UV Sterilizer flow rate

[reeferlife1]

hi Fellow Reefer
i have 90 gallon with 25W Aqua Ultraviolet Classic Series
what is the best flow rate can control algae and parasite but still safe for Pods

 

[MarineandReef Jaron]

I have posted from the AquaUV manual which will give you flow rates for different amounts of UV exposure.

Aqua UV Recommends 800-1200 GPH for reef tanks to avoid killing plankton but at this flow rate, you will not be able to kill ich or larger parasites. The sad truth is there is no way to kill large parasites and not kill plankton. UV is indiscriminate and it will kill whatever passes through the unit.

I personally run a faster flow rate through my UV because I am mostly trying to avoid bacterial infections and Dino blooms. If you want to kill Ich you can slow down the flow but you will kill a lot of pods and other microplankton in the process.

 

[The_Paradox]

If you’re going to run it 24/7 flow rate does not matter.

 

[reeferlife1]

I have posted from the AquaUV manual which will give you flow rates for different amounts of UV exposure.

Aqua UV Recommends 800-1200 GPH for reef tanks to avoid killing plankton but at this flow rate, you will not be able to kill ich or larger parasites. The sad truth is there is no way to kill large parasites and not kill plankton. UV is indiscriminate and it will kill whatever passes through the unit.

I personally run a faster flow rate through my UV because I am mostly trying to avoid bacterial infections and Dino blooms. If you want to kill Ich you can slow down the flow but you will kill a lot of pods and other microplankton in the process.

thanks for help

 

[Gribbles]

If you’re going to run it 24/7 flow rate does not matter.

Oh, really? I did not know this

 

[The_Paradox]

Oh, really? I did not know this

If it’s running 24/7 the total dose will be UV output limited. Flow rate really only comes into play when you’re trying to optimize by running just a few hours.

 

[reeferlife1]

If it’s running 24/7 the total dose will be UV output limited. Flow rate really only comes into play when you’re trying to optimize by running just a few hours.

how may hours in general?

 

[The_Paradox]

how may hours in general?

If I had a suspected infection or bacteria bloom I would go with 24/7. Rest of the time I have it run 8 hours at night.

 

[reeferlife1]

If I had a suspected infection or bacteria bloom I would go with 24/7. Rest of the time I have it run 8 hours at night.

90 gallon tank 340gph with 25W uv , how many hours you think if this is your tank

 

[The_Paradox]

90 gallon tank 340gph with 25W uv , how many hours you think if this is your tank

That’s pretty low wattage so personally I would run that 24/7 unless heat became an issue.

 

[reeferlife1]

That’s pretty low wattage so personally I would run that 24/7 unless heat became an issue.

24/7 you think with that flow rate can kill parasite also pods?

 

[The_Paradox]

24/7 you think with that flow rate can kill parasite also pods?

Pods generally do not just hang out in water so you should be fine. The bigger risk killing off anything in the water they feed off of if you do not supplement or have an established enough system. As for parasites it depends if they are in the water column.

 

[GARRIGA]

I have posted from the AquaUV manual which will give you flow rates for different amounts of UV exposure.

Aqua UV Recommends 800-1200 GPH for reef tanks to avoid killing plankton but at this flow rate, you will not be able to kill ich or larger parasites. The sad truth is there is no way to kill large parasites and not kill plankton. UV is indiscriminate and it will kill whatever passes through the unit.

I personally run a faster flow rate through my UV because I am mostly trying to avoid bacterial infections and Dino blooms. If you want to kill Ich you can slow down the flow but you will kill a lot of pods and other microplankton in the process.

This is key in selecting the correct UV and not about getting the biggest but best fit. As for plankton, UV doesn't need to run 24/7 and a compromise can be set to meet various needs. How effective that is I'm not sure.

 

[reeferlife1]

Pods generally do not just hang out in water so you should be fine. The bigger risk killing off anything in the water they feed off of if you do not supplement or have an established enough system. As for parasites it depends if they are in the water column.

got it, thanks

 

[reeferlife1]

other question
my is 25W Aqua Ultraviolet. Classic Series, what if i change to 8W bulb?

 

[Nathan Aubin]

My DT is a 225 custom euro braced, it is a MR with SPS LPS achros pretty much a mix of everything, 4 Mp40s 3 xr30g5 blue one Xr30 G5 pro and a G6 pro, echotech L2 return.
I run a 57 w aqua UV 24/7 my flow varies from 1650 to 1300 when it dips I know time to clean pump. Tanks been running since 2022 but was an upgrade from 2 90s and all LR substrate water was transferred over before adding fresh SW.
My question is my return flow too low and am I risking coral damage, I feed and supplement weekly and change 10 % weekly.

Just looking for another reefers thoughts.

 

[FernBluffReef]

I run a 25W AquaUV 24x7 on my 112 gallon reef. System volume including sump and accounting for rock / sand is around 120 gallons.

I use a Sicce Syncra SDC 3.0 @ 100% for the UV, which based on my plumbing and pump curve is around 400 GPM.

I have plenty of pods in my sump. I do feed phyto nightly. I rarely turn the UV off. I have a powder blue Ich magnet, largely ich symptom free after a couple months settling in.