Aqua UV 25w - pump & flow meter question

CanhMan · 07/01/2011, 02:19 PM

I've been reading up on UV and decided to purchase the Aqua UV Classic 25w for my 125g FOWLR.
My question is what flow meter do you use along with it? The only one I can find is the Tom Aquatics which is up to 500gph. Is that necessary or can I just hook up a 300gph pump (I have a Powerhead 402 lying around), after my skimmer, and let the UV do its thing? My primary purpose is sterilizing.

Thanks in advance!

DFWBill · 07/01/2011, 02:34 PM

Mis read.. you need something greater than 300gph

CanhMan · 07/01/2011, 11:43 PM

From everything I've read about UV, the flow is very important to control.
So what kind of flow meter do folks use, especially if the desired flow is above 500 gph?

Thanks!

Plato · 07/02/2011, 03:26 PM

@ 400 gph youll get 90,000 μw/cm² on the 25 watt. Amyloodinium Ocellateum (marine velvet) requires 105,000 and Cryptocaryon Irritans (marine white spot) is at a whopping 280,000. You want to have a minamal tank turn over of 2 x and hour, 4 is max. So on a 125 to get the target kill rate for ick @ 400 gph you will need the Classic 114 Watt. I have a SL 200 Watt on a 525 gallon fish only tank. It has 425 gallons of water in the system with a 1500 gph flow rate.

CanhMan · 07/03/2011, 08:36 AM

Thanks for your response Plato.

So I guess you and others don't use a flow meter on your UV setup.
There's no need for one then? Just size the feed pump for 400gph? Or maybe I've misunderstood your post.
As for the size of the UV, does it really matter if flow thru the unit is the key? If it's slightly undersized, that just means the it'll just take longer to process the water in the tank right?
Sorry for the follow up questions, I'm still not clear (no pun intended) on UVs.

Thanks!

Plato · 07/03/2011, 12:03 PM

Yes, flow is the key to achieving a target kill rate. You need sufficient flow rate at the proper exposer to effectively control parasites. On your 25 watt unit the flow needs to be reduced to 125 gph to get 280,000 μw/cm². That only gives you a one time per hour turn over. Thats why you need the 114 watt unit @ 400 gph to treat you tank. The 25 watt unit will not be sufficient.

snorvich · 07/03/2011, 12:07 PM

Of course, the real problem is getting the parasite through the UV. I don't feel that for a single tank, UV adds value in parasite control. For multiple tanks sharing water, I think it is invaluable. As a clarifier, I think UV rocks.

07/01/2011, 02:19 PM	#1
CanhMan Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 76	Aqua UV 25w - pump & flow meter question I've been reading up on UV and decided to purchase the Aqua UV Classic 25w for my 125g FOWLR. My question is what flow meter do you use along with it? The only one I can find is the Tom Aquatics which is up to 500gph. Is that necessary or can I just hook up a 300gph pump (I have a Powerhead 402 lying around), after my skimmer, and let the UV do its thing? My primary purpose is sterilizing. Thanks in advance!

07/01/2011, 02:34 PM	#2
DFWBill Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Dallas TX Posts: 60	Mis read.. you need something greater than 300gph __________________ Green Chromies, Cardinals, Grammy, Yellow Tang, a pair of Harliquins, Peppermint Shrimp, softies & SPS and the coolest Fighting Conch who's about 3" now. Current Tank Info: 70T RR, Apex will all the bells and whistles, Tunze 6055, 12 gal Fuge, Octo 160, Ehiem 1265 Return, BRS GFO/Carbon, Coralife UV, 2 Drew's Dosers (Ca/Kh), DIY ATO, RapidLED DIY LEDs

07/02/2011, 03:26 PM	#4
Plato Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: NC Posts: 638	@ 400 gph youll get 90,000 μw/cm² on the 25 watt. Amyloodinium Ocellateum (marine velvet) requires 105,000 and Cryptocaryon Irritans (marine white spot) is at a whopping 280,000. You want to have a minamal tank turn over of 2 x and hour, 4 is max. So on a 125 to get the target kill rate for ick @ 400 gph you will need the Classic 114 Watt. I have a SL 200 Watt on a 525 gallon fish only tank. It has 425 gallons of water in the system with a 1500 gph flow rate. __________________ Genesis 2:28 God blessed them and said to them,"Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground." Current Tank Info: 275 starphire, 3 x 400 watt MH + 4 x 80 watt T5's, 2 x MP 60 + 2 x MP 40, Orca 250 skimmer, CADS filter head (SeaVisions), ProCal Ca reactor, GHL controlled.

07/03/2011, 12:03 PM	#6
Plato Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: NC Posts: 638	Yes, flow is the key to achieving a target kill rate. You need sufficient flow rate at the proper exposer to effectively control parasites. On your 25 watt unit the flow needs to be reduced to 125 gph to get 280,000 μw/cm². That only gives you a one time per hour turn over. Thats why you need the 114 watt unit @ 400 gph to treat you tank. The 25 watt unit will not be sufficient. __________________ Genesis 2:28 God blessed them and said to them,"Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground." Current Tank Info: 275 starphire, 3 x 400 watt MH + 4 x 80 watt T5's, 2 x MP 60 + 2 x MP 40, Orca 250 skimmer, CADS filter head (SeaVisions), ProCal Ca reactor, GHL controlled.

07/03/2011, 12:07 PM	#7
snorvich Team RC member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Outlander Posts: 40,953 Blog Entries: 46	Of course, the real problem is getting the parasite through the UV. I don't feel that for a single tank, UV adds value in parasite control. For multiple tanks sharing water, I think it is invaluable. As a clarifier, I think UV rocks. __________________ Warmest regards, ~Steve~

07/01/2011, 11:43 PM	#3
CanhMan Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 76	From everything I've read about UV, the flow is very important to control. So what kind of flow meter do folks use, especially if the desired flow is above 500 gph? Thanks!

07/03/2011, 08:36 AM	#5
CanhMan Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 76	Thanks for your response Plato. So I guess you and others don't use a flow meter on your UV setup. There's no need for one then? Just size the feed pump for 400gph? Or maybe I've misunderstood your post. As for the size of the UV, does it really matter if flow thru the unit is the key? If it's slightly undersized, that just means the it'll just take longer to process the water in the tank right? Sorry for the follow up questions, I'm still not clear (no pun intended) on UVs. Thanks!