cube. I was hoping to get away with a smaller one for a smaller system.

but I think you're right the smaller watt units might not be able to reach the full dose.
Pentair doesn't list a flow rate for the full dose on the 18w version.

Yes, that's because the flow rate would be so slow that you would not turn over the tank volume fast enough to be effective.

 

[Schulks]

@gbroadbridge How much turnover do you have on your set up? With a 25 gallon it won't take much flow to turn it over as much. That was my thinking anyway.

I did email Aqua Ultraviolet just now to find out.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

I am considering a 15w UV sterilizer and am looking for help finding the flow rate for a UV dose of 290,000 µw/cm2.


More specifically this UV - https://www.aquacave.com/aqua-ultraviolet-15-watt-advantage-2000-in-line-uv-sterilizer.html

That's a pretty small unit. I'm not sure if it can obtain that kill rate, it seems to be off their chart:

Need Help Finding Correct GPH Flow for UV Sterilizer

Hi Team, I am trying to find out what GPH flow would work best for an Aqua UV 57W UV Sterilizer in a 150 Gallon tank. Can someone help with the flow needed to kill algae and the flow needed to sterilize parasites? A) Should it be the setting recommended for the 57 W in green? B) Should it be...

www.reef2reef.com

Then, even if you can reach that kill rate (say at 70 gallons per hour?) the dwell time comes into play - basically, you have to throttle back the flow so much that the parasites you are trying to control can multiply and reinfect the fish without actually passing through the unit.

Jay