Question about the Oceanic UV sterilizer with a Biocube 29 gallon

DaveWF · 10/07/2010, 08:45 AM

Hi everyone,
I picked up a CHEAP barely used Oceanic UV Sterilizer off of Craigslist, but it is missing the tubing on bottom and right angle piece on top of the unit.
I found some directions online and it says I can use some flexible 1/2" tubing for the bottom if it doesn't line up right. Can I use that on top to connect to the outflow into the aquarium in place of the right angle piece that's missing?

Thanks!
Dave in Lombard

lordofthereef · 10/07/2010, 09:21 AM

Without being familiar with the unit, so long as you are able to make it water tight and flow properly, I don't see a reason to expect it not to work.

DaveWF · 10/07/2010, 10:03 AM

In answer to my own question (for people that may find this in the future), NO you need more then just 1/2" tubing...
you need very short lengths of 1/2" tubing and 3/8" tubing. On the bottom end of the sterilizer you need to put a small piece (like 1/2" long) of the 3/8" tubing to act as a bushing. This should cover, but not extend beyond the black plastic shaft on the sterilizer. Then you use the 1/2" tubing and slide it OVER the 3/8" tubing and then leave about 3/4" to 1" of tubing hanging off the end to slide onto the pump. The tubing should be short enough that the pump touches the sterilizer inside the tubing.
On the other end, it's just the opposite. I was able to use the existing 90 degree black plastic piece that connected the old plastic tubing to the outflow nozzle, but had to use the 3/8" tubing "bushing" on the base of that and then the 1/2" tubing goes over that piece and connects to the plastic fitting on top of the sterilizer. Once again, I had to cut it short enough that the two pieces touched eachother inside the tubing. With a little squeezing, I was able to get everything connected properly and am now running the water through the sterilizer. Total cost for replacement parts, about 50 cents and I only used a couple inches of the 6 inches of each tube that I purchased.

FWIW, I tried eliminating the stock 90 degree black plastic piece that connects to the outflow nozzle. I was able to replace it with 1/2" tubing, but the sharp turn in the tube almost completely eliminated flow.

I picked up the filter on Craigslist for $25 so my total cost was $25.50. He said the bulb had about 3 months use on it so I figure I'm WAY ahead of the game so far.

Weeeeee

Dave in Lombard

martyharrison · 05/26/2011, 10:09 AM

Hey Dave,
Just wanted to check in and see if that UV sterilizer is working out for you? Are you still happy with the purchase? Any thoughts for someone considering that purchase???
Thanks!
-Marty

pentrix2 · 05/26/2011, 12:30 PM

tagging along, i would like to know too.

MrTuskfish · 05/26/2011, 12:58 PM

Just a curiosity question to all the posters above; what do you expect the UV to do for your tank?

martyharrison · 05/27/2011, 11:59 PM

They claim to reduce algae outbreaks and prevent some fish illnesses. Do you contest that claim?

MrTuskfish · 05/28/2011, 06:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by martyharrison

They claim to reduce algae outbreaks and prevent some fish illnesses. Do you contest that claim?

You're right. UV can help with both But a lot of folks expect UV to cure or prevent ich (and other parasites) that it can't do.

bnumair · 05/28/2011, 08:10 AM

to my knowledge and for what i have learned uv filter are good in situations where more than 1 tank is plumbed togather. in a single tank i dont find much use for it. a good tank and a good QT practice along with coral dips would keep most pests out and a regular water change and control feeding with god filter socks and filteration system u can get rid of phos and nitrates. thus resulting in no algae or pests

DaveWF · 09/13/2011, 07:16 AM

Wow, I was digging through my history and found this old post - who knew people were following MY thread looking for some advice? Sorry, I didn't follow this thread myself and did not see the follow-up questions.

In answer to your question... in the long run, this did NOT work out for me. I found it had two problems...
1. With the stock pump in my Biocube, the UV sterilizer reduced the flow enough that I felt it was actually hurting the filtering abilities.
2. I found that ever couple weeks, one of the make-shift fittings would slip and I'd have a small geyser in the back chamber until I heard the splashing noise.

In short, I have the sterilizer removed and the original stock pump setup is back in place.

10/07/2010, 08:45 AM	#1
DaveWF Moved On Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Lombard, IL Posts: 818	Question about the Oceanic UV sterilizer with a Biocube 29 gallon Hi everyone, I picked up a CHEAP barely used Oceanic UV Sterilizer off of Craigslist, but it is missing the tubing on bottom and right angle piece on top of the unit. I found some directions online and it says I can use some flexible 1/2" tubing for the bottom if it doesn't line up right. Can I use that on top to connect to the outflow into the aquarium in place of the right angle piece that's missing? Thanks! Dave in Lombard

10/07/2010, 09:21 AM	#2
lordofthereef One reef to rule them all Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Leominster, MA Posts: 5,299	Without being familiar with the unit, so long as you are able to make it water tight and flow properly, I don't see a reason to expect it not to work. __________________ "A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than you love yourself" ~ Josh Billings Visit My Home page for current build thread (click my user name and select "Visit LordoftheReef's Homepage" in the drop down menu!

