uv?

hey all, i know that uv sterilizers are a love em or hate em thing but i was wondering if putting one on my 12g would be benefitial? with my sump ill be close to 20 total gal. let me know your thoughts and opinions.

 

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

What is to hate?

 

some say it doesnt do what everyone thinks.... that was over on RC. would a 9w be ok on 17ish gallons?

 

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.

 

is 300gph to fast for proper sterilization?

 

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

 

even with a smaller water valume?

 

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.

 

how will i know when my flow is right?

 

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

 

smart! lol then times by 60?

 

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.

 

i believe the pump im using is an aqua clear 70 which used to be called the aqua clear 802.

 

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

 

Ok. But would that be enough flow to push the water from my sump to the tank?

 

i was looking athe specs and it says 400gph BUT 175 in reverse. maybe i could run my return off the reverse side?

 

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

 

after looking at it it doesnt look like the return line will fit but, its adjustable flow. so half would be 200 and half that would be 100.... would this work?

 

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