Plumbing UV Sterilizer

[Khead11]

Hey everyone,

Had a question as I continue shopping for my Opus 440 build. Does anyone have a recommendation on how to plumb this UV sterilizer into my tank setup? Never done this before and understand that it has to be upright. That’s about it. I’ve attached the picture of the sterilizer as well as a photo of my in-cabinet sump layout that comes with the tank. Appreciate the help!

 

[mcarroll]

Have you already got the installation manual?
https://aquaultraviolet.com/pages/faq#manuals

 

[mcarroll]

...also, you need to be specific about what you're targeting with UV.....installation is much more particular for parasites (which are larger and more UV resistant) than for bacteria or algae (which are smaller and more UV susceptible).

 

[Sean Clark]

a dedicated dc pump with variable speed will serve you best. No cutting into the presumably metric sized plumbing. Run it stand alone and save yourself the headache of trying to balance a manifold or only being able to run it at a single speed to make up your return.

 

[vabben]

Have you already purchased this UV? If not and are concerned about plumbing check out the IceCap in sump UV.

If you already have this unit, I would place a DC pump near the drains and plumb the UV outlet near your return pump.

 

[mcarroll]

An AC pump or return hookup (or in-tank setup) can work just as well, what's "best" depends mostly on the OP's tank situation and what purpose he's installing the UV for.

 

[Sean Clark]

An AC pump or return hookup (or in-tank setup) can work just as well, what's "best" depends mostly on the OP's tank situation and what purpose he's installing the UV for.

Lets not trip over a single word like "best". We are all here doing our "best" to provide advice and help one another.

 

[Khead11]

Have you already got the installation manual?
https://aquaultraviolet.com/pages/faq#manuals

Have you already got the installation manual?
https://aquaultraviolet.com/pages/faq#manuals

I haven’t purchased anything yet but want to understand how it would fit from a plumbing perspective assuming I’ve stuffed a protein skimmer and reefmat 500 roller in there as well.

As to the use case for the sterilizer, I’m honestly not sure what to be targeting specifically. I’ve only been recommended a sterilizer as an item to keep my tank cleaner and have better disease fighting attributes than without.

 

[mcarroll]

I haven’t purchased anything yet but want to understand how it would fit from a plumbing perspective assuming I’ve stuffed a protein skimmer and reefmat 500 roller in there as well.

As to the use case for the sterilizer, I’m honestly not sure what to be targeting specifically. I’ve only been recommended a sterilizer as an item to keep my tank cleaner and have better disease fighting attributes than without.

I would do a lot more reading and considering before you buy then. UV and rollers are "extra" and not always needed at the beginning. (UV sometimes, rollers never.) And as mentinoned, installation of the UV is particular to what you're targeting.....you can get a lot our of AquaUV's manual and sizing guides if you haven't looked them over yet. (Horizontal install it a good idea, not mandatory....but see what they say about it.)

 

[vetteguy53081]

I have mine independent of plumbing and have a sicce pump running to UV unit and outlet to chamber with return pump

 

[Amstar]

I have mine running with its on controller pump that have the flow measured via an apex controller so I can tell how much flow (for parasite control/help less flow or water quality - more flow) -- I have the return of the UV to the chamber were my main tank return pump is

but agree with what others have said -- its not a "need" when your tank starts out -- I got one as a piece of mind based on the fish load I have -- and wanting to maintain water quality for my mixed reef -

 

[tripdad]

The most important part is to plumb it with the inlet and outlet facing up. If room does not allow and must be vertical then water in at bottom, out at top, consider a check valve blocking the unit from draining in the event of pump failure.. Make sure unit stays full. Horizontal is nice because during power outage or pump failure the tube stays submerged. You want to insure no air in system so sleeve will not overheat and crack. No air inside of unit is ideal.