Which Lifegard UV for system.

[Biglurr54]

I have a 175g display and a basement sump that totals 220g total volume. Currently I have a Jebao 55w UV reactor on a Sicce 1.5 pump. THis was a quick trial to erradicate the remaining Dinos. It worked well for me. THe light is about 8 months old and I got dinos and cyano back. I am assuming that the UV killed off the free floating stuff and then when the bulb got old, it wasnt as effective and they came right back. Well i want to upgrade the UV because I feel that it is an effective piece of equipment in the battle of algae.

My plan is to plumb the UV into either the overflow main siphon, or the return pump. This will pass approximately 1500gph either way. I like the Lifegard UV sterilizer in the 55w range. They offer a 3" and a 5" reactor. What one should I go with? They both have similar technical data other than a slight increase in max flow rate for the 5" but i am not coming close to the max flow rate.

http://www.lifegardaquatics.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Pro-Max-UV-Instructions.pdf

 

[Badilac]

I have a 175g display and a basement sump that totals 220g total volume. Currently I have a Jebao 55w UV reactor on a Sicce 1.5 pump. THis was a quick trial to erradicate the remaining Dinos. It worked well for me. THe light is about 8 months old and I got dinos and cyano back. I am assuming that the UV killed off the free floating stuff and then when the bulb got old, it wasnt as effective and they came right back. Well i want to upgrade the UV because I feel that it is an effective piece of equipment in the battle of algae.

My plan is to plumb the UV into either the overflow main siphon, or the return pump. This will pass approximately 1500gph either way. I like the Lifegard UV sterilizer in the 55w range. They offer a 3" and a 5" reactor. What one should I go with? They both have similar technical data other than a slight increase in max flow rate for the 5" but i am not coming close to the max flow rate.

http://www.lifegardaquatics.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Pro-Max-UV-Instructions.pdf

I run the Pro-Max 90w on my 300 g total and have no regrets. You can get a 90 for about the same as a 55 so thats what I'd do. No real downside other than a little more heat. I have the 3" and I'd stick with that as yearly replacement parts are cheaper.

 

[Biglurr54]

I run the Pro-Max 90w on my 300 g total and have no regrets. You can get a 90 for about the same as a 55 so thats what I'd do. No real downside other than a little more heat. I have the 3" and I'd stick with that as yearly replacement parts are cheaper.

I like the 90w but it seems overkill. It does cost quite a bit more in the long run too. Its $150 more for the unit. The bulbs cost $20 more than the 55w and it uses 90w vs 55w which is another $40 a year. did you do the 5" housing or the 3 inch housing?

 

[Badilac]

I like the 90w but it seems overkill. It does cost quite a bit more in the long run too. Its $150 more for the unit. The bulbs cost $20 more than the 55w and it uses 90w vs 55w which is another $40 a year. did you do the 5" housing or the 3 inch housing?

I have the 3". The 90w is $400 shipped which is $125 more than the 55w. The bulb is $70 for the 90w and $60.32 for the 55w. For the extra money I would go with the 90w but I also have 80 gallons more than you. If your trying to save money don't go with 5" because the sleeves cost more to replace every year. Also I don't see any benefit going with the 5" chamber.

 

[xionggotstyle]

Can I get your opinion on long term review of these units? Do they seem to do the job they are indicated for and also any issues with the units themselves? Where do you buy the replacement bulbs from?

 

[Badilac]

Can I get your opinion on long term review of these units? Do they seem to do the job they are indicated for and also any issues with the units themselves? Where do you buy the replacement bulbs from?

I have had this UV for just over a year and a half and have had zero issues. There are quite a few people here that run the Pro-MAX’s and I have yet to see anyone post negative about it. I have used out Lifegard UV’s through out the years and also had good luck with them. I just did a write up on UV’s yesterday if you care to read it. Link below.

UV Sterilizers, which to choose and why?

Ever since BRS did a video on UV's and QT I have seen a lot more people talking about UV's. Naturally most purchase what BRS pushes / sells which is fine and dandy (I also love BRS) but I suggest everyone do their research. When selecting the right UV you need to determine what it is that you...

humble.fish

Lifegard has been around for a long time and they aren’t new to the UV game. Bulbs and all parts are easily found online at various pond suppliers. Just google “Lifegard Aquatics uv parts” bulbs for these units are priced extremely well. If you read my write up above I break down cost for quite a few units for a few companies.

