Appropriate UV Sterilizer - Dino Battle

[MountainManReef]

Hello everyone,

Well, after making my water just way too gosh darn clean….it doesn’t look clean anymore.

More specifically I know I bottomed out NO3 and PO4.

With the help of my local HS Science Department and a microscope I believe I am battling Prorocentrum.

I have added some fish, increased feedings, added carbon to combat toxins, and have ordered some SpongeExcel.

My next step is a UV sterilizer for my IM SR60 AIO 60 gallon lagoon.

I’m looking for a hang on solution since I don’t have a big beefy return pump. Any suggestions?

It also appears IM makes drop in UV sterilizers that are undersized in terms of wattage, meant to drop in to the rear chamber filtration inlets….these are currently on sale.

Would two work in theory? Double the contact time? They are 11 watts each. I don’t want to waste time or money on something that won’t be a solution.

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[bradreef]

For procentrum dino's, uv will help but typically it won't irradicate them. Dosing silicates is key. I see you ordered sponge excel which I believe is primarily silicates. Typically you mix a little bit of this with ro water and dose daily.
High Temperature Adhesive, 2000F Rated, Sodium Silicate, Water Glass, 40% Solution, 4oz bottle, 5602 https://a.co/d/hXAHLcd

 

[bradreef]

Also could you hang something like this on the back?
Aqua UV 15 watt advantage 2000 hang on uv light https://a.co/d/dw7j4NT

 

[MountainManReef]

Yes, I could definitely hang that one, even from the sides as I do not plan to permanently run UV. I actually think I’ve owned and sold that model you suggested once or twice.

The IM models seem cheap, and all water flow seems passive, so I was looking for feedback on those or other suggestions.

Do we think 15w is enough? I certainly don’t have a full 60 gallons of volume.

Edit: Thank you for that suggestion by the way!

 

[bradreef]

15 should be enough. 11 honestly might if the contact time is good. I've never seen talk on the IM one. I will say that UV is a secondary treatment with this dino, so, I wouldnt stress UV too much.

 

[saltyhog]

I have not found UV to be effective against Prorocentrum. They are best treated with silicate dosing IME. SpongExcel is not a good choice for silicate dosing for dinos as it is too dilute and expensive. Water glass (36-41% silicate) is the best choice. It's available on Amazon in a couple of good brands (Lone Wolf and Lynn). Dose 0.2 ml/every 15 gallons of tank volume daily. Mix each dose with a good amount of RO/DI and pour it very slowly in a high flow area (such as in front of a powerhead). Be patient as it can take a few weeks to a few months to get rid of this type. Monitor slides regularly as diatoms (the goal of silicate dosing) look a lot like dinos on the sand. You can't depend on the tank appearance to judge how it's going.