Aqua Advantage UV Sterilizer Questions

[Cicho]

I have a 150G that I’m investigating adding a UV sterilizer. The model I think that I’ll be running is an Aqua Advantage series LINK. I am not sure about which wattage I should run, 8W or 15W. It seems that Aqua is very confident in their higher flow rates and water volumes.

Here is how I intend to set this up:
I’ll be running an Eheim 2215 that I use for running my heating system for the UV. The flow rate through this filter may be 100-130 gph? I’m not terribly concerned about how fast the initial improvement occurs since this type of equipment will be more of a long term scenario.

Concern Summary:
Overall Performance
Initial cost difference is of no concern.
Operational cost is of some concern as a 15W unit will cost ~$12 more per year.
Bulb costs

 

[pacu mom]

This is a definitive article on UV sterilization. http://www.americanaquariumproducts.com/AquariumUVSterilization.html

Ideally, you should aim for Level One Sterilization with a turnover rate of 1.5 an hour.


That would translate to a flow rate of 225 gph through the UV sterilizer (150 x 1.5) . When you do the math for 30 gph/Watt, it comes out to 7.5 Watts. So the 8W UV at 130 or a 100 gph would work even though the turnover rate is not 1.5 per hour. With a turnover rate less than 1 per hour, the 8W UV sterilizer would achieve something far greater than clarification, but not quite Level One Sterilization. (Notice that the turnover rates and the wattage increase with increased level of sterilization.) You'll get the results, but more slowly with the lower turnover rate.

 

[Cicho]

Thanks for that great post!

I pulled the trigger on the 15W unit. Looking at the overall costs I decided to future proof this purchase and bump the size.

 

[Cicho]

Hooked up and running as of last night.

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