Corallife 6x Sterilizer with Rena Xp3

[wussero]

Hey Folks,

I finally got a UV sterilizer hooked up. Now I have a question... After the installation, I ran it for 1 day without any results. I think the GPH on the Corralife 6X 18 watt can't keep up with my filter Rena XP3? I slowed down the water flow today on the ball valve near the powerhead of my Xp3.

I have the valve set to approx 1/4 open. Would this be enough to eliminate algae on the tank sides, diatoms? Is the circulation enough for the fish? I haven't seen any surface for air, but notice pretty slow current now.

 

[DragonScales]

What size is your tank? I have a coralife 6x hooked up to a XP3 as well. UV will help reduce algae but would not eradicate algae if you are in an algae bloom.

 

[Toby_H]

The UV light will kill any free floating algae that moves through the UV unit but will not remove algae that is growing on surfaces in the tank... I've heard that it removes some of the things that exist in the water that the algae uses to thrive, but I cannot vouch for this scientifically.

Based on personal experience, I can say that my tanks with UV lights have less algae (and/or cyano bacteria) than my tanks without UV lights... but the UV'ed tanks still can/do have some...

After working with UV lights for several years I suggest an actual flow rate of 10 gph per 1W of UV strength. It's also been my experience that canister filters typically have an actual flow rate of approx 50% of their motors rating. So this makes your XP3 (rated @ 350 gph) an ideal match for your 18W UV light. Also note this flow rate is for killing parasites as well as all other potential benefits of a UV light.

Honestly, I simply think you are desiring for your UV light to serve a function that it is not designed to serve (eradicating algae growing on surfaces).

 

[Zum14]

Pretty much what dragonscales said. It wont be an end all solution, uv sterilizers only take care of free floating algae, parasites, bacteria, and such, if there used within there required flow rates to allow the water to contact the light long enough to kill the parasites. According to a couple sites a flow rate of 200 to 400GPH for the 6X will work, closer to 200 for more complete sterilization of the water against bacteria and parasites (require more time to kill then just algae) Your Rena XP3 has a max flow rate of 350GPH which will reduce a bit as the filters plug up a bit, but i wouldnt turn it down too far. You may risk a bulb overheat or possible water overheat. I havent actually heard what happends when the water flow is too low but id have to guess it would be one of those.

and as nc_nutcase said.. beat me to the punch.

 

[wussero]

What size is your tank? I have a coralife 6x hooked up to a XP3 as well. UV will help reduce algae but would not eradicate algae if you are in an algae bloom.

Sorry Guys, I forgot to explain that I have a 75 Gal Acrylic tank. I know it wont eradicate, but would like to reduce it.