UV Sterilizer

[Mike A]

Any suggestion on a UV Sterilizer? I'm not familiar with how they work and would like one that would be set up in the sump rather then the display tank.

Thanks Mike

[LotsaFishies]

the AquaUV sterilizers are nice. One with a wiper is helpful.

[H4Rk3R]

not to thread jack, but could a UV be installed on the gravity feed overflow return hose?

[coral diver]

+ 1 on AquaUV


You could but you want a sufficient amount of flow going through the sterilizer and you might have a problem, I would suggest plumb it in line with your return pump.

[Funkateer_1]

+2 on aqua uv (w/ wiper).

their sturdy, reliable, and a breeze to hard plumb.

[Mike A]

My return line is 1" Sch40. I'm looking @ the recommended Aqua UV Sterilizer with Wiper, and I'm seeing different ones. 1 with a 3/4 I/O & another with 2" I/O. Nothing for 1" do I reduce the line or what? Not sure on witch one would be the best for my set up? Oh and what is the wiper?

Thanks guys

[Funkateer_1]

Get the 2" one and reduce it down to whatever size you want. The wiper let's you clean the bulb without disassembling the unit, it'll extend the life of the bulb from a few months to a few years

[SDguy]

Get the 2" one and reduce it down to whatever size you want. The wiper let's you clean the bulb without disassembling the unit, it'll extend the life of the bulb from a few months to a few years

That's not really correct. The wiper keeps the quartz sleeve clean, thus allowing more UV to come into contact with the water. Bulb life is independent of this, and I haven't heard that the recommended 6 month life has changed for UV bulbs. Has it?

[Mario]

1. You need a minimum of 6-10 seconds of contact time with the uv light to work
2. The light works on the principle of uv radiation
3. The uv radiation alters the dna, thus making the parasite, algae, bacteria not being able to reproduce, does not kill on contact
4. Only works on free floating organisms that come into contact with light, not ich already on the fish
5. Wipers do not expand the life of the bulb, they are there to keep the quartz sleeve clean to help maximize the amount of uv light coming through them
6. Said light can give you a sunburn or cause permanent to temp blindness, try not to look at the light lol

[specvjeff]

That's not really correct. The wiper keeps the quartz sleeve clean, thus allowing more UV to come into contact with the water. Bulb life is independent of this, and I haven't heard that the recommended 6 month life has changed for UV bulbs. Has it?

The wiper is in fact only to clean the quart sleeve. UV bulb life is still 6 months for proper disinfection.

SanDiegoReefs.com Moderator

[specvjeff]

My return line is 1" Sch40. I'm looking @ the recommended Aqua UV Sterilizer with Wiper, and I'm seeing different ones. 1 with a 3/4 I/O & another with 2" I/O. Nothing for 1" do I reduce the line or what? Not sure on witch one would be the best for my set up? Oh and what is the wiper?

Thanks guys

I would run your uv separate of your return pump. This will allow you to have proper flow through the unit without reducing your return line.

SanDiegoReefs.com Moderator

[Mike A]

If the UV is not recommended to be on the the return line how would you recommend setting it up, sorry for all the questions, Its just that this is all new to me and I'm one to not cut corners and I like to do things one time and it be the most functional and look good to

Thanks

[SDguy]

If the UV is not recommended to be on the the return line how would you recommend setting it up, sorry for all the questions, Its just that this is all new to me and I'm one to not cut corners and I like to do things one time and it be the most functional and look good to

Thanks

Maybe start by telling us why you are interested in a UV to begin with?

[specvjeff]

If the UV is not recommended to be on the the return line how would you recommend setting it up, sorry for all the questions, Its just that this is all new to me and I'm one to not cut corners and I like to do things one time and it be the most functional and look good to

Thanks

Get another pump and just run it through the uv and back into the sump.

SanDiegoReefs.com Moderator

[Mike A]

I've got a PBT that has come down with a minor case of ich. I know it will not remove the ich that the present fish has but prevent future LS to aquire any proplems. It was required by a few folks here on the forum + correct me if I'm wrong does it improve water quality (clarity)?