Uv sterlizers
- Thread starter jpcampbell123
- Start date
I have the sun sun 72watt on my 300g, seems to work well. I change the bulbs every 12 months but I think that’s probably too long.
It's not really about tank size, depends on what you want the UV to do.
If you want to control plantonic algae, a lower wattage may be all that is needed.
If you are interested in Parasite control its more about detention time in front of the light, so flow is also very important.
And wattage depends on whatever parasite you are looking to scramble the DNA of.
A simple organism like a bacteria may require a low wattage, and short detention time,
whereas a more complex organism such as Lernaea may require quite a bit of time (slower flow rate) under strong UV..
Then again, UV is only effective against those organisms that are sucked into the tube.
Certain parasites that are spread by fish to fish contact, are mostly immune.
Or parasites that quckly fall ito the substrate, and reattach to a random fish as it passes by, may avoid being sucked past the light altogether
If you want to control plantonic algae, a lower wattage may be all that is needed.
If you are interested in Parasite control its more about detention time in front of the light, so flow is also very important.
And wattage depends on whatever parasite you are looking to scramble the DNA of.
A simple organism like a bacteria may require a low wattage, and short detention time,
whereas a more complex organism such as Lernaea may require quite a bit of time (slower flow rate) under strong UV..
Then again, UV is only effective against those organisms that are sucked into the tube.
Certain parasites that are spread by fish to fish contact, are mostly immune.
Or parasites that quckly fall ito the substrate, and reattach to a random fish as it passes by, may avoid being sucked past the light altogether
No. They can very effectively do what they do. But they cannot do what they cannot do.
So it's one a fix all solution. But when sized and set up right they can be a great addition.
What are you wanting your UV to do for your set up? Improve water quality or remove (some) pathogens?
I used to run a small canister with very find media and a UV light.
Magnum Hang On Tank canister (rated 250gph) with the Micron cartridges producing an actual flow rate of around 150 gph and a Turbo Twist 18W UV.
It was very effective at clarifying aquarium water to crystal clear.
The generally accepted flow rate to kill parasites is 10 gph per watt.
I’m running a 500l ph pump on the 72watt. It’s just for general purpose, keep away ich from all my scaleless fish, avoid green water.