UV sterilizer questions

[Angler]

I am considering putting a UV sterilizer on my 260 gallon. The tank is currently filtered by 2 FX5s.

I think I would rather just get a powerhead for the sterilizer instead of modifying a FX5.

It seems like Turbo Twists are the favorite, so I was thinking about getting a 36w one. For those of you with one of these, what powerhead would you suggest to use with it? How often would I need to change the bulb if I left the UV on all the time?

Any suggestions other than a Turbo Twist (cheaper than a Turbo Twist)?

 

[DMD123]

I am setting up a 210g and I have an FX5 also. I chose the AquaMedic 36w to run in the return line of the FX5. They are basically similar in design to the turbo twist. I got mine at Big Als online for $159.99; not a whole lot cheaper than the turbo twist.

I have a 9w AquaMedic on my 120g and recently had a warranty issue with it and was very happy with the speed of service and how they took care of things, so that why I got the same brand for my bigger tank.

 

[Angler]

I am setting up a 210g and I have an FX5 also. I chose the AquaMedic 36w to run in the return line of the FX5. They are basically similar in design to the turbo twist. I got mine at Big Als online for $159.99; not a whole lot cheaper than the turbo twist.

I have a 9w AquaMedic on my 120g and recently had a warranty issue with it and was very happy with the speed of service and how they took care of things, so that why I got the same brand for my bigger tank.

Thanks for the reply. I don't want to put it in the return line of my FX5 because I don't want to mess with the flowrate of my FX5. I want to put a slower flowrate through the UV so it can be more effective.

Does anyone have a suggestion on what powerhead I should use with Turbo Twist 36w?

 

[Aquanero]

The Rio Aqua Pluse 600 @ 200 gph or the 1100 at 300 gph works with the TT36 depending on the flow rate your looking for the 1100 should do the trick.

 

[Angler]

The Rio Aqua Pluse 600 @ 200 gph or the 1100 at 300 gph works with the TT36 depending on the flow rate your looking for the 1100 should do the trick.

Do you have experience with the TT36? I read that the recommended flow rate is 400 to 1200 gph. I want to stick to the lower side for maximum contact. I would think that 300 gph would work, but that goes against the recommendation I read.

edit: the 1400 has a flowrate of 425 gph, and it's only $3 more than the 1100. Maybe I would just go with that.

 

[Aquanero]

I used to have a smaller one not a TT36 but same design. I think and I'm not an expert the slower the flow (within reason) = more contact time, but yeah for 3 bucks more at 425 gph I'd use it. I think 1200 gph is pretty fast so I would stay at the low end. IMO anyway.

 

[Toby_H]

After ample exploration with several brands and sized UV units... I've developed a simple formula for sizing UV lamps...

10 GPH per 1W of UV strength...
1W of UV strength per 10 gallons of tank volume...

Thus for your 260 Gal tank, I suggest using a 26W (or larger) UV lamp...

Danner UV lamps are my personal favorite, mostly because they are fully submersible and extremely 'tough'. I've also used a few Turbo Twist units and am fairly impressed with them. I think the 36W Turbo Twist is a pretty good choice...

In line with the above formula, I would suggest pushing 360 (or slightly less) gph (actual flow rate) through your 36W UV.

I suggest using a canister filter instead of a powerhead. It is important that the water pushed through the UV lamp be as well (mechanically) filtered as possible. Any small particles will cast tiny little shadows which make the UV lamp less effective. Also, any hard or sharp particles can scratch the quartz sleeve which is scratch resistant, not scratch proof.

If you do settle for a powerhead I highly suggest you put as much prefiltration as possible on it.

 

[Angler]

After ample exploration with several brands and sized UV units... I've developed a simple formula for sizing UV lamps...

10 GPH per 1W of UV strength...
1W of UV strength per 10 gallons of tank volume...

Thus for your 260 Gal tank, I suggest using a 26W (or larger) UV lamp...

Danner UV lamps are my personal favorite, mostly because they are fully submersible and extremely 'tough'. I've also used a few Turbo Twist units and am fairly impressed with them. I think the 36W Turbo Twist is a pretty good choice...

In line with the above formula, I would suggest pushing 360 (or slightly less) gph (actual flow rate) through your 36W UV.

I suggest using a canister filter instead of a powerhead. It is important that the water pushed through the UV lamp be as well (mechanically) filtered as possible. Any small particles will cast tiny little shadows which make the UV lamp less effective. Also, any hard or sharp particles can scratch the quartz sleeve which is scratch resistant, not scratch proof.

If you do settle for a powerhead I highly suggest you put as much prefiltration as possible on it.

Thanks for the input. Iv'e been reading a lot, and it seems like all I've read is pretty spot on with what you've said. I will use a prefilter if I go with a powerhead.

Has anyone had experience with Deep Blue Submersible 35w UVs? I want to keep this simple, and the fact that these have a pump and are submersible is appealing. I can't really find any reviews about them, so that's probably a bad sign.


Oh yeah, another question. Would it work if I decide to put it inline with an XP3? They are rated at 350 gph, but I know that flow rate is probably without media...

 

[Toby_H]

I've never heard of the 35 Watt Deep Blue Submersible UV Sterilizer but in my experience most off brand inexpensive aquarium supplies aren't worth the money...

Most moderate sized canisters (such as an XP3) have an "actual flow rate" of around 50~65% of their rating. Natural the type of media used makes a differnece. So packing it full of mechanical media including fine media (filter fabric) will reduce the flow rate to closer to 50% the rating. Thus making the 350 gph canister actually move around 175 gph, which is perfect for an 18~20W UV lamp...

 

[Angler]

I've never heard of the 35 Watt Deep Blue Submersible UV Sterilizer but in my experience most off brand inexpensive aquarium supplies aren't worth the money...

Most moderate sized canisters (such as an XP3) have an "actual flow rate" of around 50~65% of their rating. Natural the type of media used makes a differnece. So packing it full of mechanical media including fine media (filter fabric) will reduce the flow rate to closer to 50% the rating. Thus making the 350 gph canister actually move around 175 gph, which is perfect for an 18~20W UV lamp...

Yeah, that Deep Blue would have probably been bad news. I was looking into it. I was searching for replacement bulbs for it, and all I could find were replacement cartridges that included the bulb plus other internal housing. These replacement cartridges were like $170.

I went ahead and ordered the Turbo Twist 12x, a Rio 1100, and a Rio pro filter to connect to the pump. I'm looking forward to seeing what this does to my water clarity.