UV sterilizer why is it long?

[Notsolostfish]

I bought that 40 watt for my 200 gallon systemhttps://www.bulkreefsupply.com/40-watt-classic-uv-sterilizer-black-body-aqua-ultraviolet.html and i was wondering why the 40 watt is longer than the 57 watt? And im going to use it for algae. I bought a vectra s2 pump for it controllable is that fine? Or too powerful? It shows 967 gph for sterilization

 

[Timfish]

The bulb that's being used is different. UV bulbs are flourescent bulbs without the phosphors. They can be PC bulbs, T5 bulbs or T8 bulbs.

 

[piranhaman00]

More contact time

 

[Notsolostfish]

The bulb that's being used is different. UV bulbs are flourescent bulbs without the phosphors. They can be PC bulbs, T5 bulbs or T8 bulbs.

So did i chose the right uv wattage for my tank 200g for 40 watts?

 

[Notsolostfish]

More contact time

Is the pump a good option for that uv ? The vectra s2?

 

[Notsolostfish]

The bulb that's being used is different. UV bulbs are flourescent bulbs without the phosphors. They can be PC bulbs, T5 bulbs or T8 bulbs.

Are u saying i bought the wrong one

 

[Lbrdsoxfan]

I would of got the 57w for that application, maybe even the 80w, but thats just me.

 

[Notsolostfish]

I would of got the 57w for that application, maybe even the 80w, but thats just me.

Why is that though?

 

[threebuoys]

More contact time

I agree. The effectiveness of UV depends on the strength of the bulb (wattage) and the length of exposure. Water flowing through a 12 inch tube gets twice as much exposure as through a 6 inch tube. Speed is also important to the duration of exposure. Some believe the flow through UV should be slow in order to increase duration. Base on UV studies I've seen, duration is also increased by repetitive passes. So,l if your pump is circulating at say 10 times tank volume per hour, you are getting exposure each of those passes.

 

[Lbrdsoxfan]

Why is that though?

More gallons = more wattage imho.

 

[Timfish]

So did i chose the right uv wattage for my tank 200g for 40 watts?

If you're trying ot help get rid of an ick outbreak bigger is always better. But how it's set up ahs a big influence on how effective it will be. A UV set up on the output of a return pump or set up where the supply and return are in the sump will not be very effective compared to a UV that has a dedicated pump behind the aquascaping and the returns to the dispaly tank. Too high a flow rate also will reduce the effectiveness of a UV. FOr your given tank and UV size I would select a pump that only pushes 2 turnovers an hour through it.

 

[Timfish]

Are u saying i bought the wrong one

No, just that those are the differences between the different sizes and wattages.

 

[Daenion]

Is it 200 listed volume or 200 net water volume?

I got a 160 listed and use 40 which was about middle to upper of the pack for recommended. I assume my actual volume is about 120-130.

40 for 200 is on the lower side but if you have a lot of rock should be ok. If it is 200 net then yeah that is a bit low wattage.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Wattage, bulb size and design. Some models share the same body designed for ponds.

 

[Notsolostfish]

Is it 200 listed volume or 200 net water volume?

I got a 160 listed and use 40 which was about middle to upper of the pack for recommended. I assume my actual volume is about 120-130.

40 for 200 is on the lower side but if you have a lot of rock should be ok. If it is 200 net then yeah that is a bit low wattage.

I actually returned it and im going to get a 57 watts. The reason is tje length of the UV is massive .

 

[Notsolostfish]

If you're trying ot help get rid of an ick outbreak bigger is always better. But how it's set up ahs a big influence on how effective it will be. A UV set up on the output of a return pump or set up where the supply and return are in the sump will not be very effective compared to a UV that has a dedicated pump behind the aquascaping and the returns to the dispaly tank. Too high a flow rate also will reduce the effectiveness of a UV. FOr your given tank and UV size I would select a pump that only pushes 2 turnovers an hour through it.

I returned the uv 40 watts and wrnt for a 57 i want it for algae and beside that 40 watt was absolutely massive

 

[Timfish]

I returned the uv 40 watts and wrnt for a 57 i want it for algae and beside that 40 watt was absolutely massive

It's really whatever you think is going to be the easiest. FOr your size tank either would work fine for ich or algae.