UV sterilizer and Algae Turf Scrubber

[PPBlimpy]

Can I plumb these in Series?

Pump -> 57W UV -> Turf scrubber

I do not see an issue as they target different things. Uv targeting free floating algae/bacteria where the Turf scrubber is growing algae is removing nitrates/ phosphate from the water column.

Would help clean up the plumbing in my sump.

 

[Miami Reef]

They are unrelated and won’t have an effect on each other.

 

[PPBlimpy]

That is what I was thinking. Thank you for the response!

 

[Miami Reef]

Of course. How is your algae scrubber production?

 

[PPBlimpy]

I haven’t got it running on my new system yet. My old system was a very quick makeshift diy unit I threw together with a plastic container, pvc pipe with a couple holes drilled, fiberglass screen material from our windows in the house and the light from my 13.5g Evo. Produced pretty good for all of $10 and 30min.

Did it as a test. New unit will be larger with an appropriate light media sheet is 8.5x11. Have acrylic to make the body with.

Need to get on it. Tested my tank for the first time in 2 months and phosphates were at 1.06!!! Nitrates at 66.

Really need to do a water change also.

Added phosban and 2 small pieces of phosphate /nitrate sponge. Things are looking happier.

 

[KrisReef]

The most important consideration for the UV is to have the proper flow rate of water past the the light chamber. If that flow rate is correct for the turf scrubber then having them in line could be great. I would guess that a turf scrubber might want water to flow a little slower then the UV light can handle, but I don't know what size UV or Turf Scrubber you are using, so I'm just guessing.

But, if the ATS needs less flow overall, then running the proper flow through the UV and then splitting the flow with some going to the ATS and any excess diverted back to the sump or to the DT could also work.

Hope that made sense! I had too much medication this morning, maybe?

 

[Quietman]

Agree that UV in line with ATS doesn't reduce effectiveness of either.

UV filters will work best if on their own loop or in the return line. The reason is that way you can get the exposure rates needed for the UV to be the most effective. I'm assuming here the ATS is in a loop (portion of return flow or pump from the sump).

A portion of flow might be fine for normal running depending on reasons for using UV but if you have outbreak of something may want to consider re-plumbing or being able to temporarily run the UV on it's own to/from loop with the main tank.

 

[PPBlimpy]

yes it makes sense. UV is a 57W running on a 260G system. Turf scrubber is a DIY unit that will be running a 8.5x11 media bed. Building the turf scrubber large so it can handle a higher flow and I can regulate with light cycle once up and running.

after looking up flow for the UV again I may not be able to directly put them in series. i may have to split after the UV. Not sure I want to put 1000 gph thru a algae scrubber.

If that is the case I may as well just put it on the return line and plumb in the ATS with a different pump or off the return pump manifold

 

[BryanM]

Ideally UV would be separate so you can control the flow through it... Though I have a 40w UV, mine runs much lower flow than textbook says it should.