UV Sterilizer Install Questions

[jabberkaycee]

I want to install my UV sterilizer and have never used one before, so I have several questions. I plan on running it 24/7 for water clarity, and then adjust the flow in the event I need to kill parasites. Specifications:

90g (tank and sump). Approx 75 total water volume
25w AquaUV sterilizer
Main return pump - Neptune COR, currently set at 45%
3/4” tubing connectors for UV
Flow meter (not received yet)

1) The user manual says horizontal installation is best but says it can be installed vertically. What’s the downside to a vertical installation?

2) If I want to go ahead and run the UV before installing the flow meterz, how would I determine my approximate flow rate?

3) What size pump would you recommend for the UV?

4) In the below pic of my plumbing, can the return from the UV be used on the extra connector, or is that connector only for outflow?

5) Any other feedback or advice?

 

[W31Olds]

To achieve the flow rate you need to kill Parasites a larger unit is required. 40 Watts might be sufficient.

 

[Freenow54]

First Verify the light sometimes called a filter is a UV- C bulb for proper rating then from what I have read is to physical measure the time to fill a gallon jug , and do the math. Personally I would plumb it entirely separate so its easy to maintain ie a bypass line . Then do a third line dedicated for parasites already set up for flow rate ( Dose ) so you can switch it over right away

 

[JumboShrimp]

I would advise 'Not' placing the unit horizontally. It can trap large bubbles and have an undesirable effect on the bulb. Vertical is the way to go-- but if space constraints make it impossible to orient the unit any way but horizontal, try to at least mount it on on 'slant' (angle) to cut down on a fixed pocket of air. Hope that helps.

 

[Freenow54]

I would advise 'Not' placing the unit horizontally. It can trap large bubbles and have an undesirable effect on the bulb. Vertical is the way to go-- but if space constraints make it impossible to orient the unit any way but horizontal, try to at least mount it on on 'slant' (angle) to cut down on a fixed pocket of air. Hope that helps.

I have to disagree. Refer to manufacturers literature. Mine stated quite clearly a horizontal installation is preferred . My connections come off the top of the cylinder when installed this way .If it were vertical the entrapment could easily occur at the top

 

[JumboShrimp]

To each his own, I suppose. This photo (from a Pentair 40 UV install manual) first shows a vertical mounting-- noting that if horizontally mounted, "the electrical end should be positioned higher than the non-electrical end"-- i.e., a slant is needed. (Deviations in mounting/positioning is a safety hazard and voids the warranty.)

 

[Freenow54]

To each his own, I suppose. This photo (from a Pentair 40 UV install manual) first shows a vertical mounting-- noting that if horizontally mounted, "the electrical end should be positioned higher than the non-electrical end"-- i.e., a slant is needed. (Deviations in mounting/positioning is a safety hazard and voids the warranty.)

Very good reply . So they offer Both ways . I went to the site . I have done a fair amount of research, I think this is the best Explanation by a manufacturer I have seen. My Geek Explicitly says Horizontal is the best. That is why I did say check the manufacturers site. I am glad you responded with such a detailed explanation. I think I have found my choice of Filter regardless of the Cost. I have always searched for replacement parts as a deciding factor. I hope they are available and fairly reasonable. Thanks Again

 

[JumboShrimp]

I think I actually need to refine my comment, after more careful reading. Regarding the choice to mount horizontally, it seems you would need to slant it with the 'electrical end' up IF for some reason you can't keep it perfectly level. (So I stand right, AND corrected, at the same time. ) Best wishes to all.

 

[Freenow54]

I think I actually need to refine my comment, after more careful reading. Regarding the choice to mount horizontally, it seems you would need to slant it with the 'electrical end' up IF for some reason you can't keep it perfectly level. (So I stand right, AND corrected, at the same time. ) Best wishes to all.

Interesting since my geek is mounted with the electrical at the inlet. Per the instructions

 

[jmaneyapanda]

I think I actually need to refine my comment, after more careful reading. Regarding the choice to mount horizontally, it seems you would need to slant it with the 'electrical end' up IF for some reason you can't keep it perfectly level. (So I stand right, AND corrected, at the same time. ) Best wishes to all.

Id like to correct a nuance of your statement. The electrical/non electrical end only matters if the flow is in the directions indicated in the diagram. If, for whatever reason, the flow input and utput were reversed (for plumbing ease, etc), the higher end would need to be the outflow side. In that diagram, it just happens to be the electrical side, but thats coincidence.

 

[jabberkaycee]

So it can be installed vertically or horizontally. What’s about just using a separate pump if inline is not an option? If so, what pump would you recommend? My plumbing is in the pic above, but I’m not sure how to install it inline. It’s in the cabinet of an UNS R90 with limited anvailable space. Any suggestions? Copying @UNS_Parker

 

[JumboShrimp]

Here is one of mine (in the tub with a pump in the bucket-- imitating a sump), getting the required 'paper towel leak test'. But you can see I used silicone tubing both in and out of the UV unit.

