Not how canisters work, there is no head pressure since the canister is fed through a siphon. The water pressure of the intake counters the head pressure of the out take. This is with the hoses having the same length and similar routing.
UV powered by FX5
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Ahh, see that would be the problem the higher the flow rate the less exposure the water receives from the U.V. light depending on the bulb and enclosure inside the sterilizer that exposes the water to the light. Faster flow is detrimental to U.V. sterilization perhaps that's the misunderstanding we're having. You think the faster the flow rate the better at least that's what your above post seems to be indicating. It's counterproductive as the water needs to be exposed to the U.V. for a minimum amount of time to be effective so if a FX5 does more flow(which I assumed as it's rated for larger tanks) it might not be exposing the water to the light for a long enough period.
U.V. lights work by radiating the water and killing certain microscopic organisms by being exposed to the light. The shorter the time the water is exposed to the light the less effective it is. Hence larger flows require larger lights so as to ensure proper exposure time and why they tell you what flow the U.V. light works on most efficiently on the box.
So hoping an FX5 does more flow per hour wouldn't be beneficial, I hope now you understand what I was trying to say.
Yes and no - My FX5 is pumping water up nearly 6 feet. The intake flow is not under pressure, right? So there is a limited siphon. The pump is fighting over 5 feet of gravity. So, that IS how a canister is designed. (unless I am missing something) I have the exhaust hose about 6" deeper in the tank then the intake. Try running a siphon down from a bucket 5 feet, and the opposite end of the hose 5 feet in the air. No flow. I have a pump at the bottom of the 5 ft "siphon" hose pumping up over 5 feet. There is head pressure.
the inlet hose is under pressure because the water is falling the same distance down as it is being pumped up so the pump in the FX5 isn't pushing head pressure like a sump pump that is just pushing the water up. also an 18w UV will not over heat even along as water is in it. No water though and the quartz sleeve will break.. usually there is a safely that prevents the unit from coming on unless water is flowing through it.
We've been running a 40W UV sterilizer off our FX-5 for the last seven years. The recommended flow rate of our UV sterilizer is comparable to the FX-5 flow rate. The resting phase of the FX-5 does not impact our UV sterilizer. Small UV sterilizers require slower flow rates to be effective. Larger UV sterilizers have faster maximum recommended flow rates, i.e., a 120W Lifeguard Aquatics UV sterilizer max gph is 4500.
Thank you for reaffirming my statement with actual numbers and experience and I imagine the OP must appreciate it as well. Unfortunately some people misunderstand and think the flow rate on the sterilizer is the minimum rather then the maximum. I had thought that 18w sounded like too little for the flow of an FX5 considering the amount of body it's supposed to be capable of filtering but I never checked the specs on it's GPH turn over. I personally prefer the in tank U.V. sterilizer/clarifier makes worrying about the flow rate a non issue.
This is an excellent article on UV sterilizers. It is really a definitive discussion on the subject.
http://www.americanaquariumproducts.com/AquariumUVSterilization.html
I found this chart particularly useful. One can figure out the wattage needed to achieve the desired level of sterilization based on a minimum turnover rate in the tank. Level Two Sterilization requires a greater turnover rate and more wattage. Notice that Level One Sterilization is the most common aquarium application.
We have floor to ceiling picture windows and two skylights in our living room. Our 300 gallon tank quickly looked like this
Our UV sterilizer very quickly cleared up the green water.
I used to freak out when our knuckle headed fish scraped and cut themselves on the tank lids. All their scrapes heal very quickly. UV sterilization is not optional for us. It's necessary for my peace of mind.
http://www.americanaquariumproducts.com/AquariumUVSterilization.html
I found this chart particularly useful. One can figure out the wattage needed to achieve the desired level of sterilization based on a minimum turnover rate in the tank. Level Two Sterilization requires a greater turnover rate and more wattage. Notice that Level One Sterilization is the most common aquarium application.
We have floor to ceiling picture windows and two skylights in our living room. Our 300 gallon tank quickly looked like this
Our UV sterilizer very quickly cleared up the green water.
I used to freak out when our knuckle headed fish scraped and cut themselves on the tank lids. All their scrapes heal very quickly. UV sterilization is not optional for us. It's necessary for my peace of mind.
This is an excellent article on UV sterilizers. It is really a definitive discussion on the subject.
http://www.americanaquariumproducts.com/AquariumUVSterilization.html
I found this chart particularly useful. One can figure out the wattage needed to achieve the desired level of sterilization based on a minimum turnover rate in the tank. Level Two Sterilization requires a greater turnover rate and more wattage. Notice that Level One Sterilization is the most common aquarium application.
View attachment 885781
We have floor to ceiling picture windows and two skylights in our living room. Our 300 gallon tank quickly looked like this
Our UV sterilizer very quickly cleared up the green water.
I used to freak out when our knuckle headed fish scraped and cut themselves on the tank lids. All their scrapes heal very quickly. UV sterilization is not optional for us. It's necessary for my peace of mind.
So you've noticed a decrease in time necessary for injuries to heal? That's something I never took note of guess I'll definitely have start using U.V. on my tank again as with cichlid comm's injuries are a given and a little boost to their healing is something I could definitely use. Thank you pacu mom for all the info. I'll definitely put it too good use.
"The pump is fighting over 5 feet of gravity" the pump is also being aided by the same gravity pull down on the water from the intake. As far as you bucket example, the water will push up the hose that is 5 feet in the air until it becomes equal to the water level within the bucket. If you move the end of the hose below the water line of the buket, water will flow. This if anything should show you there is no head pressure as the water is moving upwards with no pumping.
