UV Sterilizer Questions

mattyg18 · 08/06/2016, 08:48 PM

I just ordered a 15w inline UV Sterilizer and had a install question. I was planning on installing it using my return line coming off my pump. I've already got 2 reactors running off there and from my understanding....I don't need much flow going through the pump. The slower the better. Being that I've got my pump regulated and still have some room left to go i'm confident i'll have the power to push the water through the UV.

First question is : where in the sump to send the return water after it passes through the UV? I'm guessing the last chamber with the pump.

Second Question : My cabinet is very full now and has very limited access. Is it ok to install the UV on the outside of the cabinet level with the sump? I'd rather because it will be easier to do maintenance on it in the future. I'd have to put two holes in the stand but thats easy. Also figured it would probably be better to have it outside rather than inside. Stuff seems to corrode fast inside the cabinet.

Thanks again!

thegrun · 08/07/2016, 09:45 AM

You want to adjust the flow to be at or a little below the manufacturer's recommended flow rate. It really does not matter where you dump the water, back into the return section is fine. Yes you can mount the filter outside the cabinet, but be sure it is protected from damage, I try to mount all equipment that has water in it above my sump for leakage protection, but outside of the risk of damage to the unit and leaks there are no issues with mounting it externally.

mattyg18 · 08/07/2016, 07:17 PM

Thanks thegrun. Appreciate the info. I've got one more question if you happen to get this...or if anyone can answer it. The manufacturer suggestion on flow rate is a 3-5 per hour turnover rate. How can I figure that out when setting this up? With the GFO and Carbon Reactors you can visually see the tumbling and adjust from there. With this the only thing I will see is the return water back to my sump. I have no idea how to measure a 3-5 per hour turnover.

Anyone have any ideas?

Thanks

thegrun · 08/08/2016, 10:43 AM

Take a 5 gallon bucket, run water though the UV filter and into the 5 gallon bucket. Run it for 6 minutes, measure the water in the bucket and multiply by 10.

Fish Keeper82 · 08/08/2016, 10:51 AM

If you dont have room for a 5 gallon bucket you could also place some measuring container like a paint mixing container with measurment increments on the output of the UV. Then just do the math.

Example : if it takes 5 seconds to fill up 1 quart.
(there are 4 quarts in 1 gallon)
So 20 seconds = 1 gallon of flow.

60 mins X 60 seconds are 3600 seconds in one hr.
3600 sec÷20 sec= 180 gallon in one hour .
I dont now what size tank you have but lets assume its a 50 gallon
180 ga l÷ 50gal = 3.6 turn over in this case you would have the right flow.

The 5 gallon method would take alot of math out of it.

mattyg18 · 08/10/2016, 06:41 PM

Great info fellas. Never even would have thought of that. I'll probably use a 2 gallon bucket so I don't have to wipe out my ato which is a 5 gallon bucket.

Vogon poetry · 08/16/2016, 12:01 PM

Hey MattyG. I'm gonna piggyback onto your uv sterilizer post since I forgot how to post a new friggin post! Hello reefers: I have a 60 gallon cube with sump and I want to install a 15w uv sterilizer as the last stage ie just after return pump. What befuddles me is that I have a strong (1200 gph) return pump but what's the use if the sterilizer needs a slow flow rate??? I can always place a ball valve after the pump to slow down the flow but again, doesn;t it undermine the whole premise of a strong return pump? I guess I can always upgrade uv sterilizer wattage to 25w. Not suer if that helps though. Thanks all

1jwampler · 08/16/2016, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vogon poetry

Hey MattyG. I'm gonna piggyback onto your uv sterilizer post since I forgot how to post a new friggin post! Hello reefers: I have a 60 gallon cube with sump and I want to install a 15w uv sterilizer as the last stage ie just after return pump. What befuddles me is that I have a strong (1200 gph) return pump but what's the use if the sterilizer needs a slow flow rate??? I can always place a ball valve after the pump to slow down the flow but again, doesn;t it undermine the whole premise of a strong return pump? I guess I can always upgrade uv sterilizer wattage to 25w. Not suer if that helps though. Thanks all

Use a TEE to take some of the flow from your return pump (ball valve on the UV side) then use a TEE on the output of the UV and connect them back together. This will split your flow with the valve all the way open. You can close the valve to slow the flow to the UV but your tank will still get all the flow your pump can deliver to that height.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

mattyg18 · 08/16/2016, 02:35 PM

I ended up leaving my return alone because I already had 2 reactors hooked up. Instead I added a small pump I the sump with a ball valve dedicated for the uv. This was also recommended by a fellow RC bud and seems to be the best scenario for my setup. It's been 3 days with the UV so far and I'm happy. Water is clearer than ever.

