Plumbing a whole-home UV sterilizer into reef tank

[Richard ML]

Hello,

I have gotten my hands on a 480GPH whole-home UV sterilizer that I'd like to use on my upcoming reef tank build. I got it for free, otherwise I wouldn't bother with one. My only concern is that the body of the unit is made of 304 stainless and it'll be exposed to saltwater 24/7. I'd like to run it directly on my return pump outlet, and it'd be near its 480GPH max flow rating. How likely is it that 304 stainless would degrade over time or cause harm to my livestock?


Thanks!

 

[Flippers4pups]

Sorry, no go. It's okay around saltwater environments, but not good submersed in it.

 

[reefwiser]

Will not work. The steel will rust. Just because it’s SS doesn’t mean it will not rust. Worked as a maintenance man in a food plant with nothing but SS everything. We still had to replace pumps and lines that pumped caustic fluids.

 

[Richard ML]

Sorry, no go.

Thanks. Yeah, I'd googled it, and I'd read conflicting info that stated in high-flow environments with no direct exposure to air it might be OK. Just thought I'd see if anybody else had experience with something similar here.

 

[Richard ML]

Will not work. The steel will rust. Just because it’s SS doesn’t mean it will not rust. Worked as a maintenance man in a food plant with nothing but SS everything. We still had to replace pumps and lines that pumped caustic fluids.

Good to know. Might look into making a new housing out of PVC then. Thanks!

 

[Flippers4pups]

Thanks. Yeah, I'd googled it, and I'd read conflicting info that stated in high-flow environments with no direct exposure to air it might be OK. Just thought I'd see if anybody else had experience with something similar here.

316 would fair better, but it's made of 304. Ive worked in the surgical instrument field now for over thirty years.

 

[Flippers4pups]

Good to know. Might look into making a new housing out of PVC then. Thanks!

Furniture grade maybe:

Is CPVC & PVC Pipe UV Resistant?

CPVC and PVC pipes are made out of very strong and versatile materials. It is hard to believe that they are not completely resistant to UV rays. Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride (CPVC) is made when Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) is treated with chlorinated water. They are available for engineering and...

www.pvcfittingsonline.com

 

[Richard ML]

Furniture grade maybe:

Is CPVC & PVC Pipe UV Resistant?

CPVC and PVC pipes are made out of very strong and versatile materials. It is hard to believe that they are not completely resistant to UV rays. Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride (CPVC) is made when Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) is treated with chlorinated water. They are available for engineering and...

www.pvcfittingsonline.com

Yep yep saw that! Looks like most UV sterilizers for aquariums are made out of PVC so I'll have to hunt around to find the appropriate material.

 

[reefwiser]

Would be cheaper to just buy one that try to make a new housing. A UV unit is only needed in fish holding systems all the time.

 

[Richard ML]

Would be cheaper to just buy one that try to make a new housing. A UV unit is only needed in fish holding systems all the time.

Yeah thanks! I might just keep this thing as a short-term QT tank treatment option. Not sure yet but I appreciate all the answers, everyone!