What happens... UV question

[JonoH]

Mapping out the plumbing for my tank at the moment, and have a question which may have a simple answer.

Planning on running a 120w UV with its own pump (2 pumps feeding the tank).

I know a UV cannot be run without the pump on for obvious reasons...but what happens if the pump fails when your not around and its running?
Is there a way to prevent this from happening - ie the UV will switch off if the pump is not running, is there a 'smart plug' that allows this.

I realise that this is probably not an issue if your running an Apex or something equivalent, but in AUS they are fairly cost prohibitive at the moment.

Wanting to create some sort of 'insurance' for the UV in the event of a pump failure to prevent it from burning out etc.

 

[MarineandReef Jaron]

As you said. I would normally use an Apex or Hydros controller to automate this. I don't know of any device that does this in particular but if the UV is coming from your return pump then chances are the sump water level will change if the pump fails. You could use a float switch to trigger the UV to turn off based on the water level. You could also likely come up with a temperature solution such as a temperature controller that would turn off the unit if the temperature spiked.

 

[Reefering1]

Well... worse case scenario, pump stops and uv stays on... possibly heating tank and/or overheating and damaging itself(or worse). So maybe a inkbird with the probe mounted and insulated on uv housing to shut it off uv in overheat mode... some trial and error required to figure out normal temp vs overheating but will do what you want for the low

 

[JonoH]

Well... worse case scenario, pump stops and uv stays on... possibly heating tank and/or overheating and damaging itself(or worse). So maybe a inkbird with the probe mounted and insulated on uv housing to shut it off uv in overheat mode... some trial and error required to figure out normal temp vs overheating but will do what you want for the low

Seems like a good option, shouldnt be that hard to just have it way higher than what it should normally run of...the only issue is that it would keep turning back on right?

From what i have read, if its mounted so it keeps water in it when the pump is off, it should be ok.

 

[thecitadel]

I run a backup supply with ups to my return pump for the fact that where I live, power often flickers off and on and my pump loses its prime so turns off, and I was always scared about the uv getting hot. Now pump runs all the time even if power jolts for a second and it has like 5 days worth of run time. I also have my skimmer in it because it goes to max setting when you turn it off and on and starts overflowing.

 

[Reeflix]

well, not a sump expert but i have a UV that goes in the DT so if it stops running it wont damage itself