UV Question

[JoshKReef]

I am considering adding a UV sterilizer to my system and have seen different opinions about how big of one I need.

It is a mixed reef, running a 800 gph return pump. According to Aqua UV's chart, I should aim for the 30,000 - 45,000 uw/cm2 sections of their chart, which is the 25W UV system.

Does anyone have any info beside what the manufacturer recommends?

 

[UCF Alum]

I run UV’s on my tanks. My first question is how many gallons is your tank.

Second- what will you be using the UV sterilizer for? Parasites? Bacteria? Algae? All three?

 

[JoshKReef]

I run UV’s on my tanks. My first question is how many gallons is your tank.

Second- what will you be using the UV sterilizer for? Parasites? Bacteria? Algae? All three?

It's a reefer 350, 73 display, 18 sump, 91 total. All three. Right now I have no major issues with any of these, but want to get it in place before any of them do become an issue.

 

[EmdeReef]

It's a reefer 350, 73 display, 18 sump, 91 total. All three. Right now I have no major issues with any of these, but want to get it in place before any of them do become an issue.

Keep in mind it won't replace quarantine for most serious parasites etc. Based on research on ich for example the quantity needed to kill it is about 2-3x higher than the properly sized Pentair. It's probably good for water clarity, controlling algae etc.

 

[JoshKReef]

Keep in mind it won't replace quarantine for most serious parasites etc. Based on research on ich for example the quantity needed to kill it is about 2-3x higher than the properly sized Pentair. It's probably good for water clarity, controlling algae etc.

After my first ich outbreak, and going fallow for the required period, I am QTing everything.

I am TTMing and have a black molly in my final QT to check before I add to DT.

 

[EmdeReef]

After my first ich outbreak, and going fallow for the required period, I am QTing everything.

I am TTMing and have a black molly in my final QT to check before I add to DT.

Best way to go!
I'm sure you'll get great and valuable perspectives on UV here. My 2c is that it's in the "nice to have" but far from necessary category.

 

[UCF Alum]

A 25 watt bulb will suffice. Keep in mind that the most important thing is the amount of water that is in contact with the light, and for how long. For parasites you want to run around 150-175 GPH. Things like algae etc would be mutilated at about 400gph. Thats all on a single pass through.

 

[JoshKReef]

A 25 watt bulb will suffice. Keep in mind that the most important thing is the amount of water that is in contact with the light, and for how long. For parasites you want to run around 150-175 GPH. Things like algae etc would be mutilated at about 400gph. Thats all on a single pass through.

Hmm, so this can't just be run on the return line?

Based on this chart, I thought I would be able to run this on my return line:

 

[UCF Alum]

Hmm, so this can't just be run on the return line?

Based on this chart, I thought I would be able to run this on my return line:

You can but it would defeat the purpose of your 800gph return pump. Essentially rendering the sterilizer useless. I run a simple Cobalt in-line return pump that gives the tank about 175gph return on its own dedicated line.

You could always get a bigger pump and hook up a reactor with GFO in-line before it goes through the light. Just make sure you’re always putting filtered water through the sterilizer.

 

[JoshKReef]

You can but it would defeat the purpose of your 800gph return pump. Essentially rendering the sterilizer useless. I run a simple Cobalt in-line return pump that gives the tank about 175gph return on its own dedicated line.

You could always get a bigger pump and hook up a reactor with GFO in-line before it goes through the light. Just make sure you’re always putting filtered water through the sterilizer.

I am not understanding why this would make the uv useless? If I'm reading the chart correctly isn't it recommended to go between 800 and 1200 gallons per hour

 

[UCF Alum]

45,000 uw/cm2 is 290gph

 

[UCF Alum]

And this