 

[inetjnky]

What are the recommended flow rates for algea and the flow rate for Protozoa on the 90 3”? Im
Ready to pull the trigger for my build and bought a reef octo various 8 pump to feed a 1” manifold which will feed both the UV and my refugium and the option to add two more reactors off the manifold if I need to at some point. I figure I can change the pump speed based on what I need the UV to do at that point in time?

 

[Badilac]

What are the recommended flow rates for algea and the flow rate for Protozoa on the 90 3”? Im
Ready to pull the trigger for my build and bought a reef octo various 8 pump to feed a 1” manifold which will feed both the UV and my refugium and the option to add two more reactors off the manifold if I need to at some point. I figure I can change the pump speed based on what I need the UV to do at that point in time?

Here is the Flow rates for the 90watt

2800 gph=30,000 uw/s/cm2
1400 gph=60,000 uw/s/cm2
1200 gph=90,000 uw/s/cm2
933 gph=100,000 uw/s/cm2
700 gph=120,000 uw/s/cm2
466 gph=180,000 uw/s/cm2
350 gph=240,000 uw/s/cm2"

 

[A sea K]

Here is the Flow rates for the 90watt
933 ghp=90,000 uw/s/cm2
1,200 gph=100,000 uw/s/cm2

I assume these got reversed?

 

[Badilac]

Yes sorry about that

 

[Tuffloud1]

Here is the Flow rates for the 90watt

2800 gph=30,000 uw/s/cm2
1400 gph=60,000 uw/s/cm2
933 ghp=90,000 uw/s/cm2
1,200 gph=100,000 uw/s/cm2
700 gph=120,000 uw/s/cm2
466 gph=180,000 uw/s/cm2
350 gph=240,000 uw/s/cm2"

@Badilac Did you get these numbers for the Lifegard Pro Max 90 watt 3 inch directly from Lifegard?

I called them and they said 1,200 gph = 90,000 uw/s/cm2 is incorrect. They said it would be between 700-800 gph.

 

[Badilac]

@Badilac Did you get these numbers for the Lifegard Pro Max 90 watt 3 inch directly from Lifegard?

I called them and they said 1,200 gph = 90,000 uw/s/cm2 is incorrect. They said it would be between 700-800 gph.

It’s just math honestly but here is an email from them about the 120w showing it’s just simple math. So I did the same for the 90w. Not sure why they told you that was wrong. It’s literally math.


Here are the Lifeguard #s straight from an email where I asked them if the breakdown was linear.
"Thank you for your email. For the 120 Watt Pro-Max:
4,000 gph=30,000 uw/s/cm2
2,000 gph=60,000 uw/s/cm2
1,333 ghp=90,000 uw/s/cm2
1,200 gph=100,000 uw/s/cm2
1,000 gph=120,000 uw/s/cm2
667 gph=180,000 uw/s/cm2
500 gph=240,000 uw/s/cm2"

 

[Tuffloud1]

It’s just math honestly but here is an email from them about the 120w showing it’s just simple math. So I did the same for the 90w. Not sure why they told you that was wrong. It’s literally math.


Here are the Lifeguard #s straight from an email where I asked them if the breakdown was linear.
"Thank you for your email. For the 120 Watt Pro-Max:
4,000 gph=30,000 uw/s/cm2
2,000 gph=60,000 uw/s/cm2
1,333 ghp=90,000 uw/s/cm2
1,200 gph=100,000 uw/s/cm2
1,000 gph=120,000 uw/s/cm2
667 gph=180,000 uw/s/cm2
500 gph=240,000 uw/s/cm2"

Thanks, UV’s confuse me in general. So many charts and graphs and opinions.

 

[flagg37]

So is there really any difference between the 3” and 5” at the same wattage? Dimensions look to be pretty similar (other than diameter). The only real difference I can see is the maximum flow rate (which wouldn’t be used since there wouldn’t be enough contact time).