uv sterilizer + fresh water=?

[tcarswell]

I got mine to help prevent disease in my tank. 18w, I run it at about 150gph (which is what it slows my 260gph canister down to.) I got it after I realized a new fish had some ich. The ich did not break out.
I've never had trouble with water clarity so that's not why I got it. I can probably turn it off and remove it now, but I haven't bothered.

Same story on my 90 gallon. 18 watt TT it rules. I switched from running it from a canister to an aquaclear 50 powerhead with the micron pre filter so I could adjust the flow if needed to bump flow up or down... Not necessary yet

 

[shua]

what gph should i use in my 950 gph sump on my 250g?

 

[Toby_H]

I highly suggest the forumula of:

1W of UV Strength per 10 gallons of water volume in your tank/system...
10 gph flowing through your UV light per 1 W of UV strength...

So that would be a 25W UV light on a 250 gal tank... with 250 gph flowing through the 25W unit...

If you have a 50 gal sump on your 250 gal tank... then make that a 30W UV light with 300 gph flowing through it...

Feel free to use a a slightly larger light... feel free to run slightly less water through it... but do not use a smaller UV and do not run more current through it...

This will be effective against parasites as well as offering all other potential benefits that a UV offers...

 

[shua]

I highly suggest the forumula of:

1W of UV Strength per 10 gallons of water volume in your tank/system...
10 gph flowing through your UV light per 1 W of UV strength...

So that would be a 25W UV light on a 250 gal tank... with 250 gph flowing through the 25W unit...

If you have a 50 gal sump on your 250 gal tank... then make that a 30W UV light with 300 gph flowing through it...

Feel free to use a a slightly larger light... feel free to run slightly less water through it... but do not use a smaller UV and do not run more current through it...

This will be effective against parasites as well as offering all other potential benefits that a UV offers...

Thanks every one for the info.. i will be looking for one any brand you guys suggest ?

 

[fishbum]

How long do you guys leave yours on for?

Mine run 24/7 , but I have heard this is not necessary.

 

[Toby_H]

Danner's Pondmater UV's are built like tanks... they come in 10W, 20W & 40W... I highly recommend them...

Turbo Twists work well just dont drop them... they come in 9W, 18W & 36W... I commonly recommend them...

Aqua UV has a good reputation although I've never used them personally...

 

[Toby_H]

I run mine 24/7...

The act of turning on erodes the bulb more than several hours of constant illumination...

I've been adviced by very trusted sources that leaving them on 12 hours / off 12 hours will slightly extend the life of the bulb... running them 6 hours on 6 hours off would make the bulb last less time than running it 24/7...

I change my bulbs once per year... New Year's Day (give or take) at my house... Just so it's easy to remember...

 

[shua]

Danner's Pondmater UV's are built like tanks... they come in 10W, 20W & 40W... I highly recommend them...

Turbo Twists work well just dont drop them... they come in 9W, 18W & 36W... I commonly recommend them...

Aqua UV has a good reputation although I've never used them personally...

is there a 30w that you know of or what can i do there? or am ignorant to something

 

[Toby_H]

You are limited to what they make... So if your tank volume + sump volume is 300 gal... you are looking for a 30W or larger UV light...

So I would suggest the Danner 40W... or Turbo Twist 36W...

I've used many models of those brands and am confident in them... I'm also quite well read on UV lights and I am not aware of any brand I would steer you away from. Just avoid the "foreign knock offs"...

You can shop around, you may find a 30W UV... I have a 13W which is an odd size... I have no clue who the manufacturer is, but it works great...

 

[shua]

You are limited to what they make... So if your tank volume + sump volume is 300 gal... you are looking for a 30W or larger UV light...

So I would suggest the Danner 40W... or Turbo Twist 36W...

I've used many models of those brands and am confident in them... I'm also quite well read on UV lights and I am not aware of any brand I would steer you away from. Just avoid the "foreign knock offs"...

You can shop around, you may find a 30W UV... I have a 13W which is an odd size... I have no clue who the manufacturer is, but it works great...

ok i miss read you earlyer post i thought i shouldn't use a bigger bulb thank you again