Uv sterilizer and flow rate

[Leeland]

Hello i recently purchased a new 55 watt lifegard aquatics amglam uv sterilizer. I didn't see any flow rate listed for parasite control. The only flow rate listed is for algae control. My systems rough capacity is 210 gallons when including the sump what should my flow rate be right now i am using a neptune systems flow sensor and i am running it at 150 gph is that too slow? What flow rate is best?

 

[blaxsun]

Yes, 150Gph is too slow. I have a 57-watt on my 200-gallon system and I run it between 650-850Gph for parasite control.

 

[Sleepingtiger]

Yes, 150Gph is too slow. I have a 57-watt on my 200-gallon system and I run it between 650-850Gph for parasite control.

That is fast. I got the lifegard 90w and my flow is around 300gph. That was calculated using the 280,000 uw/cm required to kill cryto. Now some folks say 72,000-100,000. I am going with what Jay Hemdal said at 280,000

Hello i recently purchased a new 55 watt lifegard aquatics amglam uv sterilizer. I didn't see any flow rate listed for parasite control. The only flow rate listed is for algae control. My systems rough capacity is 210 gallons when including the sump what should my flow rate be right now i am using a neptune systems flow sensor and i am running it at 150 gph is that too slow? What flow rate is best?

Based on what I read online. Lifegard states that to kill algae, the flow rate is 2100gph. Algae kill contact time is around 30,000 uw/cm at 2100gph. 30,000/280,000*2,100= 225gph

 

[ThaBeast]

You want UVC exposure to be 180,000 *w/cm2 for parasite control. That unit is rated for 30,000 at 2100 gph, so to get to parasite level control 2100/6 = 350 gph flow rate for the 55w Lifegard

Edit I didn’t realize Jay recommended to be at 280,000. I would run at the 225 instead. Going to adjust my flow rate down just to be safe

 

[blaxsun]

That is fast. I got the lifegard 90w and my flow is around 300gph. That was calculated using the 280,000 uw/cm required to kill cryto. Now some folks say 72,000-100,000. I am going with what Jay Hemdal said at 280,000

Based on what I read online. Lifegard states that to kill algae, the flow rate is 2100gph. Algae kill contact time is around 30,000 uw/cm at 2100gph. 30,000/280,000*2,100= 225gph

I based mine off 90,000 uw/cm (sterilization), but I'm actually running closer to 140,000 uw/cm. I'm sure a lower flow rate is fine as well.

 

[Mark Goode]

Doesn't lower flow rate = greater dwell time = greater kill rate? Within reason, of course.

 

[Sleepingtiger]

I based mine off 90,000 uw/cm (sterilization), but I'm actually running closer to 140,000 uw/cm. I'm sure a lower flow rate is fine as well.

I think Jay mentioned that the lower number is for freshwater ich not marine ich.

Doesn't lower flow rate = greater dwell time = greater kill rate? Within reason, of course.

Yes, more contact time the better the chance it kills.

 

[The_Paradox]

Yes, more contact time the better the chance it kills.

Correct. But it is total dose not single exposure.

 

[Sleepingtiger]

You want UVC exposure to be 180,000 *w/cm2 for parasite control. That unit is rated for 30,000 at 2100 gph, so to get to parasite level control 2100/6 = 350 gph flow rate for the 55w Lifegard

Edit I didn’t realize Jay recommended to be at 280,000. I would run at the 225 instead. Going to adjust my flow rate down just to be safe

I have gone through 3 uv units on my 200g system. All were set to 280,000 uw/cm2

Aqua Ultraviolet 25W - Fish were covered in velvet and ich under blue lights. No deaths. A few fish had a smaller appetite. Lots of fish stopping by cleaner shrimp cleaning station. Even some fish were fighting each other for cleaning.

Pentair 40W - slight coverage of ich under blue lights. No deaths. Healthy appetite.

Lifegard 90W - no signs of ich. Fish are extremely active. Cleaner shrimp has since closed shop. .

 

[Sleepingtiger]

Correct. But it is total dose not single exposure.

I would think at 280,000 uw/cm2, that the kill rate is 100%

 

[The_Paradox]

I would think at 280,000 uw/cm2, that the kill rate is 100%

99.9 repeating so several log reduction yes. I was saying it doesn’t matter if it gets a lethal dose in one pass or ten. As long as it gets a lethal dose.

 

[Leeland]

So what is the correct flow rate for protecting my fish from ich and velvet?

 

[Leeland]

So what is the correct flow rate for protecting my fish from ich and velvet is there a good sold number to aim for

 

[The_Paradox]

So what is the correct flow rate for protecting my fish from ich and velvet is there a good sold number to aim for

It’s irrelevant. The total dose in this case (closed system) will be determined by the emitter not the pump.

 

[Sleepingtiger]

So what is the correct flow rate for protecting my fish from ich and velvet?

using the numbers presented by Jay, you would need to run it at 225gph.

99.9 repeating so several log reduction yes. I was saying it doesn’t matter if it gets a lethal dose in one pass or ten. As long as it gets a lethal dose.

that's the argument right? kill on the first pass or kill on multiple passes using higher flow.

Me, i prefer a higher output UV that allows me to have higher flow rates but still kill on the first pass.

 

[The_Paradox]

Me, i prefer a higher output UV that allows me to have higher flow rates but still kill on the first pass.

For most it’s probably going to boil down to how many hours a day they run UV and how much heat their set up can shed assuming it’s summer. Both ways achieve the same thing.

 

[Sleepingtiger]

For most it’s probably going to boil down to how many hours a day they run UV and how much heat their set up can shed assuming it’s summer. Both ways achieve the same thing.

i run mine 24/7. I think the people who runs their UV on a schedule would be people who try to control algae.

I would even think about increasing my UV size as I increase the numbers of fish.

 

[Reefer911]

I have gone through 3 uv units on my 200g system. All were set to 280,000 uw/cm2

Aqua Ultraviolet 25W - Fish were covered in velvet and ich under blue lights. No deaths. A few fish had a smaller appetite. Lots of fish stopping by cleaner shrimp cleaning station. Even some fish were fighting each other for cleaning.

Pentair 40W - slight coverage of ich under blue lights. No deaths. Healthy appetite.

Lifegard 90W - no signs of ich. Fish are extremely active. Cleaner shrimp has since closed shop. .

On your 25w, what was the flow rate to get that 280,000, if you remember?

 

[WhatCouldGoWrong71]

I think Jay mentioned that the lower number is for freshwater ich not marine ich.


Yes, more contact time the better the chance it kills.

Can someone explain how the math works for me? I have a 40W and a 130g system. At what flow rates would I go to attack ich, dinos or Algae, I know they are all different. I just want to under stand what you guys are talking about.

 

[Reefer911]

Yeah I’d say estimate with a bucket. I agree, there’s no way 54gph is correct