Another UV flow rate discussion

[mmorrison55]

Will preface this thread with the admission that all of this is way over my head and totally confusing, but I’m trying to determine if my Uv sterilizer is useless to me in its current configuration.

I have an apex 1” flow sensor set at the output of the Uv sterilizer, and it’s reporting an avg flow rate of 393 gph @ 60% power on my ecotech M2. Since it’s directly after the UV and has a 90 bend just before it hits the flow sensor, I think it’s safe to bet, the actual flow rate is probably somewhat higher than 393 through the actual UV.

So a few questions…

1. Is there a way to calculate just how much that 90 bend is impacting the reading? I should have added, the sterilizer is mounted horizontally and has about a 10” rise out of the Uv before the 90 bend into the sensor.

2. Based on the reported calculations from the vendors website, in the attached photo below, My model is the 57 watt classic, and the reported specs are based on a 355 gallon tank. Since my tank/sump total volume is around 185 gallons. For the sake of ease, let’s say it’s 1/2 the tank volume of the vendor calculations. Would that then mean I should 1/2 the gph in the chart?

3. If a higher gph flow rate is recommended than the flow rate I’m getting, meaning the Uv light is being exposed to the water too long, could I then accomplish the exposure time, by reducing the length the Uv sterilizer is on during that hour? In essence use my apex to control the power to the UV to only be on 15 minutes every hour instead of being on full time to reduce the exposure by a factor of 4? Would this then mean that the columns in the chart would go up x4?


Like I said, this is all very confusing.

 

[*GAREEF*]

What wattage is your uv?

 

[mmorrison55]

I have the 57

 

[*GAREEF*]

I have the 57

57 watts?
Edit never mind I see it.

 

[*GAREEF*]

I like a slow flow when I run a uv but I don’t always run a uv only for certain events.

 

[mmorrison55]

57 watts?
Edit never mind I see it.

 

[mmorrison55]

According to AQUA UV’s websites FAQ…

What should my flow rate be on my salt water aquarium?
Your flow rate should be 3 to 5 times the volume of water per hour.


If we can use that as the true recommendation, then I should be in the 540-900 range of flow. I think I could accomplish that if I cranked my pump speed up or buy an L2 and swap out the M2. But again, does that change based on the model/wattage unit I’m using? I guess an email to their support would be a good start.

I was mainly looking to try and get a better understanding of the ratings, wattage, recommended flow, etc. seems there should be an easier way to calculate this if we know our tank volume, the ratings of a specific UV sterilizer, and the flow rate/gph through the sterilizer.

 

[nirshalom]

I'm not very experiencedת
but according to my logic, it is not correct to determine the speed of the UV pump according to the volume of the tank.
First, the UV power will be determined according to the volume of the tank.
Some say: 1 watt per 10 liters, I use a 57 watt UV for 320 gallons (1200 Liter), which is half of that, and in my opinion it is perfectly fine.

Second: the Flow should be the most efficient, depending on the power of the UV.
If the current is too high, the UV will not be able to do its job, if it is too low, the UV will do its job, but not in the most efficient way.
You should always follow the manufacturer's instructions, but in general I think that
flow rate of 10-15 gallons per hour (GPH) for every watt of UV light should be fine

540-900 range Sound good

your M2 can make the Job Done, I am not so Sure the Mejurments of your flow are complitly acurate.

 

[ROToole]

I have the Coral Life 18 w UV AND a 36 water on my 150 tank, both mounted at my sump. I know it's overkill, but after a disaster of an ich outbreak when I was out of town I went into overkill after losing everthing in my tank. My 36 watt is on slow flow for the water to spend as much time as possible in the UV chamber for parasite protection. The 18 watt is on a higher flow for water clarity. My 18 watt has a micro Hydor 300 gallon per hour pump. My 36 watt has a small, flow adjustable, DC pump. Have not had an ich problem since and my water is probably the cleanest I have ever seen in a tank anywhere.

 

[mmorrison55]

That’s what I would think, the slower gph through the Uv, the better, but I guess that is not necessarily optimal o