Connecting a UV sterilizer to an FX5 question?

[snow]

I know that it's not the best as you should hook it up to a powerhead but...
I have an 18w turbo-twist uv sterilizer made by coralife. I don't understand how it connects to the FX5. Where do I connect it too? I know the connect it too the intake and out-take tubes but there is not enough hose to connect with so that it can be stationairy on the ground? Do I need some type of tubing or what? I have never used this brand before.
OR
Maybe this is not the best way to do it as I don't want all that gunk from the tank to pass through the chamber? How do I go about doing this?

 

[RedDwarf]

Buy some tubing and run the UV between the outlet line of the FX5 off of a T-fitting and put a valve on the line that's going to the UV.
On the return of the UV you can run a J-Tube back up to the aquarium.
It's very important that you run a valve on the UV because if your using the full output from the FX5, it would be to strong for the UV to effectively sterilize the water passing through it.

 

[Jgray152]

This is an email I sent to someone asking this same question

I have included a quick sketch for the plumbing you may be looking to use. What you will need to do is split the 1" ID (inner diameter) hose down to two smaller hoses. I would recommend staying around or above 3/4" ID hose. remember the connections (fittings/adapters) may reduce the overall ID down to a small size. Nothing you can do about, without getting into confusing designs. I don't know what size hose the UV takes but if it does not take 3/4" and it takes 7/8" tubing, than I would see if you can find a Wye fitting from 1" to two 7/8" fittings. You may need to get reducers. I would recommend talking with someone at a plumbing supply store to help you get all the right fittings.

If you need to find fittings you can find them at PVCFittings.com

 

[spwd]

Thats good to know for the future,i thought it would be a lot more complicated than that lol




steve

 

[snow]

This is an email I sent to someone asking this same question

Is that new hoseing for the out take of the Fx5? So basically I get an adapter and some 3/4"ID hoseing one just normal going to the tank and the other going through the uv? Is this right? Makes sense.

 

[Full Metal Gundam]

Is that new hoseing for the out take of the Fx5? So basically I get an adapter and some 3/4"ID hoseing one just normal going to the tank and the other going through the uv? Is this right? Makes sense.

the optional ball valves in the pic is not optional it's a must because you need to keep the gph going thru the UV low so there is enough dwell time in the UV.If the flow is to fast the UV will be useless. The instructions that came with the UV should point this out.

 

[Jgray152]

I figure since there will be restriction through the UV, most of the flow will want to go around the UV hence the valves optional...I could be wrong though. Its a good idea anyways to have at least 1 before the UV

Is that new hoseing for the out take of the Fx5? So basically I get an adapter and some 3/4"ID hoseing one just normal going to the tank and the other going through the uv? Is this right? Makes sense.

New hosing...yes. Everything on the output would be new.

Now you "could" merge the tubes back together so you have one output into the tank.

 

[Pomatomus]

I figure since there will be restriction through the UV, most of the flow will want to go around the UV hence the valves optional...I could be wrong though. Its a good idea anyways to have at least 1 before the UV

Hence, the valves are not optional. If the flow is too low, then the UV is not doing much...but if it's too high, then the water isn't exposed to the light for long enough and the sterilizer isn't doing much.

 

[snow]

Okay thanks all. I'm off to the hardware store to see what I can do.

 

[Jgray152]

Hence, the valves are not optional. If the flow is too low, then the UV is not doing much...but if it's too high, then the water isn't exposed to the light for long enough and the sterilizer isn't doing much.

Time to update the picture



Edit.....................Updated!