UV question

Breakthecycle2 · May 26, 2015

I just bought an Aqua Ultraviolet 57W UV and Eheim pump. My DT is around 200 gallons. I trust my LFS, however I think he just made a mistake? He gave me a 250GPH pump for it. That cannot be enough, can it? Shouldn't be around 500 GPH?

kschweer · May 26, 2015

looked up the wrong info my apologies. But the slower the water passes through the unit the better. You could do more but I still think you're good.

Breakthecycle2 · May 26, 2015

Really?

kschweer · May 26, 2015

The more time the water spends in front of the bulb the more effective it will be. So in my opinion a slow flow rate is fine. Just because the unit can handle more flow doesn't necessarily mean it has to. By all means get a new pump that will push more water, but I think what you have will be fine.

Breakthecycle2 · May 26, 2015

No. If you are saying it's fine, I believe you. Thanks for the advice.

kschweer · May 26, 2015

No problem. Just my opinion here. Hopefully others will chime in as well so you get other opinions as well. [HASHTAG]#reefsquad[/HASHTAG]

Shep · May 26, 2015

Slower=higher kill rate, you want enough to cycle you tank through at a nice pace but you do not want a jet stream lol I also think you will be fine

Breakthecycle2 · May 27, 2015

OK, just so everyone gets a clear picture...the water coming out isn't even filling the return tube and it's coming out at a slow trickle.

Shep · May 27, 2015

Breakthecycle2 said:
OK, just so everyone gets a clear picture...the water coming out isn't even filling the return tube and it's coming out at a slow trickle.

In that case, you might want to go a little higher but again that pump will cycle you tank about once an hour, which for a UV light is not bad.

kschweer · May 27, 2015

If that's the case I would up the flow a bit. One other question I would have is which size inlet and outlet your model has 3/4" or 2"?

kschweer · May 27, 2015

Any pictures of how it's set up?

Breakthecycle2 · May 27, 2015

I can try, but it's standing up vertically, next to the sump. One line from pump in and one line for return out.

Paul C. · May 27, 2015

Depends on what your trying to kill. Below is straight from the Aqua Ultraviolet website for your unit. Your really need to be up around 1000 gph for parasites. Hope this helps.

Classic 57 Watt
Fresh Water Sterilizer 1,500-3,000 gals / Flowrate - 3,200 gph for 30,000 µw/cm2
Fresh Water Clarifier to 6,500 gals
Salt Water Sterilizer to 355 gals / Flowrate - 1,066 gph for 90,000 µw/cm2

30,000 µw/cm2 (EOL) 3200 gph 75,000 µw/cm2 (EOL) 1280 gph
45,000 µw/cm2 (EOL) 2133 gph 90,000 µw/cm2 (EOL) 1066 gph
60,000 µw/cm2 (EOL) 1600 gph

mclark452 · May 27, 2015

You should be able to run about 600gph thru that and get the results you want.....I have the same unit

Breakthecycle2 · May 27, 2015

So, should I return this pump and get a different one?

Breakthecycle2 · May 27, 2015

Paul C. said:
Depends on what your trying to kill. Below is straight from the Aqua Ultraviolet website for your unit. Your really need to be up around 1000 gph for parasites. Hope this helps.

Classic 57 Watt
Fresh Water Sterilizer 1,500-3,000 gals / Flowrate - 3,200 gph for 30,000 µw/cm2
Fresh Water Clarifier to 6,500 gals
Salt Water Sterilizer to 355 gals / Flowrate - 1,066 gph for 90,000 µw/cm2

30,000 µw/cm2 (EOL) 3200 gph 75,000 µw/cm2 (EOL) 1280 gph
45,000 µw/cm2 (EOL) 2133 gph 90,000 µw/cm2 (EOL) 1066 gph
60,000 µw/cm2 (EOL) 1600 gph

Water clarity and disease prevention.

Paul C. · May 28, 2015

I run a 80 watt on my 200 gal and a 25 watt on my 80 gal. I run separate pumps for each of them at the flow rate for parasites. I think Aqua has done their home work as far as the flow rates, so we don't have to.