Hi everyone. A couple months ago I got a 9W turbo twist UV sterilizer for my 120 gallon tank, but I have not set it up yet. I have been a little hesitant because the only place I have space for it is attached to my Rena XP3. My filtration consists of the XP3 as well as an aquaclear 110. I know that the sterilizers need a slow flow rate, but I do not think that this will be a problem, as I will be have a lot of bio media in the XP3. I have heard that a UV sterilizer will reduce flow rate even more. Will the UV sterilizer attached to the XP3 and the AC 110 provide enough filtration for my 120 gallon? My stock consistes of a female festae, pike cichlid, and a pimelodus blochii catfish, but I plan on adding another large cat.
UV sterilizer
- Thread starter Optimist
- Start date
I think it should be fine since the AC110 move a lot of water. Worse case scenario is you could always add another AC110 or another XP3 if it turns out you do not have enough filtration.
Yes, it will be ok. Make sure you have a lot of bio media in both filters. I don't think you'll have an issue. Once you run it for a few weeks test the water and if ammonia and nitrite are 0 it's working.
(assuming the filters are already cycled)
(assuming the filters are already cycled)
Optimist;1099245; said:
Place a flow meter on the output hose of the xp3 after the UVS & you'll have absolute knowledge of what your gph of filtration is, no guessing to it.
You say the only place you have rm for it is on the xp3, but even w/ it & the AC110 on a 120 gal tank, it would seem there would still be plenty of rm for it on the bck as a HOB, like http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/diy/33922-plumbing-portable-uv-sterilizer.html set up. With a AC110 HOB that means that there would be enough space between the tank & the wall for the UVS as a HOB itself. This creates a much more versatile setup, big picture wise. In case the xp3 has any prob.'s, you don't want to run the UVS all the time (save $$ not having to), if you ever want to use it on another tank in the future etc.
BTW why are you needing to use a UVS on your FW tank?
Why not? UV slow slow algae growth and keep water clear.bigcichntwisted;1099354; said:BTW why are you needing to use a UVS on your FW tank?
FishGoneWild;1099360; said:
rallysman;1099384; said:And help take care of parasites
Why not? well......
I see what both of you are saying & yes, those are the general reasons givin, actually probly the only 1's for FW, how ever I was wondering what Optimists currentspecific need was.
MY suggestions & ?, were made in the spirit of understanding, growing & learning. I was hoping to better understand why 1 (UVS) might be needed in Optimist's situation. Both of you make your point's, but I'll just mention, I don't see where UVS flow rate's, to properly control anything was mentioned. What ever Optimist's objective or anyones is, I wouldn't assume they knew what flow rate is then needed. If algae is a concern, is it floating, coating or what? Maybe phosphate levels should be chked, if they haven't been, to see if anything is out of line there, causing additional/excessive algae "& or" possibly a lighting change could be maid. Personally I have found no better, more inexpensive way to keep my water clear than to maintain my water changes & make sure the food I'm feeding isn't to high in phosphates, that I'm not causing an algae prob because of such, lighting is correctly balanced i.e. only as needed & oh yeah a plec or 2 never hurts, lol. And I guess I'm "way to old school" to think that quarantine tank's, combined w/ proper quarantine time, in addition to temp control, lighting control & proper substrate vacuuming are my best & 1st line of defense for continuous parasite control .
So why not use a UVS? I don't assume everyone knows that a UVS is not necessary in a FW tank. That they (UVS's) really don't need be to be used on an all the time bases, only on rare occasions, when the rest of the basic's haven't achieved the desired effect. In to many instances $$$ is spent to buy & run/operate a UVS all the time when they (UVS's) may never have been needed to begin w/. Hence my ? to Optimist, as to what the need for 1 was at this time, thinking someone else might read this thread & get good, helpful, useful info from it & not just gleam (which seems to be all most a norm around here) that a UVS was just a standard on a 120 or any tank.
Got to go now, time to go maintain the tank.