Good Luck!!

08/06/2016, 08:48 PM	#1
mattyg18 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Commack, NY Posts: 284	UV Sterilizer Questions I just ordered a 15w inline UV Sterilizer and had a install question. I was planning on installing it using my return line coming off my pump. I've already got 2 reactors running off there and from my understanding....I don't need much flow going through the pump. The slower the better. Being that I've got my pump regulated and still have some room left to go i'm confident i'll have the power to push the water through the UV. First question is : where in the sump to send the return water after it passes through the UV? I'm guessing the last chamber with the pump. Second Question : My cabinet is very full now and has very limited access. Is it ok to install the UV on the outside of the cabinet level with the sump? I'd rather because it will be easier to do maintenance on it in the future. I'd have to put two holes in the stand but thats easy. Also figured it would probably be better to have it outside rather than inside. Stuff seems to corrode fast inside the cabinet. Thanks again!

08/07/2016, 09:45 AM	#2
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	You want to adjust the flow to be at or a little below the manufacturer's recommended flow rate. It really does not matter where you dump the water, back into the return section is fine. Yes you can mount the filter outside the cabinet, but be sure it is protected from damage, I try to mount all equipment that has water in it above my sump for leakage protection, but outside of the risk of damage to the unit and leaks there are no issues with mounting it externally.

08/07/2016, 07:17 PM	#3
mattyg18 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Commack, NY Posts: 284	Thanks thegrun. Appreciate the info. I've got one more question if you happen to get this...or if anyone can answer it. The manufacturer suggestion on flow rate is a 3-5 per hour turnover rate. How can I figure that out when setting this up? With the GFO and Carbon Reactors you can visually see the tumbling and adjust from there. With this the only thing I will see is the return water back to my sump. I have no idea how to measure a 3-5 per hour turnover. Anyone have any ideas? Thanks

08/08/2016, 10:43 AM	#4
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	Take a 5 gallon bucket, run water though the UV filter and into the 5 gallon bucket. Run it for 6 minutes, measure the water in the bucket and multiply by 10.

08/08/2016, 10:51 AM	#5
Fish Keeper82 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 691	If you dont have room for a 5 gallon bucket you could also place some measuring container like a paint mixing container with measurment increments on the output of the UV. Then just do the math. Example : if it takes 5 seconds to fill up 1 quart. (there are 4 quarts in 1 gallon) So 20 seconds = 1 gallon of flow. 60 mins X 60 seconds are 3600 seconds in one hr. 3600 sec÷20 sec= 180 gallon in one hour . I dont now what size tank you have but lets assume its a 50 gallon 180 ga l÷ 50gal = 3.6 turn over in this case you would have the right flow. The 5 gallon method would take alot of math out of it.

08/10/2016, 06:41 PM	#6
mattyg18 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Commack, NY Posts: 284	Great info fellas. Never even would have thought of that. I'll probably use a 2 gallon bucket so I don't have to wipe out my ato which is a 5 gallon bucket.

08/16/2016, 12:01 PM	#7
Vogon poetry Registered Member Join Date: May 2016 Location: Presently living on earth Posts: 39	Hey MattyG. I'm gonna piggyback onto your uv sterilizer post since I forgot how to post a new friggin post! Hello reefers: I have a 60 gallon cube with sump and I want to install a 15w uv sterilizer as the last stage ie just after return pump. What befuddles me is that I have a strong (1200 gph) return pump but what's the use if the sterilizer needs a slow flow rate??? I can always place a ball valve after the pump to slow down the flow but again, doesn;t it undermine the whole premise of a strong return pump? I guess I can always upgrade uv sterilizer wattage to 25w. Not suer if that helps though. Thanks all

08/16/2016, 02:35 PM	#9
mattyg18 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Commack, NY Posts: 284	I ended up leaving my return alone because I already had 2 reactors hooked up. Instead I added a small pump I the sump with a ball valve dedicated for the uv. This was also recommended by a fellow RC bud and seems to be the best scenario for my setup. It's been 3 days with the UV so far and I'm happy. Water is clearer than ever. Good Luck!!