Does anyone use a UV sterilser in their system, if so what r the advantages in using one & what harmfull bugs does it kill off in the water, how is it set up, can it be set up in series with an external filter or does it require a separate pump to supply the flow of water. Any other info appreciated.

Cheers

Coco

Hi Coco,

They certainly keep the water sweet, and depending on the wattage can destroy varying levels of bacteria and pathogens. Most importantly if the water is good (improved by u/v) the fishes own immune system can cope better with any problems thrown at it.

The u/v can be used in series with a canister filter as long as it doesn't slow flow rate drastically, this is how most u/v's were designed, so cleaned water is passed through them.

Don't use whilst maturing a filter,

Cheers G

Cheers granville,

I have been thinking of adding one, anything that can improve the water quality is a good addition, my tank holds 300ltrs would an 11 watt UV be suffice for this?


Cheers

coco

I take it the water has to be clean before it enters the UV so that it works properly?

Are there any filter/uv external filters on the market?

Willied

Hi Coco,

11 watts would be excellent,

Willie, water has to be clean before it hits the u/v or the light can't penetrate to zap the bad guys, you can run one from a powerhead with a fine sponge pre-filter if all else fails, or plumb them into your central system return pipe,

Cheers G

Water has to be clean otherwise the UV efficiency drops and the UV bulb wears out quicker, usually a bulb last for about 6 months and there are filters available in the market in either 2, 5 and 10 microns.
Filter should be installed at the discharge side of either the canister filter or the discharge piping of your central system sump pump, removing all the sediment
that is carried over and then to the UV sterilizer before the water reaches the tanks.
11 watts UV sterilizer can do up to 125 gallons tank.
minimum flow rate 100 gph and maximum 200 gallons gph.
turkis

:) :) :) :)

http://www.tmc-ltd.co.uk/aquarium/vecton-uv.asp

http://www.tmc-ltd.co.uk/commercial/uv-filtration.asp

Thanks for all your help & input guys


Coco

Have just set up a UV steriliser, went for a bit of overkill, a 25 watt uv which can handle more than double my tank volume. I haven't told the wife yet but this is not my last fish tank, so it will do my next much bigger tank!

Turkis,

Any Idea of where to buy those 2, 5 or 10 micron filters, have looked locally but no joy any mail order company or have u seen the advertised in any website?

At the moment, the last stage of my external filter is fine filter/polymer wool.

Cheers

Col

Hi Col,
You could buy the swimming pool or the Spa type filters that are available and they do come in different micron sizes. You may have to place PVC adapters on the inlet and outlet size of the filter to fit your needs.
Attached picture is the filter that I'm using and I have no idea If it is available in UK.
turkis

:) :) :) :)

Try Lee, sorry can't remember his other name lol :lol:

He sells RO man bits, and the cannisters that turkis is referring to are the same as RO pods....................

Cheers G

Its lee churton and a very nice guy.

Does he work for the A.A since he's a very nice man? :D :D :D :D

Sorry Bazz,

It was a joke, I do know Lee, just my sense of humour :P :D :D

Cheers G & T


I shall look at my RO unit for the connections, internal size for fittings & see if it will reduce the flow from my filter. Offhand I know the tubing is 1/4 " but the hole size in the main RO housing/POD has to be bigger. If not, I'm sure a new housing could be drilled & tapped for fittings of suitable internal dia for my filter.

I shall maybe PM the very nice man at the AA, until then I think the polywool in the filter should be ok for the UV?

Hey Coco,

Forget the RO fitments, the holes are dual fitting, i.e. you can screw half inch threaded into the containers, the quarter inch are used just for the RO unit, if you look you will see it's half inch reduced to quarter for RO purposes,

Cheers G

Granville,

That's perfect, all I need is the POD housing with say a 5 micron filter, a couple of fittings 1/2" thread to hose coupling & hey presto the perfect filter for the UV.

I think the fine polymer filter wool would be adequate but the filter above ensures that the UV will be working at it's full efficiency.



Cheers

coco

Hi Col,
It is not finished, regarding the UV sterilizer it's size, flow rate through the UV and the clearance between the UV bulb and the internal diameter of the casing.
Some manufacturers do suggest so much flow per hour, etc. it is a whole bunch of baloney and that's all they are trying to do is to sell the equipment.
Here's a chart showing the gph allowed to deliver a 30,000 mw-sec/cm2 zap dosage for the following sizes of 2" UV sterilizers, which is good for most bacteria/viruses...

25 watt unit = 80 gph
30 watt unit = 125 gph
64 watt unit = 275 gph

In order to turnover 99.99% of the contents of a 125g tank in 12 hours (to get the twice daily turnover) you would need a flow rate of 96gph. So if you buy a 30w unit and run it at 96gph you can run it continuously. You would have to change the bulb every 6 months.

You'll get used to The G-Man's humour soon bazz......

I reckon its living where theres palmtrees that does it to him. :D :D :D

Hows does the distance of the UV effect it's use? I take it, it has to do with water penetration?

I don't have one, so do the bulbs have reflectors above them?

Willied

its ok all taken in good humour,by the way i thought they were only allowed crayons when did they start giving them computers. :P

Hi Turkis,

The flow rate from my filter is approx 1000 ltr/hr. say 220 g/hr & the uv is 25w.
Does this mean that the higher flow rate through the uv reduce it's efficiency or is the higher turnover more beneficial? also the higher turnover does this reduce the life of the uv bulb? :wacko:

Many thanks

Col

Hi Col,
The higher the flow rate it will reduce it's efficiency plus the bulb's life span.
Tank water turnover should be twice of it's capacity per day.
The higher the turnover you will not have a 99% bacteria/virus kill.
turkis

:) :) :) :)

Thanks for the help & advice Turkis, nothing in life is simple & straight forward :)