Uv-sterilizer for 190g, advice needed.

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S

ss720

Gambusia
MFK Member
Nov 20, 2005
768
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16
Norway
This is my tank
View attachment 1014644

I'm looking for a uv light to prevent algae.

Eheim has a 11w uv sterilizer meant for tanks up to 200 gallons.

But would anyone recommend anything else?

Or would this suffice?
I'm currently using a fluval fx6, but to use the uv light I need a lower flow in order for it to be efficient.

I was recommended to hook the Eheim uv with a Eheim Ecco 200 or the 300, I'm leaning towards the 200 because of lower flow. And I'll be having mostly mechanical filtration in this.

Any input is welcome.


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I can't recommend a specific model. You probably know all this, but you said "any input is welcome" so here goes.

Dwell time and amount of UV wattage are what determines effectiveness, assuming turbidity is low, water circulation is good, and spacing between the source light and the water is good. 40-50 gph per watt is one standard to control algae. In that case 40x11=440 gph or 50x11=550, which is a turnover of 2-3x per hour. That is the maximum speed, as going faster reduces dwell time and effectiveness.

You however don't need to turnover the tank that fast to control algae, so you could use a smaller wattage and run it slower.

The problem with smaller wattages is that UVs degrade over time, that water is not always pristine and circulation is not always perfect. In that a case, a little higher wattage will enable you to run slower and be more certain that when you replace the bulb after 6 months, that it was still effective.

(FYI, if you run the 11 watt at around 150 gph, you'll kill off bacteria and some virus as well if the conditions are optimal (low turbidity) at least during the first few months of the bulb's life, however that won't control any fast replicating bacteria. Still, even at the slower speeds, algae will be in check, so the larger wattage might do more than simply kill off algae.)

Again, pristine water, good circulation, proper dwell time and replacement effectiveness is down will help a great deal.


btw stunning tank.
 
For my 220 I got a 25 watt on a 800 gph pump from my sump up to the display tank and it kills everything. But wattage isnt everything as you already caught on its about the flow. I kept a 25x12x6 pond clear of algae with a 9v uv on a 600 gph pump.

http://www.lowes.com/pd_248376-6008...L=?Ns=p_product_qty_sales_dollar|1&facetInfo=

Seems they jacked up the price, I bought it for 30 bucks about 2-3 years ago and bulbs are 20 bucks so its very affordable and available everywhere basically.
 
To combat algae, what canister filter would you get?

The eheim ecco pro300 or the eheim classic 350?

I think the flow rate is similar, so it shouldn't matter. I think the classic 350 have bigger filter volume, which should be good for trapping more particles before the water interacts with the uv light.

Input/alternatives are welcomed,


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My main concerns are not bacterial but algae.

This is what I'm thinking;

11w Eheim uv on Eheim classic 600 (2217)

Which has a flow rate of 265 gallons an hour.

Which means about 25 gallons per watt an hour. This sounds good to me, I will in a month or two get another 11w and a Eheim 600 to run at the same time and function as backups should the main filter stop.

The Eheim 600 (2217) has good turnover, and large media capacity, which should play an important role of clearing the water of particles before interaction with the uv light..


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So what should i get?

Eheim classic 350 or 600?

600 is easier to hook up, 350 would need some extra parts to hook it up to the uv, so price wise they are basically the same for me.

But 350 has lower flow. while the 600 is below the limit, it's very close to it before no effect on algae.

I'll check and see if any responses are in after 12h, if not I'm going to go with the 600.



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2217 because the flow may get reduced slightly as it gets dirty and they come with "double taps" that you can turn down the flow on.
 
both are decent so whichever you get it'll preform well with a uv
 
I've ordered the 600 with see through/black intake for esthetic purposes, and some clamps and extra hosing.

If this turn out to be good, I'll add one more 600 and uv.

Still got no idea what to have of fish....
The fear of algae and not be able to take care of my ferns and Anubias is taking all my time, I've ordered special fertilizer designed for these plants from the same company that grows the plants. It all looks great now, hopefully I can keep it that way, that's my challenge.

Even though this is an extremely hardy and low demanding plant, they are extremely easy to get algae on them, and suddenly I have a not so nice tank.

But so far, not a trace of algae, I even cover the tank with blankets when the lights are off. Not finished cycling yet, probably a week or two too go.

I've put 10 Potts of egeria densa to eat up any nutrion that might go to algae, so I need fertilizers for my Anubias and javas, will get them with uv and 600 on Friday.

My awe of people with planted tanks have increased.
But I want some fish, that's the whole point of it for me, but I'm loving plants as well, so much to learn every single day.


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