Reefmat and UV stabilizer on Aqueon 210

[bubba60tackle]

I have an Aqueon 210 with dual over flows and dual returns. Planning on going away from filter socks to a Reefmat1200 and eventually a UV sterilizer. Looks like I have a few options

For the overflows I think I have two options.

1. Run them both to a wye and then to one side of the reef mat (don’t have room to run it to both sides)

2. Run one return to the reefmat and one to the UV sterilizer.

For the return.

A. 1 return pump to the sterilizer then a wye to both returns.

B. 2 return pumps, one for the uv sterlizer, 1 as the main.


2B is Plan A at this point, wanted to get some thought on this.
My main concern with option B is cutting flow through mechanical filtration down by 50%. However, Currently the drains are loud, I have never been able to solve this, have 1.5” hose for the drains and there is a lot of air in it. So I am also thinking maybe more water with less air through the now 1 line directly to the reefmat will be quieter. I would expect the closed loop UV sterlizer here to be pretty quiet as well.

 

[RockRash]

I would run one overflow to the reef mat at full syphon, it might help to place a gate valve to help with that. The 2nd overflow is left for emergency and plumbed above the water line in the sump. That way you will hear it if there's a problem.

Now for the return, its going to depend on why you are running a uv. In my opinion ( how I plumbed my tank) 100% of the water back to the tank should go through the UV. I would purchase a UV sized to the flow you intended to run. Example if you are treating algae and you wanted to run 800gph through your return. I'd purchase the UV that matches what you want.

 

[jkrohn]

I would run one overflow to the reef mat at full syphon, it might help to place a gate valve to help with that. The 2nd overflow is left for emergency and plumbed above the water line in the sump. That way you will hear it if there's a problem.

Now for the return, its going to depend on why you are running a uv. In my opinion ( how I plumbed my tank) 100% of the water back to the tank should go through the UV. I would purchase a UV sized to the flow you intended to run. Example if you are treating algae and you wanted to run 800gph through your return. I'd purchase the UV that matches what you want.

This is the key for UV. Depending on what you want to use it for Algae & Bacteria vs Protozoa, the flow rates will be drastically different. You can either buy a UV sized to use the flow rate range on your return, or plumb it separately with a feed pump you can control.