UV Sterilizer

[blesser13]

Hello

I am planing to get a UV Sterilizer (http://www.petsandponds.com/en/aquarium-supplies/c222369/p16738814.html), my question is simple, can I just plug it in the output of my Eheim 2217 or I totally need to get a new pump for this?

[nabilbb]

you don't need to plug it to anything, it is a stand alone unit

[blesser13]

Oh, how does it work?

[nabilbb]

yes

[blesser13]

maybe im wrong but actually it Requires a powerhead that will provide an approx. 100 to 200 gph, that why I was asking if i can attach it directly to the output of my canister

[nabilbb]

I have one in my tank, and not connected to anything,
I don't know if there are some others brands you need to connect to a filter or powerhead (But I don't think so)

[blesser13]

Are you using the Coralife Turbo Twist UV Sterilizer http://www.petsandponds.com/en/aquarium-supplies/c222369/p16738814.html

[nabilbb]

no different brand
http://www.bigalsonline.ca/fish/uv-sterilizers/submariner-uv-sterilizer-clarifier-5-w.html

[Disgirl]

Blesser, as long as you can have a way for tank water to pass through the UV it will work fine. I use a separate pump for the one in my pond. You can attach yours to your inflow or outflow from a filter. Just remember you don't want the water to go through the uv too fast or it won't work as well.
Barb

[gaboon]

I use a separate pump. The slower the gph the better it works.

[Chicago Discus]

Blesser, as long as you can have a way for tank water to pass through the UV it will work fine. I use a separate pump for the one in my pond. You can attach yours to your inflow or outflow from a filter. Just remember you don't want the water to go through the uv too fast or it won't work as well.
Barb
+1

[blesser13]

Awesome thank you guys! BTW Does it run 24/7?

[nc0gnet0]

What is the flow (in gph) of your eheim and what wattage is your UV. Last of all what do you hope to accomplish? Killing algae or are you trying to kill pathogens?

Rick

[gaboon]

I run mine 24/7. Just have to change the lamps more often.

[blesser13]

What is the flow (in gph) of your eheim and what wattage is your UV. Last of all what do you hope to accomplish? Killing algae or are you trying to kill pathogens?

Rick

My Eheim is 264gph, and i have the 18 watts UV for my 55 gallon, but soon I will get a much bigger tank 75-120 gallon, actually I want to prevent both algea and pathogens

[nc0gnet0]

Assuming that your ehiem is rated for 264 gph, it more than likely only puts out an actuall 200-220 gph with media (they are rated empty). To have any effect on pathogens at that flow rate you will need a 50 watt uv or greater. An 18 watter will only kill algea.

[blesser13]

The Suggested flow rate is 200-400gph, I believe I am around 200 gph, I am a bit confused, others said that lower is the flow better is, so 200 gph should do the job for the pathogens and algea =/ ?

[blesser13]

So I went with the Coralife Turbo Twist "6X" 18 Watt UV Sterilizer (http://www.petsandponds.com/en/aquarium-supplies/c222369/p16738814.html), gonna install it on my eheim 2217, they recommend a min flow of 200 gph, I should be fine. Im wondering If I should install a timer on it, or let it run 24/7

[nc0gnet0]

Understand that the coralife's are mostly marketing and not much on performance. IMO it's a gimmick (the twist=more dwell time) and misinfomation (the size of the tank they will treat). There are three levels of protection when dealing with UV units. Each level requires significantly more power than the previous. They are:

level 1) Algae
level 2) Bacteria
level 3) Parasites

Blesser, your not starting out correctly. You don't get a uv unit and then match it to a pump. You need to match the uv unit first to your tank, which will tell you what flow you need, and then match the uv unit to this.

Figure out how many gallons your tank is, then multiply by 4. This is to give you the minimum recomended turnover rate of 4 times an hour. For examle lets say you have a 50 gallon tank, so its 50 x 4 = 200 gallons. You need a 200 gph pump (min). next decide what level of protection you want.

level one is pretty easy, for instance I can use a 36 watt unit on my 1200 gallon pond and keep it algae free. Most of the commercial UV's are rated at this level of protection and thus are very misleading. For instance your coral life doesn't claim it will kill bacteria, only sterilize them (which I doubt).

level 2 and three however require much more power and or dwell time.

[Dkarc@Aol.com]

It's all about the exposure rate! Flow @ µWs/cm². Read this:
http://www.aquaticeco.com/pages/full_width/133/Ultraviolet-Sterilizers


-Ryan

[blesser13]

Very interesting thank you