UV Sterilizer questions

[Susan Edwards]

First time using an UV sterilizer in my 225 approx total water tank. The RS 3xl900 has 2 sumps. The UV is in the front half of the second sump so the flow into it is a bit slow (going to add a powerhead into main sump to push water into the second sump but not too much as the refugium is in the back of the UV. Pods in both sections now).

I'm using a jebao dc 10000 which is 10000 gph. The valve is more than half open and the dc pump is set at about 34%. Is this set good for algae? I still get a lot of glass dust. No algae issues in tank except the glass. 36w UV sterilizer

parameters all good. no3 5, po4 .05, alk 8.5, mg 1400, ca 420. Tank is an upgrade with new rock/sand and some old rock with corals plus old media and old rock in sump. Tank 7 weeks.

Does the flow percent look good/allright?

 

[blaxsun]

Where is the return from the UV exiting to? (the intake is in the second chamber, but where's the outtake?)

 

[Susan Edwards]

Where is the return from the UV exiting to? (the intake is in the second chamber, but where's the outtake?)

same chamber

 

[blaxsun]

same chamber

Can you take a vertical image showing the UV, pump and all the tubing? It looks like one of the hoses from the UV also connects to a manifold? Here's a recent one of mine for comparison (Sicce SDC 6 is on the bottom left beside the MarinePure bio blocks and it empties behind the skimmer/reactor chamber).

 

[MichaelReefer]

You generally dont want the intake and outake in the same chamber or you are just re cleaning water thats already clean.

 

[Susan Edwards]

Can you take a vertical image showing the UV, pump and all the tubing? It looks like one of the hoses from the UV also connects to a manifold? Here's a recent one of mine for comparison (Sicce SDC 6 is on the bottom left beside the MarinePure bio blocks and it empties behind the skimmer/reactor chamber).

It does connect to the manifold which has nothing on it atm. The main chamber didn't have room for the plumbing so the lfs did it with the manifold. So it draws and empties in the same chamber. There is a wall between the 2 sumps

manifold and uptake.

exit

intake

 

[Susan Edwards]

You generally dont want the intake and outake in the same chamber or you are just re cleaning water thats already clean.

Ugh. So I need to move the exit line into the main sump? I assume I just shut the pump, turn the gate valve off and redo the hose to a longer piece and figure out how to clamp it into the main sump. I can have it go into the skimmer area?

 

[blaxsun]

Ugh. So I need to move the exit line into the main sump? I assume I just shut the pump, turn the gate valve off and redo the hose to a longer piece and figure out how to clamp it into the main sump. I can have it go into the skimmer area?

That's why I was looking for a complete shot including the manifold, so I could see what options you have for routing it. I'm still not completely clear how you have it plumbed, but the short answer is yes - you want to empty it in your skimmer chamber.

 

[Susan Edwards]

That's why I was looking for a complete shot including the manifold, so I could see what options you have for routing it. I'm still not completely clear how you have it plumbed, but the short answer is yes - you want to empty it in your skimmer chamber.

The entire manifold runs off the UV dc pump. It is separate plumbing from the rest. The water is pumped up to the manifold from the jebeo dc pump and down the pvc pipe to the UV inlet which is at the end of the manifold and then water goes thru UV and back to tank. I can run a longer hose from the outlet through a cutout where the return plumbing on the right is and then into the skimmer chamber.

If I do this, do you think 34% is fast enough flow? Right now the pump is dedicated to the UV

 

[blaxsun]

If I do this, do you think 34% is fast enough flow? Right now the pump is dedicated to the UV

I'd need to know the flow the pump is rated for and what level of sterilization you're after, ie: algae or parasite.

 

[Susan Edwards]

I'd need to know the flow the pump is rated for and what level of sterilization you're after, ie: algae or parasite.

• Power: 80-watt 110-120v 60hz, max flow: 2640gph, max head: 19.6ft, dimension: 7x4x5 inch

Right now I'm after algae control. Esp. the glass! I can always turn it down (if I know to what) if I have parasites or turn it down with new fish. But mostly algae
And thanks

 

[blaxsun]

I forgot to ask which UV model you have.

 

[Susan Edwards]

I forgot to ask which UV model you have.

aquatop e36-uv UV eliminator series

 

[blaxsun]

It looks like you'll want to run the pump somewhere between 40-50% to get a range in the 1000-1250 Gph maximum for the UV. I couldn't find a UV radiation exposure chart anywhere, but algae is typically the maximum rated amount and parasites about half that (so you'll want 20-25% on the pump to treat things like ich and velvet).

 

[Susan Edwards]

It looks like you'll want to run the pump somewhere between 40-50% to get a range in the 1000-1250 Gph maximum for the UV. I couldn't find a UV radiation exposure chart anywhere, but algae is typically the maximum rated amount and parasites about half that (so you'll want 20-25% on the pump to treat things like ich and velvet).

do you have an UV and if yes, do you run for algae or parasites

 

[blaxsun]

do you have an UV and if yes, do you run for algae or parasites

Yes, I have an AquaUV 57-watt. It's rated for parasites @1100 Gph (90,000 microns of radiation), and I run it around @600 Gph - so almost twice the exposure.

 

[Susan Edwards]

Yes, I have an AquaUV 57-watt. It's rated for parasites @1100 Gph (90,000 microns of radiation), and I run it around @600 Gph - so almost twice the exposure.

cool. How is your algae? Like on the glass?

It looks like you'll want to run the pump somewhere between 40-50% to get a range in the 1000-1250 Gph maximum for the UV. I couldn't find a UV radiation exposure chart anywhere, but algae is typically the maximum rated amount and parasites about half that (so you'll want 20-25% on the pump to treat things like ich and velvet).

max flow is 2640gph so for algae running at 50% will be good? I know there is loss for the plumbing. I'm at 34% now so can up to maybe 40 to see how it does. Not sure I want to run at 100% power for max. But half seems reasonable?

So I'll switch the return hose to the sump, see how the algae on the glass does at 34% (to compare) and then turn it up if needed. If I have parasite issues, I can turn it down to 20-25%

 

[blaxsun]

cool. How is your algae? Like on the glass?

It's not that bad. I give it a quick scrape with the Tunze about once a week to keep it sparkly clean and drop in 20ml of Vibrant every weekend.

Other than coralline I don't really have any serious algae issues (even in the sump).

 

[oldmonk]

So i am planning a deltec 39w uv for my new system. Its rated for 1000-2000 litres and my system will be some where around 700ltrs. My plan on plumbing is intake from return and output into overflow chamber. Does this sound good?

Also deltec says to go for 80w if i aim to fight white spot. My question is , is it really needed to opt for that size? Btw there is nothing in between 39w and 80w with deltec UVs.

Recommended flow rate for 39w is 2000lph
80w is 4000lph.

Thanks

 

[Susan Edwards]

I don't know about flow rate. @blaxtron is better at that. But I'd put the intake in the skimmer chamber and the output into the return unless you are using your return pump to feed your UV? I have a dedicated pump for my manifold, which my UV is connected to. I'm still working out my flow rate needed, and need to move my pump into another chamber.