Super low UV flow rates

[Reefer911]

Just got my UV plumbed, running off a manifold off the return. I did a flow check with the return pump running at 100% and the manifold valve open all the way, and I didn’t even get the 400gph required for 90k μw/cm^2. I think I’m just under 300gph

Who knows where I’m at…it’s a guess at this point.

I really wanted this to work without having to plumb another pump, which I have.

I’m assuming I’m killing my phyto population. But would frequent dosing cancel the kill rate out?

 

[blaxsun]

It just means you're running a higher sterilization level. You can always upgrade your return pump? Btw, you'll want to replace those steel clamps with plastic ones (zip ties, etc.) as they'll soon rust.

 

[Reefer911]

No, I have them elsewhere and no rust as of yet.

I had taken that subject up with CADE when I first got the tank and they said they had been running stainless steel clamps and never saw any rust. However, I keep an eye on them (I have others) and can quickly change if needed

Regarding the larger pump, yes of course I could do that but I’m limited by my return pump chamber size. I have a Royal Exclusiv Red Dragon, the 60w and it just about fills the space. I had to return the larger Red Dragon because it was too big

I have a smaller 25w Red Dragon that I could place just under the UV in the sump to draw from. That may be what I do