UV pluming guru needed

FishTacos2

New Member
View Badges
Joined
Nov 5, 2021
Messages
18
Reaction score
3
Location
Cali
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I have watched as many videos as possible and all the BRS videos. Nobody is specific enough in how to plumb a UV steralizer.
I could not find detailed enough info anywhere


I am using this in a Waterbox aquarium with a sump so the starting point is DC pump going into a single return line

Option 1) Plumb the UV in line with the return pump. Water flows from return pump, through UV, to tank. This is not good because the flow rate of the UV cannot be independently adjusted seperate from the return pump flow rate. So basically this option is out

Option 2. Use a seperate return pump for the UV. In this case how does the water get back to the tank? Do you put a T joint on your return line with the water from the UV going into one side and the usual return pump going in the other side?

Option 3. See diagram provided by the manufacturer. In this case the return pump would split into 2 parts some flow to the UV and some flow bypassing the UV. The ratio of flow to the UV is controlled by gate valves. Ultimately all the water would reunite before going back to the tank.

IMG_9102.jpeg
 

RockRash

Well-Known Member
View Badges
Joined
Feb 20, 2024
Messages
757
Reaction score
3,243
Location
Norco CA
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I would recommend option one and size the UV to flow you want to run. That's what I did, I think it works best if all the water runs through it.
 

Buckeye Hydro

Valuable Member
View Badges
Joined
Dec 17, 2013
Messages
1,590
Reaction score
1,100
Location
Ohio
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
In your Option 3, how would you know the precise gpm flow going through the UV? Could be too high and not get treated properly, or could be too low and not taking full advantage of your UV.

Typically you would buy a UV that can treat the flow put out by a pump and go with Option 1 (treat all water pumped by your return pump) or Option 2 (treat all water pumped by a different pump).
 
OP
OP
F

FishTacos2

New Member
View Badges
Joined
Nov 5, 2021
Messages
18
Reaction score
3
Location
Cali
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
In option 3 you would need a flow sensor next to the UV to dial in the flow
 

BeanAnimal

5000 Club Member
View Badges
Joined
Jul 16, 2009
Messages
6,078
Reaction score
10,459
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I prefer to run them on a separate pump. It tends to make maintenance and dialing in flow a lot easier. That said, any of your options will work.
 

REEFRIED!

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Nov 30, 2022
Messages
409
Reaction score
304
Location
Boston
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I don’t like any of those options. In a tank with only one stock return outlet I would simply use another (second) pump to supply the UV and then I would buy a u shaped return that would hang on tank.
 

TOP 10 Trending Threads

ON A SCALE FROM 1-10, HOW MUCH DO YOU LOVE REEFING?

  • 10 - It's one of the things I love most in life!

    Votes: 93 32.6%
  • 9

    Votes: 37 13.0%
  • 8

    Votes: 54 18.9%
  • 7

    Votes: 48 16.8%
  • 6

    Votes: 11 3.9%
  • 5 - I enjoy it, but I could live without it if I had to.

    Votes: 33 11.6%
  • 4

    Votes: 1 0.4%
  • 3

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • 2

    Votes: 2 0.7%
  • 1 - I'm not sure why I am still in this hobby...

    Votes: 6 2.1%
Back
Top