How to pick The right UV STERILIZER

[TOMACONDA]

Happy Wednesday ! So I just finished putting together my 233g display and my journey has led me to the UV probably being a good preventative for a couple of different things in the tank one being fish health and other against different algae is this correct? However, the flow rate going through the UV decides on which I’m treating for? Does this mean I need to have to have two UV sterilizers running at different rates, do I run the UV sterilizer at different rates at different times to treat different things. So I only have one unit !

Then this leads me to how to pick the proper size for a 233 gallon display in roughly 50 or 60 gallon sump

I am pretty sure. I also read somewhere that it needs to be installed horizontally.

 

[get-salty]

My man, that is an awesome mancave/fishroom !

So the UV thing can be tricky.... but i wont go into that. I'll let you dive into it yourself brother lol

My setup, 120gal total vol.
- Aqua classic 25w.
- Horizontal on floor, with a slight angle where output is the higher side to prevent air bubbles.
- I just added a magnificent foxface ( after 3 wks in QT - eating pellets, mysis, and nori ! ) so I turned down the pump and running it at 175 gph to prevent any harmful parasites - just for few wks.
Now, some people might disagree on the 175 gph but that is my setup !

Having that said... OC you do the opposite to kill/reduce/prevent algae... cranking up the pump or the gph higher.

Basically, i keep my UV running 24/7 at around 250-275 gph.

There should be instructions and recommendations on which brand of UV you purchase.
Lastly, you've just missed BRS Labor Day sales !

Good luck and happy reefing.

 

[TOMACONDA]

My man, that is an awesome mancave/fishroom !

So the UV thing can be tricky.... but i wont go into that. I'll let you dive into it yourself brother lol

My setup, 120gal total vol.
- Aqua classic 25w.
- Horizontal on floor, with a slight angle where output is the higher side to prevent air bubbles.
- I just added a magnificent foxface ( after 3 wks in QT - eating pellets, mysis, and nori ! ) so I turned down the pump and running it at 175 gph to prevent any harmful parasites - just for few wks.
Now, some people might disagree on the 175 gph but that is my setup !

Having that said... OC you do the opposite to kill/reduce/prevent algae... cranking up the pump or the gph higher.

Basically, i keep my UV running 24/7 at around 250-275 gph.

There should be instructions and recommendations on which brand of UV you purchase.
Lastly, you've just missed BRS Labor Day sales !

Good luck and happy reefing.

How do you have this plumbed if it’s sitting on the floor are you using Soft tub plumbing tied into a return line

 

[get-salty]

How do you have this plumbed if it’s sitting on the floor are you using Soft tub plumbing tied into a return line

My tank is roughly 8" inches away from the wall. I reused packaging styrofoam, stacking two up to roughly 12" off of the floor (behind my tank). I then carved out an inch deep on one side so that the UV sits at about 5 degree lower on the inlet side. Im using black soft tubing. the UV pump is in my return chamber along with the main return pump and the UV return line goes back into the same chamber but i have it pointed straight at the main return pump so that it goes ( most of it ) back into the main display. Now some will say this is not the ideal way of having the UV pump and having it returning back into the same chamber. To test the water flow, i used Redsea AB+ and dumped it straight into the return chamber. AB+ went out and into my main display spreading it throughout. OC not 100% will make it up back into the mian display, some will just recirculate.. but that is OK ! I know that the UV is working and is able to make its way back into the display.

This configuration is what ive settled with bc i added the UV last and not having that much room on the skimmer chamber and not wanting chaeto clogging up the UV pump on the chamber next to it.

Hope this will give you some kind of ideas...

I think an appropreaite size UV for your tank is the 57w.

 

[Darstar301]

I also have a system with about the same volume. I have a AquaUV 57watt running 24/7 connected to a dedicated DC pump so I can control the flow for what is needed.

 

[TOMACONDA]

I also have a system with about the same volume. I have a AquaUV 57watt running 24/7 connected to a dedicated DC pump so I can control the flow for what is needed.

I see so you’re running an independent pump altogether. What pump are you running for this? I have an old JBO that I used to run on a 90 gallon that I was thinking about using for my saltwater mixing tank might be better serve being DC a UV

 

[get-salty]

currently, There is an Aqua 57w UV for sale w/out bulb for 350 shipped. seller name is Saltwater Depot

 

[TOMACONDA]

currently, There is an Aqua 57w UV for sale w/out bulb for 350 shipped. seller name is Saltwater Depot

I was able to snag one from brs on sale so I splurged

 

[Rp8]

Mine is slightly slanted mounted hortizontally. Indepedent simplicity pump. Has worked great.

 

[PharmrJohn]

My tank is roughly 8" inches away from the wall. I reused packaging styrofoam, stacking two up to roughly 12" off of the floor (behind my tank). I then carved out an inch deep on one side so that the UV sits at about 5 degree lower on the inlet side. Im using black soft tubing. the UV pump is in my return chamber along with the main return pump and the UV return line goes back into the same chamber but i have it pointed straight at the main return pump so that it goes ( most of it ) back into the main display. Now some will say this is not the ideal way of having the UV pump and having it returning back into the same chamber. To test the water flow, i used Redsea AB+ and dumped it straight into the return chamber. AB+ went out and into my main display spreading it throughout. OC not 100% will make it up back into the mian display, some will just recirculate.. but that is OK ! I know that the UV is working and is able to make its way back into the display.

This configuration is what ive settled with bc i added the UV last and not having that much room on the skimmer chamber and not wanting chaeto clogging up the UV pump on the chamber next to it.

Hope this will give you some kind of ideas...

I think an appropreaite size UV for your tank is the 57w.

I agree with 57W. I'll have one on my 203g when I launch. But if you don't already know, a UV fixture is HUGE! Take a look on YouTube for an unpacking vid. I was actually shocked at the size.

And if I'm not mistaken @vetteguy53081 has a suggestion on a brand that is very good.

 

[TOMACONDA]

I agree with 57W. I'll have one on my 203g when I launch. But if you don't already know, a UV fixture is HUGE! Take a look on YouTube for an unpacking vid. I was actually shocked at the size.

And if I'm not mistaken @vetteguy53081 has a suggestion on a brand that is very good.

lol ! That is hysterical I knew they were kinda big. I had no idea that’s funny. I have plenty of room because my fish room is set up in my basement, but thanks for the heads up.

 

[Darstar301]

I am running a 6K jabeo DC pump for the 57 watt UV, you will want to install the UV with the flow going in the bottom with the return flow on top. The 57 watt is very small compared to the 40 watt UV.

 

[Gundy]

From all of my hours of research, I have found that many people recommend to buy the largest UV you can put under your tank or fit in the allotted space. I am setting up a 380 and will have 2- 150 watt UV’s. The truth is, we really don’t know exactly how much UV a tank needs to control protazoa. That why a lot of guys go as big as they can.

 

[Hair Algae Wizard]

Folks, are there any diagrams on how best to plumb this? Can I use a separate feed pump that then taps into my return?