UV Sterilizer, Plumbing, Triton... Oh My!

[esther]

I don’t think so; you may have misunderstood them if that’s your takeaway. At the risk of repeating myself from a different, recent thread; there are two things to consider with an UV sterilizer. The first is flow rate through the unit, the second is the total volume moved through the unit in a given period. In order to get true sterilization (and assuming a good quality UVC bulb) you need to limit the flow rate to 8-10 gallons per minute per UV watt. That will allow you to address both parasites and algae. So if a 57 watt unit, no more than 570 gallons per hour. But, you also need to make sure that a sufficient volume moves through the unit. If, for example, you have a system of 150 gallons, the 570 gallons per hour will mean the system volume moves through the unit 3 times per hour which is good. A 25 watt UV would mean only about 1.5 times which is probably OK, but perhaps a bit low.

Since the flow rates required for clarification (algae) are much higher, for a given UV size, the system volume moves through the unit more frequently and clarification may occur faster. Clarification will occur at the slower sterilization flow rates, it just may take a bit longer to achieve the desired results.

Other than observable impact on water clarity, the effectiveness of an UV on parasites in a closed system is unproven. Whether you choose to run one is ultimately up to you. Since the negative impact is minimal, I do run a large one in my system because it makes sense to me that it would help to reduce parasite pressure.

Thanks! Super helpful explanation.

 

[esther]

I don’t think so; you may have misunderstood them if that’s your takeaway. At the risk of repeating myself from a different, recent thread; there are two things to consider with an UV sterilizer. The first is flow rate through the unit, the second is the total volume moved through the unit in a given period. In order to get true sterilization (and assuming a good quality UVC bulb) you need to limit the flow rate to 8-10 gallons per minute per UV watt. That will allow you to address both parasites and algae. So if a 57 watt unit, no more than 570 gallons per hour. But, you also need to make sure that a sufficient volume moves through the unit. If, for example, you have a system of 150 gallons, the 570 gallons per hour will mean the system volume moves through the unit 3 times per hour which is good. A 25 watt UV would mean only about 1.5 times which is probably OK, but perhaps a bit low.

Since the flow rates required for clarification (algae) are much higher, for a given UV size, the system volume moves through the unit more frequently and clarification may occur faster. Clarification will occur at the slower sterilization flow rates, it just may take a bit longer to achieve the desired results.

Other than observable impact on water clarity, the effectiveness of an UV on parasites in a closed system is unproven. Whether you choose to run one is ultimately up to you. Since the negative impact is minimal, I do run a large one in my system because it makes sense to me that it would help to reduce parasite pressure.

Also, check out the video at 52:13. This is what I referencing.

Thanks again for your help!

 

[ca1ore]

LOL, they say NOT to have an UV on the drain ….. which is exactly what I do ….. clear we don't see eye-to-eye.