18w or 36w Turbo Twist UV for 150g Tank?

[rainmkr07]

One of our RC sponsors (Drs Foster & Smith) has turbo twist uv sterilizers for sale on their website here.

The site says the 18w is for tanks up to 250g. The 36w is for tanks up to 500g. I have a new 150g tank. I want to use it to kill nuisance algae and parasites as well. Should I go with the 18w, or should I go with the extra over-rated 36w?

[jucario]

I had a 36w UV in a 130g and when I made my research it was the minimun size I could go if the purpose was killing parasites, for algae I think the 18w would be more than ok.

[Mark Bianco]

The 18 will be plently. Here is one thing to remember about UV's The slower you move the water across the light the more effective it is. Many people just plumb it into their return and most move the water way too fast. I use a very small pump on mine and move the water slowly to get the full effect..

[rainmkr07]

Originally Posted by Mark Bianco

The 18 will be plently. Here is one thing to remember about UV's The slower you move the water across the light the more effective it is. Many people just plumb it into their return and most move the water way too fast. I use a very small pump on mine and move the water slowly to get the full effect..

Their website recommends 240gph for the 18w to kill algae and 110gph to kill parasites. So I was thinking of getting a maxi jet 900 (230gph) and using that to supply the UV. And with a ball valve, I could slow it down if I needed to attack parasites? Would that work?

[Mark Bianco]

Perfect! You have got it going on my friend.