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Optimist

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Oct 14, 2006
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Connecticut
Hi everyone. After hearing about the wonders of the "UV Sterilizer," I have decided to purchase a turbo twist. Unfortunately, I have no Idea how to install such a contraption. I have tried looking up how, but its too advanced for me to understand. I know that the Turbo Twist comes with as a hang on but can it also be attached to a cannister? As far as I know, I have to cut the return tube from the xp3 and put each end of the tube onto the UV sterilizer. I also heard that this decreases flow rate, which I don't really want. I don't want to have to buy another filter for the Turbo twist, so are there any other solutions? As far a hang on goes, I hear that I need a powerhead. Please, If anyone can explain the setup in simplest terms, or pictures, It would help enormously.
 
I was thinking about this too. Anyone have a Turbo Twist?
 
Turbo-Twist UV Sterilizers
Quick Installation Guide
You will need a powerhead, water pump or canister filter that has the recommended flow rate for your particular Turbo-Twist model.

It is recommended that a pre-filter be used with the water pump to limit the amount of debris entering the sterilizer.

Use mounting bracket to hang Turbo-Twist on the outside of aquarium or sump, positioning the unit so that water can be easily returned to system. The sterilizer should be positioned so that the cord end is at the top of the unit.
The Turbo-Twist is fitted with hose barbs to make hose connections easier. Note: Hose barbs and hose lock-nuts require only hand-tightening. Use flexible tubing to connect to water source. Once tubing is connected and properly positioned, turn on the water pump and check for leaks. Once water flow has been established, connect the sterilizer to the power supply.
Note: Flow rate through the Turbo-Twist UV Sterilizer will vary depending on your particular use.

Per Manufacturer's recommendation: Model Flow Rate
for Parasites Flow Rate
for Algae Flow Rate
for Bacteria
9W 55 gph 121 gph 253 gph
18W 110 gph 240 gph 500 gph
36W 290 gph 680 gph 1,550 gph


Detailed Instructions
Note: Always disconnect the unit from the power supply before installing the Turbo-Twist.

Set up and Positioning

Adjusting the hose barb inlet and outlet.
The hose barbs can be positioned in four different locations to facilitate connections to other applications.

Lift the red Safelock and unlock the Quartz Housing.
Carefully twists the Quartz Housing and the main body opposite of each other.
The Quartz housing can now be rotated 360 degrees. Adjust the orientation of the Hose Barb and set the main body into the Quartz Housing.
Combine the main body with the Quartz Housing and rotate according to the arrowhead "Closed."
Press in the red Safelock and the UV Sterilizer is now ready to install.
Bracket Installation

Adjust the Tank Bracket so that it hangs on the outside of the aquarium.
Slide the Turbo-Twist Bracket onto the Tank Bracket. Make sure the Turbo-Twist Bracket is securely fastened onto the Tank Bracket.
Snap the main body of the Turbo-Twist into the Turbo-Twist Bracket. Secure installation is indicated by a "click." Snap the other Turbo-Twist Bracket (with the suction cups) in the same manner.
For horizontal positioning, take the suction cup out and snap the main body into the brackets until it locks with a "click."
UV Lamp Installation

Remove the Threaded Cap and install the UV Lamp into UV Lamp Socket until UV Lamp "clicks" into place.
Make sure that the flat O-ring Gasket is properly positioned inside the Threaded Cap (already installed in unit). Screw the Threaded Cap tightly back into place.
Note: The Plug and Cord should be turned in unison when screwing the Threaded Cap back into place.
Attaching the Hose Lock Nuts

Position the Hose Lock Nuts on the Hose Barb Inlet/outlet.
Use flexible tubing to connect the sterilizer to the water supply. Turn the Hose Lock Nut counterclockwise to tighten flexible tubing onto the Hose Barb. Hose Lock Nuts require only hand tightening (NOTE: Do not use O-ring when larger Hose Barbs are being used).
Hose Barb Adapter Installation

Place the O-ring on Hose Barb Inlet/Outlet.
Hand Tighten the Hose Barb Adapter onto the Turbo-Twist.
Use flexible tubing to connect the sterilizer to the water supply. Turn the Hose Lock Nut counterclockwise to tighten flexible tubing onto the Hose Barb (NOTE: Water will leak if O-ring is not in place).
Installing the Turbo-Twist
Hang the unit using the Turbo-Twist Bracket and suction cup on the outside of the aquarium. Adjust the Tank Bracket to secure the Turbo-Twist UV Sterilizer.
For Horizontal Positioning: Attach the Turbo-Twist Bracket on a fixed surface with screws.

Water Flow Outlet Connection
Connect the tubing between the water flow Outlet and the Hose Barb Inlet. It is recommended that a pre-filter be used with the Turbo-Twist to limit the amount of debris entering the sterilizer (NOTE: Make sure that the flexible tubing is not carrying the weight of the Turbo-Twist UV Sterilizer. Use the Turbo-Twist Brackets to support the weight of the unit).

