Is a uz sterilizer worth it?
- Thread starter Mr.kelberi
- Start date
I'm going to install one (25 watt Aqua Ultraviolet) this spring on our 600 gallon Fly River turtle tank. An individual who I correspond with (who designs and builds turtle habitats for zoos) suggested this particular model. Any extra benefit I can provide is worth it to me.
That is a great unit. Did the guy size it for you too?
I don't think 25W is enough. Calc shows you are only getting a dosage of 16.3mJ/cm^2. Public aquariums and displays require 50mJ/cm^2. In some states, shellfish tanks in markets require a sterilizer to control bacteria. I'm sure turtles are the same. 25W is only good for a clarifier on a 600g.
PM me your e-mail address and I can forward you the analysis.
You're on the right track. Go for a well designed unit but sizing is key.
Yes. He did size it for me. Although I'm leaning toward a larger unit, just because of the flow rate my pump (Reeflo Hammerhead / Barracuda Hybrid Gold) puts out. If I go with the 25 watt unit, I'll probably have to split the return line and gate the inflow down to keep under the max flow rate for that unit. I'm thinking of going 40 watts, but for not much more, I can pick up the 57 watt unit. If I go with the 57 watt unit, I can keep the uv sterilizer plumbed right into the main return line. He is a distributor for Aqua Ultraviolet, so I know he's not trying to oversell me on a unit I don't need. Otherwise, he would have suggested a larger unit right off the bat.
PM sent kendragon.
How fast the water flows past the light determines if the intended pathogen (like the ick protozoa) is effected. Without enough detention time in front of the bulb, many pass thru unharmed. Steriliizers only kill what flows thru them for a long enough period, if you put put the sterilizer on a fast flowing line, they do nothing. It is best to add them to a teed off line where flow can be controlled with a valve to a slow rate.
Internal parasites and bacteria that don't pass thru the unit will not be killed.
If you don't quarantine a fish, put it in your tank, and it drops many cysts or passes bacteria to other fish by contact, a UV sterilizer will not control those kind of problems.
Internal parasites and bacteria that don't pass thru the unit will not be killed.
If you don't quarantine a fish, put it in your tank, and it drops many cysts or passes bacteria to other fish by contact, a UV sterilizer will not control those kind of problems.
I run a uv on my stingray tank as it's in a room with loads of windows do it gets lots of sun light.
I have it on the return pipe on my fx5 filter and it keeps my tank free on algae blooms etc
I have it on the return pipe on my fx5 filter and it keeps my tank free on algae blooms etc
So im thinking that I am going to get another canister filter and put a uv sterilizer on it. Just want your guys opinion on this setup.
I currently have a fx6, fx4, and a emperor 400 on my 210. Should I get another canister I will take the OTB off and put it on my growout so I could be loosing a little filtration or gaining a little depending on what canister I go with.
Now I was thinking the coral life turbo twist 12x which will do parasites at 295 gph, algae at 680 and bacteria at 1550. The canisters I was thinking about are either aquatop fz4 or fz5, respectively 295 gph 70-90 gallon rating and 450 gph 90-125 gallon rating.
The fz4 would probably have a flow rate under that giving the uz sterilizer full potential, the fz5 would only allow for bacteria and algae. Should I take the hit filtration hit and get the full uz sterilizer potential or get a little more filtration and only get the bacteria and algae?
Im sure the answer is obvious, but i just like to be reassured hahah
I currently have a fx6, fx4, and a emperor 400 on my 210. Should I get another canister I will take the OTB off and put it on my growout so I could be loosing a little filtration or gaining a little depending on what canister I go with.
Now I was thinking the coral life turbo twist 12x which will do parasites at 295 gph, algae at 680 and bacteria at 1550. The canisters I was thinking about are either aquatop fz4 or fz5, respectively 295 gph 70-90 gallon rating and 450 gph 90-125 gallon rating.
The fz4 would probably have a flow rate under that giving the uz sterilizer full potential, the fz5 would only allow for bacteria and algae. Should I take the hit filtration hit and get the full uz sterilizer potential or get a little more filtration and only get the bacteria and algae?
Im sure the answer is obvious, but i just like to be reassured hahah
I'm curious, if i was to place a higher wattage (50-100) uv bulb over one of my low flow sump tanks could that sterilize the whole tub?
