- Joined
- Dec 31, 2019
- Messages
- 244
- Reaction score
- 210
I recently bought a Pentair Smart UV 40 watt sterilizer for my 180g tank. I recognize this is a bit overkill, but the Smart UV 25 watt says it is only rated up to 130g. So my 180g is in between. I bought the UV Sterilizer as a preventive against algae and bacteria (fish are being purchase quarantined so not as much of a need to combat protozoans etc.). Initially I plumbed attached to the roof of the inside of the stand, running off my Neptune COR-20 return pump (I've got two dual return pumps -- COR-20 and COR-15 using 3/4" tubing). The flow sensor showed there was only about 520 gph flowing off of the COR-20, which is not even close to the 943-1575 gph recommended by the manufacturer to combat algae and bacteria. So I took it down and off the return pump, and bought a separate pump solely to run the UV (Sicce Syncra Silent 5 -- 1321gph). Once hooked up to the UV and with little head pressure (just over the side of the sump), I am still only getting 550-600 gph (confirmed with Neptune Flow Sensor and bucket test). When I just test the flow rate of the pump, its 1200-1250 gph. So the Pentair is really slowing it down. I recognize that the sterilizer is 4 feet long, but I've got it running horizontally.
Anyone else have these same problems of the Pentair UV slowing the flow down THAT much? 800 gph? Really?
I am wondering whether the issue is that I am using 3/4" tubing. The UV comes with 1 1/4" unions. So maybe find a pump with a 1"outlet and use 1" tubing?
Any assistance would be greatly greatly appreciated. Alternatively, if anyone thinks the Pentair Smart UV 25 Watt would be fine, that model only requires 472-722 gph, which I could do with the Sicce.
Thanks in advance.
Anyone else have these same problems of the Pentair UV slowing the flow down THAT much? 800 gph? Really?
I am wondering whether the issue is that I am using 3/4" tubing. The UV comes with 1 1/4" unions. So maybe find a pump with a 1"outlet and use 1" tubing?
Any assistance would be greatly greatly appreciated. Alternatively, if anyone thinks the Pentair Smart UV 25 Watt would be fine, that model only requires 472-722 gph, which I could do with the Sicce.
Thanks in advance.