Return pump plumbing

MarineREEFpassion

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Ok all I need some ideas to re plumb my UV sterilizer pump. So I did an online configuration so I could set it up for a loop connection. I have the current eFlux 3170 GPH pump set up to feed the UV sterilizer. So my issue with my current configuration, that’s a week old lol, I had to put 9 elbows from the line from the DT to the return Back to the DT. With the elbows and the length of pipe I have about 18.5’ HP so sad to say my flow meter is only showing 647 GPH and I need around 1800 for bacterial/algae prevention.
anyone done a close loop set up like this for a UV or would you guys, and gals just do it from the sump back to the DT?
what are your system setups like, GPH, pumps using pipe set up, etc. Any help or opinions/advise would be great. Thanks all!
 

fishguy242

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hi ,honestly i have always just ran from sump to uv back to sump,with recommended flow through uv,plenty of sump to dt turnover ,never a prob,jmo,happy reefing
 

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What is the size of your tank that you need 1,800 gph?
 
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MarineREEFpassion

MarineREEFpassion

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hi ,honestly i have always just ran from sump to uv back to sump,with recommended flow through uv,plenty of sump to dt turnover ,never a prob,jmo,happy reefing
Awesome thanks for replying and thanks for the idea! Honestly that’s probably what I’ll do. This close loop is a pain in the ars lol and not the prettiest by any means lol.

8370A68B-79D7-4E64-AFAD-66B95EC85D6D.jpeg 063B9DF1-5780-42CD-B9BF-078CEC4E35F4.jpeg
 

SPR1968

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That’s an awful lot of flow and unless you have some sort of nuclear powered UV, I think it will be ineffective with that much flow through it, because it won’t have enough contact time

I run an 80w UVC from my return pump (via a manifold) and back into the sump and the flow rate is around 700 lph (about 153gph) and that’s got a lot of killing power which is what you want
 
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MarineREEFpassion

MarineREEFpassion

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That’s an awful lot of flow and unless you have some sort of nuclear powered UV, I think it will be ineffective with that much flow through it, because it won’t have enough contact time

I run an 80w UVC from my return pump (via a manifold) and back into the sump and the flow rate is around 700 lph (about 153gph) and that’s got a lot of killing power which is what you want
My UV for bacterial/algae says max flow 2100 so I figured 1700. I had the pentair 80w and it was rated even higher for the same prevention. Aqua UV has theirs rated around the same. So unless I’m reading it wrong isn’t that the flow rate, max flow rate?
I’m not going for the parasitic rate which is way less, around 450/700.

D38BC5F9-D693-4EA6-BAB1-3983DA2EAC02.png
 

SPR1968

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My UV for bacterial/algae says max flow 2100 so I figured 1700. I had the pentair 80w and it was rated even higher for the same prevention. Aqua UV has theirs rated around the same. So unless I’m reading it wrong isn’t that the flow rate, max flow rate?
I’m not going for the parasitic rate which is way less, around 450/700.

D38BC5F9-D693-4EA6-BAB1-3983DA2EAC02.png
Yes it appears to be what it says, it just seems very high to be effective but if they say that works then fine, they should know their product
 

Aardvark1134

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Usually you want 2-3x tank turnover through your uv to be effective.
You also want to make sure it can reach the killing power needed at that much flow.
For example if you want 90000 killing power instead of 30000 you need to divide that listed flow by 3. If you want 180K divide the flow by 6. As long as you have 2-3x turnover you have enough flow to do the job, the rest is up to the killing power that you get from the flow you picked.
 
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MarineREEFpassion

MarineREEFpassion

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Yes it appears to be what it says, it just seems very high to be effective but if they say that works then fine, they should know their product
I thought the same as you. When I first saw that I was like, holy crap that’s a lot of flow lol. I reached out to the guys at BRS since they’ve done a lot on UV’s and they said the same thing. That is the flow they recommend to use it as a guide that it doesn’t need to be as high, but as long as it’s close to their numbers.
So I’m going to change my set up a bit and put my pump inside my sump then directly to the DT to cut out the other BS that robs my flow. Thanks for your replies it helps getting as many opinions as possible!
 
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MarineREEFpassion

MarineREEFpassion

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Usually you want 2-3x tank turnover through your uv to be effective.
You also want to make sure it can reach the killing power needed at that much flow.
For example if you want 90000 killing power instead of 30000 you need to divide that listed flow by 3. If you want 180K divide the flow by 6. As long as you have 2-3x turnover you have enough flow to do the job, the rest is up to the killing power that you get from the flow you picked.
So your saying divide the 90000 or 30000 in half or the flow rate in half to reach those numbers? Sorry just making sure I understand what you were saying.
like if mine says to reach the intended 30,000 for bacterial/algae you say cut the flow or the w/cm2 rating in half that it calls for? Or I guess it would potentially mean both cut in half right?
 

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I will give you a sample chart for the 120W lifeguard (the one I have) hope this makes it clearer.
120W 3 inch
4,000 gph=30,000 uw/s/cm2
2,000 gph=60,000 uw/s/cm2
1,333 ghp=90,000 uw/s/cm2
1,000 gph=120,000 uw/s/cm2
667 gph=180,000 uw/s/cm2
500 gph=240,000 uw/s/cm2
 
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MarineREEFpassion

MarineREEFpassion

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I will give you a sample chart for the 120W lifeguard (the one I have) hope this makes it clearer.
120W 3 inch
4,000 gph=30,000 uw/s/cm2
2,000 gph=60,000 uw/s/cm2
1,333 ghp=90,000 uw/s/cm2
1,000 gph=120,000 uw/s/cm2
667 gph=180,000 uw/s/cm2
500 gph=240,000 uw/s/cm2


Wow that’s a great breakdown thank you for that!
 
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MarineREEFpassion

MarineREEFpassion

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I will give you a sample chart for the 120W lifeguard (the one I have) hope this makes it clearer.
120W 3 inch
4,000 gph=30,000 uw/s/cm2
2,000 gph=60,000 uw/s/cm2
1,333 ghp=90,000 uw/s/cm2
1,000 gph=120,000 uw/s/cm2
667 gph=180,000 uw/s/cm2
500 gph=240,000 uw/s/cm2



How do you like your Lifegard aquatics UV light? Do you have the amalgam high out out? How long have you had it?
I’ve got the 55w amalgam light and so far I like it. I’ve normally had Pentair but I sold the 80w I had it was way too big for my 150. No one had the ones I wanted so I saw this one it had a few reviews that were all great. I like the design and the bulbs and the power cord count down so I figured I’ll give it a shot. Plus it was half the price of the Pentair or Aqua UV which was nice.
 
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MarineREEFpassion

MarineREEFpassion

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I do the yearly maint yearly lol
When you replace the bulb you change the white sleeves, and check the rings. Greese or replace rings as needed. Check the bulb case and maybe clean the bulb case with vinagear if needed.
Ok yeah that’s what I figured. Thank you!
 

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