UV Sterilizer

[M1i1t1c1h1]

I am currently in the market for a UV sterilizer. I am looking at the AquaUV Classic Series UV Sterilizer 25 watt to accomodate a 125 gallon tank with a 40 gallon sump/refugium. My target is to mainly run the sterilizer for the intended purpose of killing algae blooms. I am a little bit troubled as to which option I am supposed to choose from. The sizing options for this UV sterilizer as 3/4", 1", 1 1/2", and 2" (I am assuming this is the diameter however it doesn't actually say).
I am having an issue understanding which option I am supposed to choose. Their online sizing chart is complicated. I don't understand how miliwatts/cm2 correlates to GPH/flow rate. Can someone please explain how to figure this out?
Also, if I have a 125g tank, and 40 gallon sump, will a 25w UV Sterilizer (website says it can handle up to 150g) be too small? Or should I opt for the next size up?

 

[fishguy242]

i cannot ,but can tell you ,coralife turbo twists are tried n true in my book

 

[M1i1t1c1h1]

i cannot ,but can tell you ,coralife turbo twists are tried n true in my book

I am interested... Why do you like the coralife more than the aquauv?

 

[fishguy242]

honestly ..price point, reliability,

 

[Don Lidtke]

I have used all of these on my 25 quarantine tanks and the only one that has worked is the Pentair.

The Lifeguard kept burning out transformers and the IM didn’t have enough flow.

Of course the Pentair is substantial more expensive but it has help clear up several cases of fungus infection on two of my last batches of fish in quarantine. To me it has be worth the money.

Innovative Marine AUQA SHIELD UV STERILIZER DESKTOP - 9W

Lifegard Aquatics AquaStep Pro UV Sterilizer - 15W

Pentair Aquatics SMART UV 18 WATT

 

[vetteguy53081]

Some mentioned are low end chinese builds. I personally like the AquaUV and Aquanetics brand for reliability

 

[Badilac]

This article may help.

UV Sterilizers, which unit to choose and why?

With the recent buzz around UV Sterilizers thanks to a few videos from industry giants I have seen a lot more people talking about UV's. Naturally most people purchase what these industry leaders push / sell which is fine and dandy, but I suggest everyone do their own research. When selecting...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[Fred2482]

+1 on Pentair Aquatics. I have tried a few and have never had any issues with this brand. I usually go one up from max recommended aquarium size (just my opinion).

 

[piranhaman00]

If your just trying to clarify the water (not sterilize) you can go with a cheaper unit if desired. I would not use jebao UV as they have shown to degrade over time and leak plastic into the water.

That being said, the AquaUV and Pentair are great units, I have both and like them equally, the Pentair is massive and such I believe a better unit (more contact time).

The sizing options you listed are simply the input and output fittings. The sterilizer body size does not change. Choose a fitting size that works with your current plumbing. I would go with PVC push fittings myself and hard plumb (pvc cement). But you can use hosebarb fittings as well.

Their sizing chart (link) shows what gph through the unit to get the desired uw/cm2. It is quite simple really.

Uw/cm2 is the amount of UV energy being transmitted to the water. So the slower your pump water through the UV the higher the energy received. More energy is required to mutate (kill) protozoa than bacteria. Bacteria being single celled, die almost instantly. This is why cheap UVs work for water clarity, doesn't require much.

Using the 25 Watt sterilizer, push the indicated gph through it to achieve the listed uw/cm2. If you just want clear water/destroy algae, use 1200gph, this will turn your tank over about 10x/hour and you will be crystal clear!

If you want help with protozoa (ich) then slow it down. AquaUV states 90,000uw/cm2 can kill ich, Pentair states 180,000uw/cm2. There really isnt proven answer as the data has been extrapolated from freshwater, some sources even say 1,000,000uw/cm2 is necessary.

Here is where pentair shines as there units are much larger for the same wattage as aquaUV so more contact time which equals higher uw/cm2. Of course, this is just for your knowledge as if you just want clarity you can basically just pump as much water through as possible, the UV will destroy bacteria/algae quickly!

The 25 watt will work for clarity absolutely,

Ask any more questions if you have any! You made a good choice, UV are so nice to have! You will love it.

