Uv sterilizer flow

[firefighter0728]

I have a 100 gallon tank and want to run a uv sterilizer the coral life 9 watt says for up to 125 gallon but flow rate for bulb contact time to kill algea is 121 gph and my canister filter is 290 gph so was thinking the 6x sterilizer which is good for 250 gallon tanks would be better but still asks for 240 gph does anyone think it will still work if mybflow is 50 gph more than the recommended flow

 

[Lowell Lemon]

I have a 100 gallon tank and want to run a uv sterilizer the coral life 9 watt says for up to 125 gallon but flow rate for bulb contact time to kill algea is 121 gph and my canister filter is 290 gph so was thinking the 6x sterilizer which is good for 250 gallon tanks would be better but still asks for 240 gph does anyone think it will still work if mybflow is 50 gph more than the recommended flow

Each UV unit is designed for different purposes and some are just to clarify water of algae. You need over 90,000 micro watts per cubic milliliter to reduce or kill water born parasites. So the answer is no. If you over drive a UV sterilizer you lower the effectiveness. If you Google American Aquarium Products I think you will have one pop up in Oregon. They sell Tropic Marine Centre units that have the various ratings you are looking for flow and kill range at good prices. Skimping on a UV is like not using one at all and will just be wasted money with no protection.

 

[vetteguy53081]

You want moderate flow rate thru the bulb for maximum effectiveness. Sounds like you need a higher wattage unit, how ever if you are going to use coralife part time ( lets say 8 hrs a day), you can utilize this with at least a 100gph of constant flow pump or a pump with a flow control valve to regulate what is passing thru the unit.