uv questions

[midnight]

i just got a uv sterilizer from lowes.
its an 18 watt one.
will a 200gph pump be good for it?
and it doesnt say what side is in and out.
does it matter what way it flows?
and also,after i get rid of the green water,can i just turn it on a few hours or a day a week?
thanks in advance

 

[midnight]

and in the book it says nothing on what size pump.

 

[midnight]

sorry for all the questions.
how do i know if it has to many gph or to less of gph running through it?
also,in the book it says put it downstream of filter,is that after the filter?in the return line?
and does it go horizontal or vertical or can it go both ways?
thanks in advance

 

[Dr Joe]

Hi midnight,

Congrats on the purchase.

Nothing about flow rates on the package? WOW, most important info they could miss.

I'd go with a 200-300gph flow rate (pump or return line if it's slow enough), watch it's effects and throttle it back if necessary.

Your right 'down stream' is the return line.

Depending on your green water (aren't we polite) problem, you can try intermittant use once you have a handle on it.

In-out doesn't matter on some units so if they didn't label it (no tiny little arrow, I or O?) I guess this is one of them.

If it doesn't say differently, horizonal / vertical mountong doesn't matter (I've used both)

2 things to remember, 1) they need occasional cleaning (especially if flowing while bulb is off), 2) bulbs need replacing every 8-12 mo.s (depending on hours run).

Good Luck,

Dr Joe

.

 

[T1KARMANN]

a uv needs to be turned on 24/7 parastes and green water dont sleep

the bulb last for 6 months if they were ment to be turned off the time would be stated in hours not months ike normal light tubes

if you turn a uv of and on you are defeting the purpuse of it

if you dont belive me call the people who make the dam thing

 

[midnight]

thanks a bunch joe,will check a few of those things out later.
ya nothing on box or instructions on gph,i thought that was to.
all they give is a 1800 # and an e mail,no wonder it was on sale,lol.
it was 75 bucks

T1KARMANN,
wake up on the wrong side of the bed?
or someone wee in your cereal?

 

[T1KARMANN]

thanks a bunch joe,will check a few of those things out later.
ya nothing on box or instructions on gph,i thought that was to.
all they give is a 1800 # and an e mail,no wonder it was on sale,lol.
it was 75 bucks

T1KARMANN,
wake up on the wrong side of the bed?
or someone wee in your cereal?

fact they are ment to be turned on 24/7 unless your eye are so good they can see parasites in the water

i hear so many people mainly from asia saying the uv can be turn on and off when needed how do you know when is needed

if you are just using the uv for green water then you dont realy know what its for and not useing it to its max potential

the bulb is designed for 6 months of 24/7 use

pond uv sole perpuse is for green water a tropical tank UV work diffent thats why thier is no point in using a pond uv on a tank

if you are trying to save money buy using a pond uv you are wasting your time

 

[johnptc]

i think you have over simplified the uv issue....

1) uv bulbs come in different frequencies ( wavelengths)...the different wavelengths are most effective for different uses.....eg parasites, algaes ,virus to name a few.

2) the wattage of the units vary and how close the water flows to the bulb(s)... ( also water clarity)...the closer the water to the bulb the higher the uv radiation....

3) the water flow rate determines the 'contact time' , too slow is overkill and a waste...while too fast is a complete waste as the water will pass thru before the uv has done its job.

4) 1,2,3 above determine whether the 'stuff' going thru the uv gets killed or neutered.

a pond uv vrs a fish tank uv is not as an important difference...as 1 2 3 above...pond uvs tend to be lower wattage etc.but the flow rate can be calulated correctly to do the job at hand...along with the correct wavelength bulbs

running 24/7.....or not

depending on the size ( wattage etc) of the uv unit it can be run as follows:

undersized unit.....run all the time....it may or may not help...same as too high a flow rate

just adequate size unit.... run 24/7 will be fine until the uv output of the bulbs go down with time or there is any scum on the tubes which prevent all the uv light from going into the water and doing a complete job

larger size unit............run only long enough to sterilze the water to a pre determined level ...ie 99.5% ........rest..........run again..........rest etc

this could be 6 hrs on 6 off............etc...depends on 123 above and the tank in question

see escobars book for full details on this calculation....this is the same type of calculation as to how long it takes to filter 'all' the water in the tank......

have fun

fact they are ment to be turned on 24/7 unless your eye are so good they can see parasites in the water

i hear so many people mainly from asia saying the uv can be turn on and off when needed how do you know when is needed

if you are just using the uv for green water then you dont realy know what its for and not useing it to its max potential

the bulb is designed for 6 months of 24/7 use

pond uv sole perpuse is for green water a tropical tank UV work diffent thats why thier is no point in using a pond uv on a tank

if you are trying to save money buy using a pond uv you are wasting your time

 

[midnight]

T1KARMANN,you have anger issues dont ya?lol

if you are just using the uv for green water then you dont realy know what its for and not useing it to its max potential

ok so how do i get rid of "just" the green water?

pond uv sole perpuse is for green water a tropical tank UV work diffent thats why thier is no point in using a pond uv on a tank

if you are trying to save money buy using a pond uv you are wasting your time

where does it say im using a pond one on a tank?

and johnptc,lol,thats a book.
i just needed to know those few questions is all.lol

3) the water flow rate determines the 'contact time' , too slow is overkill and a waste...while too fast is a complete waste as the water will pass thru before the uv has done its job.

and for an 18watt the gph would be.........

and joe,i looked on the uv and theres no markings of any kind to say what way the water flows.

 

[johnptc]

cant tell.........what is the brand and model.....maybe i can dig something up for you.

set it up with your pump with a by pass line/valve so you can reduce the flow thru the uv.....maybe 200 gph and see if it helps.....in the mean time maybe i or someone else can give you a more accurate answer.....john

T1KARMANN,you have anger issues dont ya?lol


ok so how do i get rid of "just" the green water?


where does it say im using a pond one on a tank?

and johnptc,lol,thats a book.
i just needed to know those few questions is all.lol


and for an 18watt the gph would be.........

and joe,i looked on the uv and theres no markings of any kind to say what way the water flows.