I have a 180 gallon reef tank and I want to get a uv sterilizer but I don’t k ow how to figure out the flow rate. I have been looking at the Icecap 90 watt uv. What flow rate would I need for Ich control?
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I know bigger tanks need bigger uv’s but I guess what I’m asking is can your uv be too big for your tank and if you have a bigger uv does that change what the flow rate should be?The UV should be matched to the tank size, the speed of the water is for its effectiveness.
The simple answer is it depends what you're trying to achieve.I have a 180 gallon reef tank and I want to get a uv sterilizer but I don’t k ow how to figure out the flow rate. I have been looking at the Icecap 90 watt uv. What flow rate would I need for Ich control?
The icecap 90 watt uv is only 270 MJ/cm2. Does that mean it will not work for Ich management?The simple answer is it depends what you're trying to achieve.
If you wish to manage Ich, you need an exposure of 280MJ/cm2. Ask the manufacturer what flow rate will meet that exposure and then consider that for maximum effectiveness you need to turn over the tank volume 2x per hour.
So for a pentair it is a 40W at 120gph flow.
You need to check the doco for other manufacturers
It'll be fine. That's not much different.The icecap 90 watt uv is only 270 MJ/cm2. Does that mean it will not work for Ich management?
All it says for flow rate is max flow rate 3000 gph. I would be putting it on a 180 gallon tankIt'll be fine. That's not much different.
Just make sure what the flow rate needs to be and if it can turn over the tank 2x per hour
Some brands out there only manage <90 MJ which is fine for Algae and crystal clear water but not so good for Ich management.