Hello all!
I don't have "monster fish"... yet... but I did see that you have a lot of good advice on this forum, and even re-homed my mom's pleco from a post here! I hope that you can help me out with figuring out this UV Sterilizer stuff.
I know that in order to accomplish killing parasites, I need to have a lower flow rate and/or a higher wattage bulb, so the lower wattage bulb the lower flow rate I would need to provide adequate exposure to the UV light. The length of the tube through which the water flows also factors in. Now, all of this I conceptually understand, but I'm just trying to find the right things to get this done.
Now, the tank I want this rig for is my 10 gallon quarantine tank (currently housing 3 rescues that I'm nursing), and then I want to move it over to the 40 gallon tank I'm getting ready for them as a preventative for at least a while. They have been through a lot already, and I'm just trying to help them out.
I do 50% weekly water changes on my established tanks, and more so for the QT tank. I know all my water specs and test it regularly. I'm just seeking this UV rig to cut out parasites and bacteria in a tank with fish that have been sick to help them out, not as a "quick cure" for anything.
Pardon my extensive background explanation- just wanted to give you a quick summary of where I'm at so my questions could best be answered. So, here is what I am trying to accomplish:
1. A portable UV rig that I could run on either a 10 gallon tank for quarantine purposes, or on a 40 gallon tank that will house some fish that have not been in the best of health. For this reason, I'd like to power it with it's own powerhead.
2. Something with a flow rate/wattage/length combination that would best kill parasites for either of these tanks. From the various things I've read, it seems like I need a 15W at 75 gph for some models, but lesser wattage at higher flow rates for those with longer bulb exposure time.
3. Can anyone recommend any models or set ups? I'm thinking the Eheim powerheads look good as far as they are good machines (I have two Eheim 2217 filters), but am not sure about what powerhead to go with what UV Sterilizer.
4. I'd like a good model. I'm a big fan of Eheim filters, and am willing to pay a little extra for something that lasts and works well.
Thank you for your help! I really appreciate it.
Now you say "Well, what kind of fish does this girl have anyways that she is so concerned about them?" Well, don't laugh, promise? I've got goldfish and and a betta, all living luxury lives. The fish I'm trying to get this UV Sterilizer together for are three fancy goldfish that will live in a 40 gallon with an Eheim 2217 and AquaClear 30 running (they are in the 10 quarantine right now). I also have two common goldfish in a 55 gallon tank for now, with an Eheim 2217 and AquaClear 70 running on it, and a betta in a 5 gallon hex.
I don't have "monster fish"... yet... but I did see that you have a lot of good advice on this forum, and even re-homed my mom's pleco from a post here! I hope that you can help me out with figuring out this UV Sterilizer stuff.
I know that in order to accomplish killing parasites, I need to have a lower flow rate and/or a higher wattage bulb, so the lower wattage bulb the lower flow rate I would need to provide adequate exposure to the UV light. The length of the tube through which the water flows also factors in. Now, all of this I conceptually understand, but I'm just trying to find the right things to get this done.
Now, the tank I want this rig for is my 10 gallon quarantine tank (currently housing 3 rescues that I'm nursing), and then I want to move it over to the 40 gallon tank I'm getting ready for them as a preventative for at least a while. They have been through a lot already, and I'm just trying to help them out.
I do 50% weekly water changes on my established tanks, and more so for the QT tank. I know all my water specs and test it regularly. I'm just seeking this UV rig to cut out parasites and bacteria in a tank with fish that have been sick to help them out, not as a "quick cure" for anything.
Pardon my extensive background explanation- just wanted to give you a quick summary of where I'm at so my questions could best be answered. So, here is what I am trying to accomplish:
1. A portable UV rig that I could run on either a 10 gallon tank for quarantine purposes, or on a 40 gallon tank that will house some fish that have not been in the best of health. For this reason, I'd like to power it with it's own powerhead.
2. Something with a flow rate/wattage/length combination that would best kill parasites for either of these tanks. From the various things I've read, it seems like I need a 15W at 75 gph for some models, but lesser wattage at higher flow rates for those with longer bulb exposure time.
3. Can anyone recommend any models or set ups? I'm thinking the Eheim powerheads look good as far as they are good machines (I have two Eheim 2217 filters), but am not sure about what powerhead to go with what UV Sterilizer.
4. I'd like a good model. I'm a big fan of Eheim filters, and am willing to pay a little extra for something that lasts and works well.
Thank you for your help! I really appreciate it.
Now you say "Well, what kind of fish does this girl have anyways that she is so concerned about them?" Well, don't laugh, promise? I've got goldfish and and a betta, all living luxury lives. The fish I'm trying to get this UV Sterilizer together for are three fancy goldfish that will live in a 40 gallon with an Eheim 2217 and AquaClear 30 running (they are in the 10 quarantine right now). I also have two common goldfish in a 55 gallon tank for now, with an Eheim 2217 and AquaClear 70 running on it, and a betta in a 5 gallon hex.