05/26/2011, 12:58 PM	#6
MrTuskfish Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: The Wild Blue Yonder Posts: 8,887	Just a curiosity question to all the posters above; what do you expect the UV to do for your tank? __________________ If God didn't want us to eat animals, he wouldn't have made them out of meat. Steve Current Tank Info: 180, 2-240 FOWLRs, 240 reef

05/28/2011, 08:10 AM	#9
bnumair Dr. Reef at ur service Join Date: May 2009 Location: Tulsa, Ok, USA Posts: 7,751 Blog Entries: 15	to my knowledge and for what i have learned uv filter are good in situations where more than 1 tank is plumbed togather. in a single tank i dont find much use for it. a good tank and a good QT practice along with coral dips would keep most pests out and a regular water change and control feeding with god filter socks and filteration system u can get rid of phos and nitrates. thus resulting in no algae or pests __________________ Water Quality: NO3 0,Phos 0,Cal 440,Alk 7.5,Mag 1300 "Reef Fast, You Crash, Reef Slow, You Pass" Mike's Reef 3:16 Current Tank Info: 350g DT,95g sump, 50g Frag tank, 4800gph return 4x Sea swirls. 6x AI Vega Color. 200# Pukani rock, dual recirculating skimmer, Biopellet, GFO Carbon rx's, Cal rx. Closed loop. 1.5hp chiller, genesis renew. Apex & RKE

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10/07/2010, 10:03 AM	#3
DaveWF Moved On Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Lombard, IL Posts: 818	In answer to my own question (for people that may find this in the future), NO you need more then just 1/2" tubing... you need very short lengths of 1/2" tubing and 3/8" tubing. On the bottom end of the sterilizer you need to put a small piece (like 1/2" long) of the 3/8" tubing to act as a bushing. This should cover, but not extend beyond the black plastic shaft on the sterilizer. Then you use the 1/2" tubing and slide it OVER the 3/8" tubing and then leave about 3/4" to 1" of tubing hanging off the end to slide onto the pump. The tubing should be short enough that the pump touches the sterilizer inside the tubing. On the other end, it's just the opposite. I was able to use the existing 90 degree black plastic piece that connected the old plastic tubing to the outflow nozzle, but had to use the 3/8" tubing "bushing" on the base of that and then the 1/2" tubing goes over that piece and connects to the plastic fitting on top of the sterilizer. Once again, I had to cut it short enough that the two pieces touched eachother inside the tubing. With a little squeezing, I was able to get everything connected properly and am now running the water through the sterilizer. Total cost for replacement parts, about 50 cents and I only used a couple inches of the 6 inches of each tube that I purchased. FWIW, I tried eliminating the stock 90 degree black plastic piece that connects to the outflow nozzle. I was able to replace it with 1/2" tubing, but the sharp turn in the tube almost completely eliminated flow. I picked up the filter on Craigslist for $25 so my total cost was $25.50. He said the bulb had about 3 months use on it so I figure I'm WAY ahead of the game so far. Weeeeee Dave in Lombard

05/26/2011, 10:09 AM	#4
martyharrison Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Monterey, CA Posts: 60	Hey Dave, Just wanted to check in and see if that UV sterilizer is working out for you? Are you still happy with the purchase? Any thoughts for someone considering that purchase??? Thanks! -Marty

05/26/2011, 12:30 PM	#5
pentrix2 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Virginia Posts: 557	tagging along, i would like to know too.

05/27/2011, 11:59 PM	#7
martyharrison Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Monterey, CA Posts: 60	They claim to reduce algae outbreaks and prevent some fish illnesses. Do you contest that claim?

09/13/2011, 07:16 AM	#10
DaveWF Moved On Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Lombard, IL Posts: 818	Wow, I was digging through my history and found this old post - who knew people were following MY thread looking for some advice? Sorry, I didn't follow this thread myself and did not see the follow-up questions. In answer to your question... in the long run, this did NOT work out for me. I found it had two problems... 1. With the stock pump in my Biocube, the UV sterilizer reduced the flow enough that I felt it was actually hurting the filtering abilities. 2. I found that ever couple weeks, one of the make-shift fittings would slip and I'd have a small geyser in the back chamber until I heard the splashing noise. In short, I have the sterilizer removed and the original stock pump setup is back in place.