So I have decided that I def putting a UV sterilizer on my 300g the question is this. Looking on ebay I found a bunch of them and the one I was looking at is an 18 watt jebao it says it handles uptp 2400 gph from reading some other ones they say you shouldnt excede like more than a few hundred gallons an hour. I am planning on hooking this up inline with a rena xp4 or and fx5. I will be putting it on the out put side so the water going through is filtered of corse.
question about UV filter
- Thread starter jack frost
- Start date
I would go with one.http://www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsU...8/cl0/coralifeturbotwist12x36wattuvsterilizer
I have the 18w on my 210 so far it's great. I have it hooked to a powerhead pushing about 250gph. Here are a few pictures. Second picture is of the return into the sump.
I have the 18w on my 210 so far it's great. I have it hooked to a powerhead pushing about 250gph. Here are a few pictures. Second picture is of the return into the sump.
While the tubing may be able to handle 2400 gph, the UV will not kill everything with such a short exposure time per pass. At 18W 200 GPH is more like it. Higher wattage kills faster but exposure time is key. 25 watts exposed throught a 2" length at 200 GPH will not be as effective as 15W exposure over 6 inches at 200 GPH.
Indeed it is all about flow rates. I tend to run mine all the time but at a slower speed. Mine too is hooked up to a powerhead (also an 18 watt turbo twist) I run about 120 gph (Coral lifes recommendation for killing ick etc) just in case I don't have sick fish ATM but it helps to ensure it stays that way. It also makes my water clearer
One thing that made the setup easier was using one of Dr fosters return pipes with the adjustable head (Its black you can kind of see it in the photo to the left of the eheim spraybar) It was 5 dollars or so but well worth it and almost invisible with the black background id recommend one .
This is it when it was first setup. Now its hooked up horizontally and unexposed I also sealed up the venturi air and took the white hose off. You can see the power head and the top of the TT in the photo . (sorry for the crappy pic) It kind of illustrates the clarity of water you can obtain with it I think. The tank has a single 48" fluorescent with a no name bulb
If you need any help at all in the setup or anything feel free to PM me.
One thing that made the setup easier was using one of Dr fosters return pipes with the adjustable head (Its black you can kind of see it in the photo to the left of the eheim spraybar) It was 5 dollars or so but well worth it and almost invisible with the black background id recommend one .
This is it when it was first setup. Now its hooked up horizontally and unexposed I also sealed up the venturi air and took the white hose off. You can see the power head and the top of the TT in the photo . (sorry for the crappy pic) It kind of illustrates the clarity of water you can obtain with it I think. The tank has a single 48" fluorescent with a no name bulb
If you need any help at all in the setup or anything feel free to PM me.
thanks guys I thought this was an awful lot of flow for a uv light to work properly. Guess I'll be buying another pump just to run this thing. Jezzz I'll have more pumps on this tank than any thing
The max flow rate listed on the UV light refers to the max flow rate the housing can handle without leaking... it has nothing to do with effectiveness...
I've used UVs for years while raising Blue Dempseys which are known to be prone to parasitic infections when young...
I use the following formula to eradicate parasites as well as all other UV benefits:
1W of UV strength per 10 Gal of water in the system (tank + sump)
10 gph per 1W of UV strength
In other words a 30W UV light at an actual flow rate of 300 gph on a 300 gal tank...
While it is true that a larger diameter housing will allow a longer dwell time at a given flow rate... The farther from the bulb the UV waves get the weaker they get... therefore a fat housing is not as good of an idea as it sounds when only considering flow rates.
Another point to consider... any particles that pass through the UV's housing will cast little shadows blocking UV rays. While a few particles here and there may not be a very big deal, it should be known that the cleaner the water is that passes through the UV housing the more effective your UV light will be.
I have used a lot of UV lights... and I have talked to a lot of people considering using them... I have never talked to anyone who 'properly' set up a UV light (I consider 'proper' following my suggested formula) that was not impressed with the result... but I have talked to quite a few people who cut corners and were not impressed. So my suggestion is, if you're going to do it, do it right...
As for brands... The Turbo Twist lights are nice, I have a couple of them. The best UV light I have ever seen is made by Danner. I also have a couple of them...
I've used UVs for years while raising Blue Dempseys which are known to be prone to parasitic infections when young...
I use the following formula to eradicate parasites as well as all other UV benefits:
1W of UV strength per 10 Gal of water in the system (tank + sump)
10 gph per 1W of UV strength
In other words a 30W UV light at an actual flow rate of 300 gph on a 300 gal tank...
While it is true that a larger diameter housing will allow a longer dwell time at a given flow rate... The farther from the bulb the UV waves get the weaker they get... therefore a fat housing is not as good of an idea as it sounds when only considering flow rates.
Another point to consider... any particles that pass through the UV's housing will cast little shadows blocking UV rays. While a few particles here and there may not be a very big deal, it should be known that the cleaner the water is that passes through the UV housing the more effective your UV light will be.
I have used a lot of UV lights... and I have talked to a lot of people considering using them... I have never talked to anyone who 'properly' set up a UV light (I consider 'proper' following my suggested formula) that was not impressed with the result... but I have talked to quite a few people who cut corners and were not impressed. So my suggestion is, if you're going to do it, do it right...
As for brands... The Turbo Twist lights are nice, I have a couple of them. The best UV light I have ever seen is made by Danner. I also have a couple of them...