UV water flow

[arvind]

Hello all,

I want to hook up a 57W UV filter to a 150g+ aquarium. Below are the specs of the UV filter.

Recommended Flow Rate for UV Dosages	at 30,000 µw/cm2 (EOL) GPH: 3,200 (Max Flow Rate) at 45,000 µw/cm2 (EOL) GPH: 2,133 at 60,000 µw/cm2 (EOL) GPH: 1,600 at 75,000 µw/cm2 (EOL) GPH: 1,280 at 90,000 µw/cm2 (EOL) GPH: 1,066 (Min Flow Rate)
Information for Reef Tanks	A UV rated in the 30,000 or 45,000 µw/cm2 (EOL) is ideal for the reef environment. UV’s used at higher kill rates will destroy the planktonic food supply for the reef.
Information for Marine Fish	(No reef or live rock) A UV rated in the 75,000 or 90,000 µw/cm2 (EOL) will be the most effective at controlling fish disease. All UV dosages are calculated at the end of lamp life (14 months).

I contemplate using the UV to control both algae and prevent fish disease. I plan to use a controllable DC pump so I can run the UV filter 24X7 to control algae and probably once a week at a lower flow to control fish disease. Is this a good idea?

Secondly, the rate of 3100gph seems to be quite high given the size of the UV filter. Is it ok to use this high a flow?

 

[Jon Fishman]

I would personally run it at a slow flow. disease control and algae control both handled.

Just run on/off periodically if you’re worried about making the tank too clean

 

[Jesmann]

Subbd

 

[Bramzor]

I would personally run it at a slow flow. disease control and algae control both handled.

What you could do is run it for algae most of the time and when introducing new fish you could run it on a slower flow

 

[14 foot reef]

That looks like the specs from Aqua Ultraviolet Inc. Their philosophy of running 2 different speeds for the 2 different issues (Algae vs Fish disease) is spot on. I have their SL 200 watt unit on my system, and when I want to control algae better, I run at a much faster rate with my Vecrta L1. If I see any fish disease I absolutely slow it down. There are some other companies (the old emperor aquatics Pentair now) that actually prescribe a much slower flow rate for both algae and fish disease. and also say that to kill some fish disease the rate is 180,000 not 90,000. See attached link.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=2ahUKEwjD18a3ka7lAhXLUt8KHf17DEUQFjAAegQIABAC&url=https%3A%2F%2Fpentairaes.com%2Fmedia%2Fdocs%2FSMARTUV-manual.pdf&usg=AOvVaw2U2Bm-BC2aY8C0sLrqd_z7

 

[Imback]

Following.