Properly sizing UV Sterilizers

[Sree]

On my 125g, I have a 40W terminator UV running and I am keeping the flow rate at 160g/hr.

[john wright]

Can anyone tell me if my 18 watt coral life turbo twist uv sterilizer is good enough for my 50 gallon tank I have the flow rate at about 30 gallons per hour coral life's chart does not go to that low of the flow rate is it okay to run at that level of a flow rate

[Hammcd]

i think on the main post it said that part is a little fuzzy...even though cora life ddoesnt have it in their chart thats how slow itd have to go to kill ich...but it also doesnt apply the 1x rule of flow which would be 50 gph for ur tank...but i think itd prob do the job..just have to fidn a pump that only does 30 gph...or you could get something else like an Aqua UV sterilizer that has much higher radiation levels...i have a 15w that has more than the 11,400 the cora life 18w has...and it actually needs 50 gph to kill ich..i guess it depends on the manufacuter etc...my UV is for sale by the way

Originally Posted by john wright

Can anyone tell me if my 18 watt coral life turbo twist uv sterilizer is good enough for my 50 gallon tank I have the flow rate at about 30 gallons per hour coral life's chart does not go to that low of the flow rate is it okay to run at that level of a flow rate

[slowjazz]

Originally Posted by mojo

I've never read anything that would indicate that it would, and given that my numbers are based on the minimums, I'd say that bigger is better in this case, esp. if you're serious about keeping Ich under control.

Odd question... In the doc you posted, it mentioned LR. If you went 300+ to kill ich, what would that do the the live rock? I currently have a new 55g tank with LR and fish only right now. (5w uv running about 200gph) Would that slow down the LR ?

[Aston Martin]

How long are UV bulbs good for?

[mojo]

Originally Posted by Aston Martin

How long are UV bulbs good for?

It's impossible to know without some kind of meter, but figure 6 months to a year. I tried to replace mine yearly.

They're like any other bulb, where they continue to function for a long while, but the output slowly deteriorates, and they'll need to be replaced to remain effective.

[USMCBAX]

This is a great thread.! This is just what i was looking for, thanks Mojo.

[Jfb3]

Very good information. Got a ick problem now. Makes me feel like I don't belong in the hobby when ick hits, never know what to really do .

[LilRobb]

Aqua UV and Current look identical - anyone any insight to this?

[dedvalson]

Hi all,

I added a 57 Watt Aqua UV to my 100 gallon system a couple days ago because I wanted to be able to kill Marine Ich.

Since I did, I have seen a significant decline in pH, with a drop from 8.28 to 7.9 over a 20 hour period. It seems to be staying at that lower level, waiting for my lights to come back on and see how close it comes back up to my normal level. My normal day to night swing is from 8.3 down to 8.1.

Can anyone offer any ideas as to why running a very powerful UV sterilizer would lower pH significantly?

Thanks,

Don