Thoughts on Fluval UVC

[Tpepe321]

Picking up a used FX6 that has the new UVC inline clarifier installed. Looking for reviews on this and if it has helped anyone or should I pull it off and try to resell it?
All of my tanks are algae free other than one that gets a little sun (nothing I can do about it) so there is some brown algae spots where the sunlight hits. I was planning of putting the new FX6 as a backup to my current FX6 on this tank regardless of the UVC.
Is the UVC going to help clear some of this up? Short term fix / long term? What’s the feedback

 

[phreeflow]

There’s no doubt UV sterilizers work but it all depends on dwell time and maintenance. Those bulbs need to be cleaned and replaced on schedule. Also, the water passing through the UV chamber needs to dwell long enough for it to be effective.

What confuses me about these Fluval UVC units is that although they are supposed to work with the FX6, the max flow rate of the UVC is way lower than the max flow rate of the FX6. Meaning, the FX6 is pumping too much water through the UVC too fast for it to be effective. Unless I’m missing something, it just doesn’t make sense.

I’d sell it or hook it up to a slower power head

 

[RealCrix220]

i have 2 FX6 and both have a UVC on them, i will admit and say that i personally did not see the difference when i installed them. they must work because they wouldn't be on the market but i haven't seen any improvement in my tank

 

[Cal Amari]

It's been awhile since I looked into UV clarifiers, but when I did I recall the fluvall being very low wattage and high priced compared to other models available. I realize you aren't shopping for one, but may be relevant if you use it. As Phreeflow said dwell time is important, but I think wattage is a factor in determining the dwell time needed. Here's one old thread below with a good chart.

Post in thread 'Large UV sterilizer'

Jan 6, 2013

Looking for a large sterilizer for my 400g tank.

Currently have a Coralife 36watt at only 240gph on my 125g working great.

I like the idea of low gph to provide maximum "dwell" time past the uv bulb.


what uv light would you guys recommend to provide similar dwell time at around 600-1000gph

This is a great article on UV sterilization.
http://www.americanaquariumproducts.com/AquariumUVSterilization.html

Especially helpful is this chart:


Based on the chart, you are somewhere between Level One and Level Two sterilization. While you have the...

• pacu mom

 

[phreeflow]

Max flow rate for FX6 is 924.6 GPH

Max flow rate for Fluval Inline UVC is 245 GPH

Based on these numbers alone I wouldn’t connect it to an FX6. Even if the FX6 realistically pumps out only 1/2 the max flow rate, it would be too much

 

[RealCrix220]

Max flow rate for FX6 is 924.6 GPH

Max flow rate for Fluval Inline UVC is 245 GPH

Based on these numbers alone I wouldn’t connect it to an FX6. Even if the FX6 realistically pumps out only 1/2 the max flow rate, it would be too much

Would you have a recommendation for a UV Steriliser for the FX6 ?

 

[phreeflow]

Actually, I double checked and it seems the numbers I looked up were for their 3 watt model. The max flow rate for their 6 watt model seems to be 563gph. Perhaps that would work with an FX6 that’s full of media and not pumping out water at its max flow rate

 

[RealCrix220]

Actually, I double checked and it seems the numbers I looked up were for their 3 watt model. The max flow rate for their 6 watt model seems to be 563gph. Perhaps that would work with an FX6 that’s full of media and not pumping out water at its max flow rate

I was under the impression that the UVC was made for the FX range but having said that I have been reading through the article that was shared earlier and I have come to the conclusion that I’m playing with UV clarifiers when actually a UV Sterilizer would work better for me and my set up. So I’m researching U. steralilzers and am struggling to find one compact enough with a flow rate that matches that of a FX6. Best so far is the Evo 25s but that only has a fl of 2000 ltr per hour

 

[Cal Amari]

It's been over a year since I did a deep dive, but I ended up getting a green killing machine, 24w uv unit with powerhead, just hang in the corner of the tank and plug it in, no need to plumb it. My 90 gallon tank is adjacent to a window so gets a lot of indirect light. no more green water. I believe its helping sterilize as well, but thats a bonus, not my primary purpose.