UV Plumbing Question

[Sharkman89]

Just picked up a Pentair 40 watt UV and was wondering the best way to plumb it. I will be using a separate pump for it, I know the best way would be to place the pump and return in the display tank, but i don’t think I want a Pump in the tank, the return yes. So what did you do? Pump from sump and return to display? Did you install a check valve or a drain valve for servicing later? Any help would be appreciated, pics help also.

 

[Trivan]

I pumped from the return pump, created a bypass so I can take it offline for maintenance. Don't exclude a bypass for it. I had an issue where my UV cracked (UV weaken the PVC over time) and the bypass was critical to getting flow back to the sump.

 

[rcillig]

hey installing one myself tonight, a few questions... first there is a band on the bulb holding 2 wires does it get removed? Next, the bulb will connect multiply ways to the plug.... how do I know its correct?

 

[Trivan]

I don’t recall a band, the connection is fine any way. If in doubt care Pentaire. I found their customer service excellent.

 

[rcillig]

Thanks, got it running... hope it’s working correctly...

 

[Sharkman89]

Thanks, got it running... hope it’s working correctly...

How did you plumb it? Any pics of your install?

 

[Nanojoe]

best way is to get a small pump for it. Figuring out the flow rating for some UVs can be a tough thing. Especially not exactly knowing the gph going through the UV without proper gear. Small pump, have a ball valve and dial the flow back so its coming out moderately and not too fast. Keep it all in the sump and have the outlet going to your return compartment. Be mindful UV can and will raise your Temp. Have an apex by chance?

 

[Sharkman89]

best way is to get a small pump for it. Figuring out the flow rating for some UVs can be a tough thing. Especially not exactly knowing the gph going through the UV without proper gear. Small pump, have a ball valve and dial the flow back so its coming out moderately and not too fast. Keep it all in the sump and have the outlet going to your return compartment. Be mindful UV can and will raise your Temp. Have an apex by chance?

I actually have a ReefKeeper Elite, I did get a separate DC Controllable Pump for the UV. I was thinking of putting the pump in the sump and the return to the display tank?

 

[Nanojoe]

Yeah you can absolutely do that. Id say have the return line just barley in the water. In the event you have a power outage that return line will siphon along with your return pump line too. You could have it above the water surface returning but you will see bubbles in the display from water to water contact. Thats a preference thing pretty much.

For clean looks try to keep it in the sump. Either way will work fine.

 

[Sharkman89]

I can also do that, I can put the pump in my Skimmer compartment and the return in the return compartment, I just thought BRS said not to do that?

 

[Nanojoe]

I can also do that, I can put the pump in my Skimmer compartment and the return in the return compartment, I just thought BRS said not to do that?

why did brs say that?

 

[Sharkman89]

why did brs say that?

It’s in one of their videos

 

[Sharkman89]

 

[Nanojoe]

Good food for thought on it. I get Ryans point of it not being able to process the tank correctly, i feel as though his point is theoretical.
My thing is, the uv is only suppose to process X amount of GPH. Having your UV pump say in the first chamber of your sump and returning back to your tanks return pump wouldnt make much difference as you still have to try to maintain the X value of GPH. They showed the closed loop style on the side of the tank and having the pump in the display. Wouldnt this be the same thing as not being able to filter correctly?

I think as along as the UV is returning outlet to a point where its primary pump cant suck in its product immediately, you should be fine. The water is still following a filtration flow. Everything the UV is suppose to fight is typically very microscopic so what other filtration that we use is of any benefit at this point? so you by pass your fuge section... not a huge deal. Or even if you have your UV pump after your socks... parasites can still make it through the sock section into the rest of the sump.. A lot of factors play into this..

Sorry for the long read but my brain is going a mile minute with all these factors.

 

[Sharkman89]

I get it, this is the most confused I’ve been on a piece of equipment to date. If I put a pump for the uv in the 2nd chamber where my protein Skimmer is and the return line in the 3rd chamber where my return pump is, that seems like it would work.

 

[Saltees]

I sized the UV to my desired throughput of the sump and have the DC return pump to match the flow.

100% of the water returned to the display tank passed through the UV.

 

[rcillig]

How did you plumb it? Any pics of your install?

I just got a temp config as I figure how to hard plum it in my system, with a feed pump SICCE 1.5 by my Skimmer output & dumping into my sump in my return chamber.