 

[jmaneyapanda]

So it can be installed vertically or horizontally. What’s about just using a separate pump if inline is not an option? If so, what pump would you recommend? My plumbing is in the pic above, but I’m not sure how to install it inline. It’s in the cabinet of an UNS R90 with limited anvailable space. Any suggestions? Copying @UNS_Parker

I dont think theres a way to put it inline using the prefabricated factory plumbing. Unless you wanted to cut it. And they use metric plumbing, so youd need to find adapters.

I installed a Aqua UV on a larger UNS system, and use the manifold outlet to feed it and just push it back into the sump. It wasnt ideal, and used a little of the return pump flow, but it was the best, cleanest solution I could find.

 

[jmaneyapanda]

Here is one of mine (in the tub with a pump in the bucket-- imitating a sump), getting the required 'paper towel leak test'. But you can see I used silicone tubing both in and out of the UV unit.

Cant really see in either picture, but this is good, assuming the inlet to the UV is at the bottom and the outlet is at the top.

 

[jmaneyapanda]

I dont think theres a way to put it inline using the prefabricated factory plumbing. Unless you wanted to cut it. And they use metric plumbing, so youd need to find adapters.

I installed a Aqua UV on a larger UNS system, and use the manifold outlet to feed it and just push it back into the sump. It wasnt ideal, and used a little of the return pump flow, but it was the best, cleanest solution I could find.

@jabberkaycee - scratch that- I can think of a way to use this inline, but itll be ugly as heck. You can have the main return pump plumber to the UV, and the on the outlet of the UV, manuever it to the bottom barbed fitting of the return plumbing. It would be tight, and would be a lot of hose or pipe running around, but it would get 100% of the return through the UV. FWIW

 

[Freenow54]

Id like to correct a nuance of your statement. The electrical/non electrical end only matters if the flow is in the directions indicated in the diagram. If, for whatever reason, the flow input and utput were reversed (for plumbing ease, etc), the higher end would need to be the outflow side. In that diagram, it just happens to be the electrical side, but thats coincidenc

I dont think theres a way to put it inline using the prefabricated factory plumbing. Unless you wanted to cut it. And they use metric plumbing, so youd need to find adapters.

I installed a Aqua UV on a larger UNS system, and use the manifold outlet to feed it and just push it back into the sump. It wasnt ideal, and used a little of the return pump flow, but it was the best, cleanest solution I could find.

Also You have to consider maintaining it. As well as for me the convenience of setting other lines to treat for algae or parasite control. I would definitely plumb it separately

 

[UNS_Parker]

I want to install my UV sterilizer and have never used one before, so I have several questions. I plan on running it 24/7 for water clarity, and then adjust the flow in the event I need to kill parasites. Specifications:

90g (tank and sump). Approx 75 total water volume
25w AquaUV sterilizer
Main return pump - Neptune COR, currently set at 45%
3/4” tubing connectors for UV
Flow meter (not received yet)

1) The user manual says horizontal installation is best but says it can be installed vertically. What’s the downside to a vertical installation?

2) If I want to go ahead and run the UV before installing the flow meterz, how would I determine my approximate flow rate?

3) What size pump would you recommend for the UV?

4) In the below pic of my plumbing, can the return from the UV be used on the extra connector, or is that connector only for outflow?

5) Any other feedback or advice?

I would not attach the outflow to the return barb. We have had customers attach the UV to the electrical cabinet by drilling it into the sump side, and other customers run it completely out of the stand using a standalone pump and long filter tubing. They keep the pump in the protein skimmer chamber, place the UV behind the stand or something, and then put the outflow tubing into the return pump chamber.

As @jmaneyapanda said, the most popular solution is to use the barb to run the UV back into the sump. We know it isn't ideal, as some of the UV will be recirculating inside the sump, but it keeps the sump pretty organized.

 

[jmaneyapanda]

Also You have to consider maintaining it. As well as for me the convenience of setting other lines to treat for algae or parasite control. I would definitely plumb it separately

Im not following what youre saying. Are you saying maintaining the UV unit itself? Like changing the bulb and quartz sleeve? The UV body housing can be anywhere really. On the UNS system I worked on, it fit horizontally right next to the sump so the bulb could pull straight out towards the front.

WHat other lines for algae or parasite control are you referring to?

 

[jabberkaycee]

I would not attach the outflow to the return barb. We have had customers attach the UV to the electrical cabinet by drilling it into the sump side, and other customers run it completely out of the stand using a standalone pump and long filter tubing. They keep the pump in the protein skimmer chamber, place the UV behind the stand or something, and then put the outflow tubing into the return pump chamber.

As @jmaneyapanda said, the most popular solution is to use the barb to run the UV back into the sump. We know it isn't ideal, as some of the UV will be recirculating inside the sump, but it keeps the sump pretty organized.

Thank you both so much @UNS_Parker & @jmaneyapanda - that is exactly what I will do. Thank you as always

 

[jabberkaycee]

Here is one of mine (in the tub with a pump in the bucket-- imitating a sump), getting the required 'paper towel leak test'. But you can see I used silicone tubing both in and out of the UV unit.

This pic helped me to visualize what I need to do - thank you!