Lifeguard 25W UV flow

[Gobi-Wan]

Hello all. My cheap Jebao uv sterilizer sprung a leak and I decided it's time to go with a real one. At least a cheap real one. I got the Lifeguard ProMax 25w sterilizer for my 125 reef with 40 sump. By my calculations there's about 130 gallons of actual water in the system. I was planning to use the "550gph" pump that i was using with the old sterilizer so I took it apart, cleaned it up and tested the flow and it produced... 300gph. I know this is on the low side for that sterilizer as I think 400 has been recommended. Is it safe to run the UV at 300gph and will it be effective at that flow rate? Is it safe to run it like that for a while until I can afford another purchase? I have kind of used up my reef budget for the moment.

 

[blaxsun]

Yes, yes and yes. Longer dwell time (slower flow) will simply result in a higher UV exposure. I run mine at probably 65-75% of the rated flow for parasites.

 

[Gatorpa]

Slower flow through the UV is actually better man. more contact time with the UV

 

[Gobi-Wan]

Awesome thank you guys. I know more exposure time is better for larger organisms like parasites but I didn’t know if it would have a high enough turnover rate to keep up with reproduction rates of algae and bacteria