uv?

it will help keep your algae down, water clear, fish healthy.

What is to hate?

 

I agree, though I've never owned one. I plan on purchasing one soon. I've seen tanks with them and the water is so clear. plumbed before a skimmer makes the skimmer much more effective too.

 

There are two main rules, filter the water before it goes through the UV, and make sure the flow rate through the UV is slow enough.

If they didnt work very well, major companies like Live Aquaria & most zoos wouldnt use them.

 

probably for a 9 watt. weaker bulb an a smaller unit mean less exposure time.

 

That is waaaaaay to fast, it wont allow enough dwell time to work (9W). Needs to be under 200 GPH, closer to 100 is better. T off your pump until you get the desired flow rate.

 

you will have to measure it somehow. See how long it takes to fill a gallon jug & figure out your GPH.

 

multiply by 60 if you measure the volume after one minute of test. Otherwise you'd need to determine how fast you get one gallon, then work it out. Personally I think a 5 gallon bucket would be easier to work with and fine tune.

 

well you should shoot for filling up a gallon in 30 seconds, that would make your flow rate 120 GPH

 

I dont know, all depends on head etc, gonna have to do some experimenting

 

Probably, post some pics as you do it & let us know the results.