what pump for Aqua 57 watt sterilizer

[kac0143]

What pump are you using on your Aqua UV 57 watt sterilizer to get flow up to 2200 gph? Did you upgrade factory fittings on sterilizer? Thank you.

 

[lapin]

As per Top Shelf Aquatics
“Suggested flow rate for saltwater aquarium sterilization - 1066 GPH”

 

[kac0143]

seeing what pumps people are using to get that flow through the 3/4 inch fitting

 

[kac0143]

I’m not understanding how I can get 1066 gph through this. Right now I have a Mag 7 on it and Neptune flow sensor reads 115gph.

 

[UncommonSense]

I’m not understanding how I can get 1066 gph through this. Right now I have a Mag 7 on it and Neptune flow sensor reads 115gph.

Okay, so there’s something else going on here if you’re only getting 115gph through a flow sensor…. Either sensor error, or a plumbing oddity other than the severely undersized 3/4” barbed fittings!

On to the 3/4” barbed fittings; I honestly have no clue why these sterilizers are even sold with these. The company is shooting themselves in the foot RE warranty claims…

3/4” barbed fittings will struggle to exceed 600gph, unless you are at much higher pressure than any residential grade pump can produce!

— this sterilizer has a MINIMUM flow rate of 1,066GPH. Less than that can cause overheating of the bulb…

This said, they literally sell it with fittings so restrictive that every single unit sold in that configuration is suffering chronic heat issues.

I recommend getting a new pair of union halves in 2” slip from Aqua UV, then either adapting to 2” pipe thread, or 1.5” pipe thread… this allows you to use pipe threaded reducer bushings to neck it down to a dead minimum diameter of 1” pipe without having the reduced diameter be permanent! (not 1” hose! That would be 1.25” diameter dead minimum!)

 

[kac0143]

Thank you for your response. I will order the larger unions.

 

[Tangdora]

I’m not understanding how I can get 1066 gph through this. Right now I have a Mag 7 on it and Neptune flow sensor reads 115gph.

Stupid question but is your flow sensors the right way. it has a directional arrow on it and will give a low reading if flipped in the opposite as the blades inside are are curved and won’t catch water the same way

 

[kac0143]

Thanks for pointing that out. I did have in backwards. Now showing 440 GPH. I ordered the 2 inch slip connectors and will plumb with larger piping to try and get recommended flow rate.

 

[Tangdora]

What size is the tank

 

[kac0143]

Redsea 625 with a125 gallon sump.

 

[Tangdora]

Fwiw imo, the the aqua uv sizing chart is extremely misleading. It says 57 can treat up to 350 gallon which is bs. Had a 57 and have 350 gallons and it did nothing. If you want a one stop shop (algae, parasites, Dino’s) when it comes to uv shoot for 180000 um and run your pump at 533 gph. Assuming you have160 gallons of actual water this also keeps in an ideal 3-5x turnover range.

 

[kac0143]

What GPH for water clarity?

 

[kac0143]

What gph for water clarity?

 

[Tangdora]

For clarify you should be striving for high turn over running in the 30000/45000k in which based on there guide would be 3200-2133 gph. Which is a 13-20x turnover though that turnover seem a bit excess but would keep you out of the higher intensity kill alone if you’re trying to away. 5x is what I try to strive for in my tank. In your case a 5x would put you at 800gph and probably put you around 120000um which is a good all around intensity. But a mag 7 is only giving you 700gph tops.