Well I just happend upon a Aquanetics UV Sterilizer 30 IL (30 watt) for a good price. My question is what size pump should I run in this unit. The Aquanetics web site no longer gives information on this unit, being they dont produce the unit, only the bulbs anymore. I've looked at units of the same wattage and they flow from 700-1200gph. Anyone have this unit or know its max flow rate.
Aquanetics UV Sterilizer 30 IL
- Thread starter mr_cool_guy
- Start date
Any "max flow rate" listed on a UV light will be related to the maximum amount of pressure the unit can handle without leaking or damaging the bulb. It is not related to effeciency...
I've been using UV lights for 5+ years and currently have around 6 of them in use...
After toying with them a lot I've come up with this formula for using UV's against parasites as well as free floating algae (etc):
1W of UV light per 10 US gallons of tank volume (sump included, if applicable)
10 gph of flow per 1 W of UV light (actual gph, not rated)
So I would use your 30W unit for up to a 300 gal tank... and would pump 300 gallons per hour through the UV...
If using it on a smaller tank, I would still run it at 300 gph (slightly lower will not hurt, slightly higher will decrease effeciency).
Also, in case your curious, Blue Dempseys are prone to parasitic illnesses when young, and I've been keeping/raising them for several years. This is why I am confident that my formula works well for parasites.
If you only want the UV light to 'cure' green water or clarify the water, faster flow rates are fine. I have no idea what max pressure your particular unit is capable of handling. But my thoery has always been why get a UV if your not going to get the full benefit. That's like buying a Corvette with a 4 cylinder
I've been using UV lights for 5+ years and currently have around 6 of them in use...
After toying with them a lot I've come up with this formula for using UV's against parasites as well as free floating algae (etc):
1W of UV light per 10 US gallons of tank volume (sump included, if applicable)
10 gph of flow per 1 W of UV light (actual gph, not rated)
So I would use your 30W unit for up to a 300 gal tank... and would pump 300 gallons per hour through the UV...
If using it on a smaller tank, I would still run it at 300 gph (slightly lower will not hurt, slightly higher will decrease effeciency).
Also, in case your curious, Blue Dempseys are prone to parasitic illnesses when young, and I've been keeping/raising them for several years. This is why I am confident that my formula works well for parasites.
If you only want the UV light to 'cure' green water or clarify the water, faster flow rates are fine. I have no idea what max pressure your particular unit is capable of handling. But my thoery has always been why get a UV if your not going to get the full benefit. That's like buying a Corvette with a 4 cylinder
nc_nutcase;2563904; said:So I would use your 30W unit for up to a 300 gal tank... and would pump 300 gallons per hour through the UV...
Thanks i'll go with that, 30w=300gph. It will be going on my 125g tank so that should work out fine.
Well, UPS showed up today with my late christmas present. Holy Cow this thing is huge. Not at all what was pictured on ebay(generic photo). I can't believe the size, thats a size 13 Nike next to the UV. Anyway this bad boy was made 08-95 and was still sealed in the package new, not bad for $50 shipped. The problem now is the fitting there is a 1" out and i'm running 5/8" on my pump, so i'll have to find a adapter tomorrow. That and the fact i'm going to have to modify my stand to make the thing fit in there lol. No complaints though.