 

[Dj City]

Coralife turbo twist is absolute expensive garbage. Please don't waste your money on that junk.

Pentair aquatics is the way to go if you really want a unit the works but you HAVE to install it properly AND have the correct flow going through it in order for it to work.
Otherwise, you are just wasting time, money and effort.

 

[M1i1t1c1h1]

If your just trying to clarify the water (not sterilize) you can go with a cheaper unit if desired. I would not use jebao UV as they have shown to degrade over time and leak plastic into the water.

That being said, the AquaUV and Pentair are great units, I have both and like them equally, the Pentair is massive and such I believe a better unit (more contact time).

The sizing options you listed are simply the input and output fittings. The sterilizer body size does not change. Choose a fitting size that works with your current plumbing. I would go with PVC push fittings myself and hard plumb (pvc cement). But you can use hosebarb fittings as well.

Their sizing chart (link) shows what gph through the unit to get the desired uw/cm2. It is quite simple really.

Uw/cm2 is the amount of UV energy being transmitted to the water. So the slower your pump water through the UV the higher the energy received. More energy is required to mutate (kill) protozoa than bacteria. Bacteria being single celled, die almost instantly. This is why cheap UVs work for water clarity, doesn't require much.

Using the 25 Watt sterilizer, push the indicated gph through it to achieve the listed uw/cm2. If you just want clear water/destroy algae, use 1200gph, this will turn your tank over about 10x/hour and you will be crystal clear!

If you want help with protozoa (ich) then slow it down. AquaUV states 90,000uw/cm2 can kill ich, Pentair states 180,000uw/cm2. There really isnt proven answer as the data has been extrapolated from freshwater, some sources even say 1,000,000uw/cm2 is necessary.

Here is where pentair shines as there units are much larger for the same wattage as aquaUV so more contact time which equals higher uw/cm2. Of course, this is just for your knowledge as if you just want clarity you can basically just pump as much water through as possible, the UV will destroy bacteria/algae quickly!

The 25 watt will work for clarity absolutely,

Ask any more questions if you have any! You made a good choice, UV are so nice to have! You will love it.

Thanks for all the info! Definitely the most useful information I've gotten regarding UV sterilizers.
What I am aiming for is to get a sterilizer for my main tank specifically to make it crystal clear. That being said I think that the AuquaUV will do the trick. I plan on getting a smaller sized sterilizer for a hospital/quarantine tank down the road. It's purpose will be to assist in the killing/preventing the reproduction of parasites and other fish related illnesses. I think a Pentair would work best for this application.
Thanks for the advice!! You definitely helped clear things up for me.

 

[piranhaman00]

Thanks for all the info! Definitely the most useful information I've gotten regarding UV sterilizers.
What I am aiming for is to get a sterilizer for my main tank specifically to make it crystal clear. That being said I think that the AuquaUV will do the trick. I plan on getting a smaller sized sterilizer for a hospital/quarantine tank down the road. It's purpose will be to assist in the killing/preventing the reproduction of parasites and other fish related illnesses. I think a Pentair would work best for this application.
Thanks for the advice!! You definitely helped clear things up for me.

Awesome, glad to help! UV is very interesting to me!

Yes, the AquaUV will work great. Plus, they have great customer service and getting parts for their sterilizers is easy. If you want it to change function down the road, you also will have that option.

I always thought about doing a QT process with only UV, interesting idea, but exactly as you stated, only to assist.

 

[M1i1t1c1h1]

I've been doing a bit more research on different brands. Does anyone have any thoughts about the Liveguard UZ Sterilizers? I am looking at their Lifeguard PRO-MAX 3" high output standard germicidal UV sterilizer 40 watt which can handle up to 250 gallons (more than enough for me). I see that it is pretty versatile in terms of getting new replacement parts. It comes with a mounting brackets as well as a UV light timer. Does anyone have any information regarding quality? I am hesitant because it looks like it is cheaper than other brands yet says it has more to offer...

