Uv wattage

[Popsmer]

Still in the learning process. I have a 29 gallon and I would like to add a uv. LFS said " a 10 watt would be over kill. Get a 6 or 7 watt, place it on a timer and set it to run once a day for no more than 2 - 3 hours so I don't kill off the good bacteria. " Is that about right?

 

[Diesel]

What's the reason you think you need a UV?

 

[Popsmer]

Typical nuisance hair algae. I turn off the lights for 2-3 days reduce feeding to every other day sparingly and I still end up getting it.

 

[Popsmer]

It goes away and comes back within 4 days.

 

[lion king]

Your good bacteria will be living on the rocks, sand , and what ever other media you may be using; any free floating good bacteria being killed off would be of no consequence. UV is an effective clarifier but really nothing else; I use one for help with algae control. A small 6 or 7 watt would be fine, but it also needs to run through alot slower than your return pump; in case you were planning to plumb it in line with the return pump.

 

[Popsmer]

Do you keep yours on a timer ?

 

[Diesel]

UV doesn't do a thing to HA or any other algae that is attached to rock, sand, glass or equipment in the tank.
It's a clarifier and algae that is suspended in the water column only will be damaged or can be killed.
You need to lower you nutrients in the tank in order to get a dent in your HA.
By using a UV you can kill off beneficial bacteria and these will turn into food for thought for your HA again.

 

[lion king]

I run it 24/7, I have one on my 210. 35 watts at 262 gph, using a mj1200 as it's on pump. On your size tank you want it running through somewhere around 100-120gph, maybe even less. If you run it too fast there is not enough contact time for it to be effective.

 

[Popsmer]

Thanks Diesel and lion king.