Where the best place to put UV sterilizer

[takayan]

I am thinking to install UV sterilizer, but I do not where the best place to install is. Originally, I was thinking to install UV sterilizer between a sump and a display tank. However, I want to keep the water cycling between the sump and the display tank for 10 times/h. I was told the 10 time/h is good cycling rate for Berlin system for having good filtering result. Therefore, I need 1,000GPH for my main pump.

The total volume of my tank is 100Gal and I plan to use QL-40. Based on the link below, 300gph is good for both parasites and bacteria. However, 300gph is way slow to the my target flow rate between sump and display tank.

From this analysis, I think I should not install the UV sterilizer between my sump and display tank, but should install it separately from the main pump. Is my understanding correct? Or am I missing something?

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/pic/ar...?articleid=435

[JBarnes]

I simply have a port running off the main pump to the UV and then have that output to the tank. Or you could simply run the output back to the sump. If you look at the BRS video's they did that on their video. You do need a good valve that you can adjust the flow to the UV to make sure you don't run too much flow through it.

[GimpyFin]

IMO, I'd run it separate from the return with an auxillary pump in the sump. You can just put the output in the sump as well.

[takayan]

So slower is better?

[GimpyFin]

It really depends on what you're targeting to kill and the rating of the bulb/sterilizer. Most of the manufacturers publish charts showing how effective the sterilizer is (Measured in microwatt seconds/cm2) at a given flow rate. Free floating algae can generally be killed with higher flow rates, whereas something like parasites require less flow/more contact time.

[jd371]

I have a "Y" fitting on the return pump that feeds the tank and the UV. The feed to the UV also has a ball valve to adjust the flow through the UV, from there it goes to the tank.

[Fishbulb2]

Originally Posted by GimpyFin

IMO, I'd run it separate from the return with an auxillary pump in the sump. You can just put the output in the sump as well.

Yes, I agree with this entirely. That's how I have mine setup. It's much better. Mine goes skimmer, then to UV, then to refugium, then back to tank. It cleared my water up within just a few hours. I love my UV system. But do run it separate from your return.

Sometimes I get large amphipods then "back track" from the refugium to the UV unit and you can see that it really kills them efficiently. I have the output of the UV running into a phosban reactor and there are a lot of cooked amphipods in there. But it must be less than if I put the UV filter between the refugium and the return.

FB

[FLSharkvictim]

Since I had no room in the front where my sump is I hard plumbed my UV to the back of my tank at the bottom and it came out amazing, see pixs.. If you haven't installed it yet, I would HIGHLY recommend installing a flow meter like I did and hard plumb it in. Then you have full control on how much water you want to push through your UV by controlling it with your Gate Valve. Let me know your thoughts?

TANK INFO:
120 Mixed Reef
Ecotech M1 pump
Skimz 163 DC Montzer Series skimmer
Custom sump / Refuge
2 Maxspect Gyre XF130's Pumps
2 AI Hydra TwentySix HD LED Fixtures
Celestial C35W Maxspect Grow Spot light
Aqua UV Ultraviolet Sterilizer 25w
BRS Dual Media reactor
Eshoops IV Master doser
Smart Micro ato

[FLSharkvictim]

Originally Posted by FLSharkvictim

Since I had no room in the front where my sump is I hard plumbed my UV to the back of my tank at the bottom and it came out amazing, see pixs.. If you haven't installed it yet, I would HIGHLY recommend installing a flow meter like I did and hard plumb it in. Let me know your thoughts?

[takayan]

Do you have a link for the flow meter?

[FLSharkvictim]

I think I grabbed it off this site here. They are not cheap let me tell ya,, I think I paid $90 plus shipping for mine but well worth every penny in my opinion. The MFG is Blue White Industries, INC.
Everything is running off my Ecotech Vetra M1 by the way. My model # on the meter is the following F-44750L-12

http://www.globaltestsupply.com/prod...0-10-gpm-water

[slief]

The best place for a UV is on a closed loop though that's not always possible.
You inquired about the flow meter that sharkvictim is using. I suspect it's one of these. http://www.flowmeterclub.com/water-f...ter_flowmeter/

Having used UV filtered for decades, I don't find the need to be that precise with flow. You can always use a bucket test to determine the flow or just match the pump to your flow requirements. One of the most critical points to consider when you decide where to place the UV is ease of access. The bulbs will needs replacing and unless you get a UV with Wipers, the sleeves will need cleaning. As such, you want to install the UV where it can be easily accessed and easily serviced. I also suggest having valves before and after so you can shut the flow off and prevent excess water from draining through the fittings when you service it.

Here is how I have mine setup. Mine is a 114 watt unit and it's hard plumbed directly onto my closed loop pump. I have valves before and after allowing me to prevent water from draining through when I service it. It's also very easy to service and can be removed from my system with little effort. In fact, I can pull the entire filter out in less than 2 minutes.

[madreefer2013]

Originally Posted by slief

The best place for a UV is on a closed loop though that's not always possible.
You inquired about the flow meter that sharkvictim is using. I suspect it's one of these. http://www.flowmeterclub.com/water-f...ter_flowmeter/

Having used UV filtered for decades, I don't find the need to be that precise with flow. You can always use a bucket test to determine the flow or just match the pump to your flow requirements. One of the most critical points to consider when you decide where to place the UV is ease of access. The bulbs will needs replacing and unless you get a UV with Wipers, the sleeves will need cleaning. As such, you want to install the UV where it can be easily accessed and easily serviced. I also suggest having valves before and after so you can shut the flow off and prevent excess water from draining through the fittings when you service it.

Here is how I have mine setup. Mine is a 114 watt unit and it's hard plumbed directly onto my closed loop pump. I have valves before and after allowing me to prevent water from draining through when I service it. It's also very easy to service and can be removed from my system with little effort. In fact, I can pull the entire filter out in less than 2 minutes.

I have another pump in my return section pushing water through the UV steriliser and then the output back into the return section . Is this correct ?

I don’t want to t off the return pump because I want. a certain flow for my DT which doesn’t match the UV flow requirements.

[slief]

Originally Posted by madreefer2013

I have another pump in my return section pushing water through the UV steriliser and then the output back into the return section . Is this correct ?

I don’t want to t off the return pump because I want. a certain flow for my DT which doesn’t match the UV flow requirements.

That will work just fine too but it would be slightly more effective if you have it return directly to the display. If that isn’t convenient, then just return it to the sump. Only downside is that you will be recirculating some of the sterilized water back through the UV unit where as if you return to the display, you are returning sterilized water to the display.

[madreefer2013]

Originally Posted by slief

That will work just fine too but it would be slightly more effective if you have it return directly to the display. If that isn’t convenient, then just return it to the sump. Only downside is that you will be recirculating some of the sterilized water back through the UV unit where as if you return to the display, you are returning sterilized water to the display.

Thanks for the advice .its hard for me to t off the return since my Clarisea filter requires a certain flow otherwise the water level in the DT will be haywire . The guys at BRS seem to say sump to sump is a no no. I followed their advice and bought a Pentair 50w HO unit . Guess what ? It doesn’t work. Having researched more it seems they have a lot of ballasts failing . Should have gone with aqua Now I have Mandingo stuck next to my tank waiting for a new ballast .

[bhazard1]

I'd pull out of my sumps incoming baffled area and then return near the sump return pump. I can't see why this doesn't work.