 

[piranhaman00]

I've been doing a bit more research on different brands. Does anyone have any thoughts about the Liveguard UZ Sterilizers? I am looking at their Lifeguard PRO-MAX 3" high output standard germicidal UV sterilizer 40 watt which can handle up to 250 gallons (more than enough for me). I see that it is pretty versatile in terms of getting new replacement parts. It comes with a mounting brackets as well as a UV light timer. Does anyone have any information regarding quality? I am hesitant because it looks like it is cheaper than other brands yet says it has more to offer...

You need to find information regarding the uw/cm2. If not provided, that explains the quality of the product usually. Like I said above, for clarifying you can use basically any UV system. I will also note the timer is useless, the UV should be left on 24/7 for effect and bulb life.

 

[Badilac]

You need to find information regarding the uw/cm2. If not provided, that explains the quality of the product usually. Like I said above, for clarifying you can use basically any UV system. I will also note the timer is useless, the UV should be left on 24/7 for effect and bulb life.

LOTS of people have Lifegard including myself. It is not some new company or knock off product. They have been in the UV business for a very long time. They are high quality units and all numbers are published, if you have other questions they will reply to emails or phones calls. Parts are available and easily found online or at pond supply stores. I outline a lot of these things in the article I posted above.

 

[Badilac]

I will also note the timer is useless, the UV should be left on 24/7 for effect and bulb life.

It is far from useless. I guess you haven't seen the unit nor do you understand the point. But it is a reverse day meter, counting down from 365 days. The point is so at any given time you know when maintenance is due on the unit / bulb. Rather than depending on memory or a mark on a calendar you always know how many days you have left until its due for a bulb change.

 

[M1i1t1c1h1]

You need to find information regarding the uw/cm2. If not provided, that explains the quality of the product usually. Like I said above, for clarifying you can use basically any UV system. I will also note the timer is useless, the UV should be left on 24/7 for effect and bulb life.

Sorry I should clarify: the time is a bulb life timer, not an on/off timer. It counts down to indicate bulb life.
It also does list the uw/cm2 on it (1200 gph for algae and bacteria).
I want to try to get more reviews on this product. I can look up specs for the sterilizer all day long but nothing beats consumer reviews!

 

[Badilac]

Sorry I should clarify: the time is a bulb life timer, not an on/off timer. It counts down to indicate bulb life.
It also does list the uw/cm2 on it (1200 gph for algae and bacteria).
I want to try to get more reviews on this product. I can look up specs for the sterilizer all day long but nothing beats consumer reviews!

If you haven't yet I suggest you do a search on here for terms such as "Lifegard", "Promax", or "Pro-max". I highly doubt you will find anyone with any negative reviews. I know since I did my article a bunch of people have purchased Lifegards and reached out to me thanking me for the help. I would also highly recommend PM'ing a few of them asking them for their opinions. I also commend you for doing the research in advance. Lots of people have been unhappy with there purchases and wished they had done more research in advance.

 

[piranhaman00]

LOTS of people have Lifegard including myself. It is not some new company or knock off product. They have been in the UV business for a very long time. They are high quality units and all numbers are published, if you have other questions they will reply to emails or phones calls. Parts are available and easily found online or at pond supply stores. I outline a lot of these things in the article I posted above.

Well then that speaks for the quality! If they have all there data published then I would trust the product, if they didnt I would not is what I was saying. I didnt search for the data is all

It is far from useless. I guess you haven't seen the unit nor do you understand the point. But it is a reverse day meter, counting down from 365 days. The point is so at any given time you know when maintenance is due on the unit / bulb. Rather than depending on memory or a mark on a calendar you always know how many days you have left until its due for a bulb change.

I misunderstood, I thought it was a timer for turning the bulb on and off, my apologies. That would be very helpful actually in knowing the bulbs life although keeping track is not hard.

Sorry I should clarify: the time is a bulb life timer, not an on/off timer. It counts down to indicate bulb life.
It also does list the uw/cm2 on it (1200 gph for algae and bacteria).
I want to try to get more reviews on this product. I can look up specs for the sterilizer all day long but nothing beats consumer reviews!

Ya then you have your answer! Published data is good, sounds like a great unit.

 

[M1i1t1c1h1]

I have done more research on the Lifeguard and I think I am going to go for it. Does anyone know of any Canadian suppliers that sell Lifeguard sterilizers?