UV light return and flow help

MarineREEFpassion · May 3, 2020

Ok I need some helpful pointers and direction from my reefing friends that have experience with plumbing UV sterilizers.
so I have a rollermat in place of filter socks that has a max GPH of 700. The UV light is setup on its own return pump, closed circuit set up that requires 2200 GPH for my desired treatment. When I turned on the pump it instantly overfilled my overflow and was putting way too much water into my rollermat. How the heck can I or should I plumb this thing so it won’t affect my rollermat flow and overload my overflow? I have the Eshopps (L) overflow box, but it’s only rated at like 1250 GPH. My brain hurts thinking about this over the weekend lol.

lapin · May 3, 2020

Why do you need 2200 gph?
Thats a lot for a UV.
How big is that tank.

Mastiffsrule · May 3, 2020

lapin said:
Why do you need 2200 gph?
Thats a lot for a UV.
How big is that tank.

Hi,

Agreed, around 800 should be good for water clarity and algae. Slower for parasites

MarineREEFpassion · May 3, 2020

lapin said:
Why do you need 2200 gph?
Thats a lot for a UV.
How big is that tank.

So i have 150 total gallons, 120 DT. I have the Pentair 80W I’ve light it’s rated up to 600 gallon tank. If I went by their flow rate chart for bacterial prevention. It shows 30k flow is 2700-3600 GPH. Now I didn’t think about the tank size of 600 until now on that flow chart lol. Since I have 150 total volume should I divide that flow by 3 since that is roughly 3 times my tank size?

Jaebster · May 3, 2020

MarineREEFpassion said:
So i have 150 total gallons, 120 DT. I have the Pentair 80W I’ve light it’s rated up to 600 gallon tank. If I went by their flow rate chart for bacterial prevention. It shows 30k flow is 2700-3600 GPH. Now I didn’t think about the tank size of 600 until now on that flow chart lol. Since I have 150 total volume should I divide that flow by 3 since that is roughly 3 times my tank size?

No, you should follow the manufacturers recommendations. Because your tank size is that much smaller, you dont divide the recommended flow rate by that amount. Technically, you can reduce your flow rate which will increase contact time. This lower flow rate (check manufacturer) may also kill protozoans, etc. However,, for issues like bacteria and algaes, you want as much flow as possible because they reproduce so quickly.
I think the issue that ur having is more related to how you UV is plumbed.

MarineREEFpassion · May 3, 2020

Jaebster said:
No, you should follow the manufacturers recommendations. Because your tank size is that much smaller, you dont divide the recommended flow rate by that amount. Technically, you can reduce your flow rate which will increase contact time. This lower flow rate (check manufacturer) may also kill protozoans, etc. However,, for issues like bacteria and algaes, you want as much flow as possible because they reproduce so quickly.
I think the issue that ur having is more related to how you UV is plumbed.

Yes that is the point of this post is trying to figure out the plumbing so that it doesn’t overflow my overflow or my rollermat. I was hoping to get advise from those out here that have success in the plumbing aspect of UV lights. I know it’s best to have the return of the UV go back into the DT, but with the flow being too much I need ideas on how to work through that issue.

Jaebster · May 3, 2020

MarineREEFpassion said:
Yes that is the point of this post is trying to figure out the plumbing so that it doesn’t overflow my overflow or my rollermat. I was hoping to get advise from those out here that have success in the plumbing aspect of UV lights. I know it’s best to have the return of the UV go back into the DT, but with the flow being too much I need ideas on how to work through that issue.

Best to do is to plumb the UV back to your sump, since the pump that's feeding you UV is pulling water from the sump.

MarineREEFpassion · May 3, 2020

Jaebster said:
Best to do is to plumb the UV back to your sump, since the pump that's feeding you UV is pulling water from the sump.

See that’s what I was going to do, but after watching the BRStv video on UV lights Ryan said in order for it to be effective is to run it back to the DT. I wish he would have touched base on the overflow in that episode. But it might be the only way I can utilize it to use with my current overflow box. Thanks for the reply!

Jaebster · May 3, 2020

MarineREEFpassion said:
See that’s what I was going to do, but after watching the BRStv video on UV lights Ryan said in order for it to be effective is to run it back to the DT. I wish he would have touched base on the overflow in that episode. But it might be the only way I can utilize it to use with my current overflow box. Thanks for the reply!

I believe they mention "closed loop" in the DT... that would mean that water is directly taken from DT to feed the UV and return to DT.

MarineREEFpassion · May 4, 2020

Jaebster said:
I believe they mention "closed loop" in the DT... that would mean that water is directly taken from DT to feed the UV and return to DT.

Oh yep your right. I just went and rewatched the video. See that’s why I enjoy this site. Helpful people. Thank you very much! I might look into getting another UV light to do that closed loop Igor the DT. Once you said that the fog in my head was clear lol. Thanks again!