UV Sterilizers

[Injoynit]

Ok, got a question about UV sterilizers.
I'd like to run one for bacteria which would be at a low flow
and...
a separate one at high flow for algae.
Has anyone done this? Is there a benefit/problem doing this? Do I just adjust the UV to mid flow to get both?

Posted this in another forum but thought it would be better here.

 

[Waters]

There would be no harm in running both if that is what you wanted to do. UV doesn't do a whole lot for algae anyways though, unless you are talking about green water where the spores are floating in the water column. I run one right in the middle of the recommended range from low flow (for parasites) to higher flow (bacterial). You also have the option of putting a valve on it so you can just change the flow rate as needed.

 

[Artillerydrill]

If you just ran one on a low flow you are going to be killing algae and bacteria.... i really don’t see a need to run two unless you really just want to

 

[Waters]

If you just ran one on a low flow you are going to be killing algae and bacteria.... i really don’t see a need to run two unless you really just want to

I agree.....although if you could run it at a higher GPH (for bacterial issues for example), you could be sterilizing much more water then you would if you were running it low flow all the time.

 

[Artillerydrill]

Also i know this wasn’t in the original topic but make sure to get one to match your tank size. I’m sure this goes without saying but sellers sometimes recommend small units that wouldn’t really impact a larger aquarium. I have an aqua uv 25 watt and it has a pretty substantial size that is hard to fit under my Red Sea tank

 

[Injoynit]

I ended up getting coralife 36 watt turbo twist.
I got it into the sump area but it was just way to big and loud (because of where i put it due to space) that I decided not to use it. ;Meh Now, if I had a separate room it'd be just fine. :D
I'll hold on to it for emergency's and such but they are just way to big for my tank size and there is very little room in my sump. ;Sour
Oh well, worth a try, back to the carbon. ;)