are UV sterilizers really worth it

[johnptc]

Powering the bulb on puts more wear on the bulb than several hours of running time…


So using a 12 hr on / 12 hr off schedule would be slightly more efficient than 24/7 usage… but will allow clarity to fluctuate. If your using the UVs to reduce/remove risk of parasites I suggest 24/7... For water clarity it makes sense to run them when the tank lights are on (assuming 8~12 hours per day)…


I run mine 24/7...

this all depends on the tank size and the wattage of the uv unit( and its allowable flow rate) ...........a very large uv on a small tank can run a short time/24 hours.

a small uv on a big tank is a waste even running 24/7.

its not a guessing game see AQUATIC SYSTEMS ENGINEERING BY P R ESCOBAL........its all there

 

[soulFish]

Will UV Sterilizers will kill fungus in addition to Bacteria & Algae?

What would be a good size for a 210 Gallon and/or 100 Gallon?

 

[johnptc]

Will UV Sterilizers will kill fungus in addition to Bacteria & Algae?

What would be a good size for a 210 Gallon and/or 100 Gallon?

fungus are killed at 45000 microwatt-seconds/square centimeter

most bacteria at 25000

algae is less.............

a quality 65 watt unit running at 175 gph will kill just about any pests that are in the water for the 200 gallon

 

[soulFish]

so if I wanted to run one on the 210, I would need to get a slower flow intake and could not effectivly run inline with my XP4 or FX5?

If not inline with the canisters what would you recommend then? Just a small pump of some sort in a loop?

 

[johnptc]

so if I wanted to run one on the 210, I would need to get a slower flow intake and could not effectivly run inline with my XP4 or FX5?

If not inline with the canisters what would you recommend then? Just a small pump of some sort in a loop?

just divert some of the output...run the extra flow direct into the tank and what you need in to the uv and then the tank