Proper UV Sterilization?

Wolfmann81 · 01/13/2010, 07:17 PM

Little help here, doing some research and need some feedback:

I have had a bit of diatom & algae (on glass, nothing too bad) outbreak lately on my 180g display. My LFS recommended looking into a UV sterilizer, so I am trying to develop some thoughts on wattage size, flow rate, etc that I should consider. I have about 215g of total water volume w/ sump, and can buy a pump to run it, depending on the flow rate that I hear feedback on. I believe it sounds better to have more dwell time through the UV. What should I be looking at, as far as wattage (feel free to name a product if comfortable) as well as a pump that I would run it with.

My LFS recommended perhaps to just run it at night (10 hrs) only, thoughts on all & any of this is much appreciated!

matt880305 · 01/13/2010, 07:47 PM

im not 100% on uv's but im pretty sure it is not going to help with your current algea problum it will help prevent them tho in the futer. for that size tank i would not go anywere under 20watts flow im not to sure about maybe someone can chime in here and help you with that. for 10hrs a night i would turn it up to 24/7 i run a 8w on a 55gal 24/7 seems to work i ran 12on 12 off at first didnt see any changes in it so i bumped it up. hope this helps alittle.
Matthew DeKing

Wolfmann81 · 01/23/2010, 09:49 PM

anybody else have addItional thoughts for me?

01/13/2010, 07:17 PM	#1
Wolfmann81 Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Monroe, Washington State Posts: 363	Proper UV Sterilization? Little help here, doing some research and need some feedback: I have had a bit of diatom & algae (on glass, nothing too bad) outbreak lately on my 180g display. My LFS recommended looking into a UV sterilizer, so I am trying to develop some thoughts on wattage size, flow rate, etc that I should consider. I have about 215g of total water volume w/ sump, and can buy a pump to run it, depending on the flow rate that I hear feedback on. I believe it sounds better to have more dwell time through the UV. What should I be looking at, as far as wattage (feel free to name a product if comfortable) as well as a pump that I would run it with. My LFS recommended perhaps to just run it at night (10 hrs) only, thoughts on all & any of this is much appreciated! __________________ Clayton aka "Wolfmann81" Current Tank Info: 180G Display Acrylic, 200+ Pounds Fiji & Tonga - LPS/SPS Mix

01/23/2010, 09:49 PM	#3
Wolfmann81 Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Monroe, Washington State Posts: 363	anybody else have addItional thoughts for me? __________________ Clayton aka "Wolfmann81" Current Tank Info: 180G Display Acrylic, 200+ Pounds Fiji & Tonga - LPS/SPS Mix

01/13/2010, 07:47 PM	#2
matt880305 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: montgomery, il Posts: 844	im not 100% on uv's but im pretty sure it is not going to help with your current algea problum it will help prevent them tho in the futer. for that size tank i would not go anywere under 20watts flow im not to sure about maybe someone can chime in here and help you with that. for 10hrs a night i would turn it up to 24/7 i run a 8w on a 55gal 24/7 seems to work i ran 12on 12 off at first didnt see any changes in it so i bumped it up. hope this helps alittle. Matthew DeKing