UV Sterilizer Placement Question???

[blennielove]

Greeting everyone at Reef Central!
I just purchased a 36 watt Turbo Twist 12X and was contemplating where would the best place to put this monster...
1. Between sump and refugium.
2. Hook up an external Magnum 350 and that is separate from sump/refugium.
3. On one of my returns to the tank.
This is a 225 gallon reef with Lifereef Sump LF1-300S (with in-sump skimmer), LIfe Refugium 20" x 12" x 18" high, 13.5 gallons, pumped by a very powerful Blueline 70.
Your opinion is appreciated!
BlennieLove

[wooden_reefer]

Is it inline or hang-on?

You can either use a small dedicated pump and circulate the water just within the sump,

or you can plumb it thru the return of your open loop. It is generally necessary to have a by-pass so that only a fraction of the return water goes thru the UV, unless your open loop is very slow. Place the by-pass a bit lower than the other fraction of the return water. Install a valve at the inlet so that you can service the UV.

It is almost necessary to restrict the INLET of the flow to UV, epecially if you do not use a dedicated pump but a by-pass. Do not restrict at the outlet because this will create higher pressure that might crack the glass.

I would aim for about 300-400 gph flow thru a 36 W UV. Somewhat higer for turbo vs straight UV. It is suggested that for algae control the best flow can be a bit higher, than for bacterial control.

[blennielove]

I know what you mean.
For choice 1: between sump and refugium: I'm worried that the water will be too "clean" to the refugium.
For choice 2: Magnum 350: I'm wondering about flow rate because I believe it runs 350 gallons per hour, but can't I slow it down?
Choice 3: I don't really like that one.
By "inline or hang-on" what are you referring to? I'm guessing the UV is "inline".
Thanks!

[tkeracer619]

Run it on its own pump as a closed loop in the sump. A maxi-jet would be perfect.

[wooden_reefer]

Originally Posted by blennielove

I know what you mean.
For choice 1: between sump and refugium: I'm worried that the water will be too "clean" to the refugium.
For choice 2: Magnum 350: I'm wondering about flow rate because I believe it runs 350 gallons per hour, but can't I slow it down?
Choice 3: I don't really like that one.
By "inline or hang-on" what are you referring to? I'm guessing the UV is "inline".
Thanks!

Your water is unlikely too clean for any part of the circulating water, it just circulate. UV will only affect waterborne microbial population.

If you need to restrict flow, do so at the inlet to the UV. Never use a powerful pump and restrict at the outlet of the UV.