WARNING: Never install a valve directly on the tubing between the main UV sterilizer body and the aquarium.

Supplying Water
Turn on the water supply to the Turbo-Twist. Once the proper water flow has been established, tilt the unit and let the air bubbles inside the tubing and the main body escape. Examine the unit and check for leaks.

Supplying Power
Connect the Turbo-Twist to the power supply. Verify that the UV Lamp is working properly by checking the light blue glow emitted through the Lamp Indicator. The light from the Lamp Indicator will not affect the skin or eyes. NOTE: When the Turbo-Twist is turned on, you may see patterns on the body of the unit. This does not affect the quality of the unit.

Caution:

Never look directly at the unshielded Lamp as the ultraviolet radiation is harmful.
Disconnect the unit from the power supply when installing or repairing the UV sterilizer.
Never submerse the unit in water.
Maintenance
The Quartz Sleeve should be cleaned periodically To ensure superior UV "kill-rate."

Cleaning the Quartz Sleeve

Be sure to disconnect power outlet and turn off the water supply pump. Allow the water to drain out of the Turbo-Twist UV Sterilizer before cleaning the Quartz Sleeve.
Lift the red Safelock and unlock the Quartz Housing.
Carefully twist the Quartz Housing and the main body of each other.
Slide the Quartz Sleeve out of the main body.
Wipe the Quartz Sleeve using a soft, damp cloth. Do not use household cleaner or abrasive scrubbers to clean the Quartz Housing.
Once clean, reinstall the Quartz Sleeve into the main body and push the red Safelock into the "Lock" position.
Troubleshooting

Problem: UV-C Lamp is not working.
Possible Causes:

The plug is not connected to the power supply.
UV Lamp base is loose.
The UV Lamp has expired.
Recommended Solutions:
Connect the plug to the power supply.
Push the UV-C Lamp onto the Socket until a "click" is heard.
Replace the UV-C lamp.
Problem: Water leak between the main body and Hose Lock Nuts.
Possible Causes:

The Hose Lock Nut is loose.
The O-ring is not in place.
Recommended Solutions:
Tighten the Hose Barb or the Hose Lock Nut.
Install the O-ring.
UV-C Lamp Replacement
The UV-C Lamp has a useful life of about 8,000 hours. To ensure effective performance, replace the UV-C Lamp before it expires.

How to replace the UV-C Lamp

Disconnect the sterilizer from the power supply. It is also necessary to disconnect the power to the water supply pump.
Remove the Threaded Cap to uncover the Lamp Socket.
Unplug the UV-C Lamp out of the main body.
Pull the UV-C Lamp out of the Lamp Socket. Be careful not to touch the Lamp as it may be hot.
Insert new UV-C Lamp. Make sure that the pins of the lamp plugs into the Socket. Secure installation is indicated with a "click."
Reverse steps to re-assemble the Turbo-Twist.
 
I have the 36 watt, "12X" model. A piece of crap, and a waste of money IMO. If unused, I would take it back for a refund. Made of cheap plastic. The red locking tabs only half-ass work. The mounting bracket is bogus, and the fittings are prone to leakage. You will be disappointed.
 
hillbilly;809578; said:
I have the 36 watt, "12X" model. A piece of crap, and a waste of money IMO. If unused, I would take it back for a refund. Made of cheap plastic. The red locking tabs only half-ass work. The mounting bracket is bogus, and the fittings are prone to leakage. You will be disappointed.

Really? I have heard good things about the turbo twist. Does anyone else think that they're bad?
 
Quick question...My FX5 turns off every night to allow air to escape from the filter. When this happens will it do any damage to the sterilizer or will it just SUPER sterilize that water that is stuck in the unit?

I have a 12X model coming tomorrow..I will let you know about my experience.

Eric
 
How long is it off? No water flow can over-heat the lamp, lowering the life expectancy.
 
Don't get me wrong, they work, but the quality could be a whole lot better. They are better quality units out there. I find I don't need UV anyway, and my unit has been unplugged for over 8 months. Having no water flow while the unit is on is not good for the lamp, I would get a dedicated pump (powerhead) to run the UV.
 
So if I were to do it as a hang on, I would need a powerhead? I don't really want to hook it up to the cannister since I heard it decreases flow rate.
 
Optimist;810203; said:
So if I were to do it as a hang on, I would need a powerhead? I don't really want to hook it up to the cannister since I heard it decreases flow rate.

Yes. I hooked mine up to a return line from my wet-dry, and controlled the flow with a ball valve. Since you are using a canister and don't want to hook it up to it, just use a submersible pump with a pre-filter on it to keep the crap out of the UV.
 
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