Which UV unit?

Tutmos · 03-20-2006, 07:34 PM

After talking with Derek over the weekend and doing some later reading I'm thinking about adding a UV unit to my 120. I plan to put it near the end of one of my two overflow drains before it reaches the sump. So it would dump into the area where the skimmer pulls its water from.

All the water from that overflow would pass through the UV. If it bottlenecks the second overflow can easily handle a lot more flow, two 1.5" drains for a Mag 7 3/4" feed at about 5 feet of head.

So the real question is which brand and unit and which input output size? The drain that will feed it is 1.5" but it isn't running anywhere near capacity. So I'm concerned that the 2" units might not even completely fill with water and at the same time I wonder if the 3/4" units will back up the drain too much. Any thoughts? I'm leaning toward the 3/4" but not sure on brand and power.

BTW can I assume the actual power consumption of these units is near the rated wattage with some additional consumption to account for efficiency issues?

Thanks in advance.

Kevin

Soltaker · 03-20-2006, 07:44 PM

http://www.marinedepot.com/aquarium_..._uv.asp?CartId=

Might be a little much, but Greg Shields ran a 120 watt on his 450 and had nothing but good things to say about it.

redwinger · 03-20-2006, 07:55 PM

I have a aqua UV 25 watt that is running both the display and the frag tank. It is plumbed right before the skimmer. I run a mag 5 through the UV then from the UV to the skimmer and then it goes back into the tank. I took the UV off the tank for about 4 months to see if there was a noticeable difference in water quality and there was IMO. I also started to see some wierd algae pop up. Needless to say I am setting the UV back up as the ozone was not enough to handle it all like I though might be the case. I would suggest the 25 watt unit or the 40 watt max unit from aqua ultraviolet.

Tutmos · 03-20-2006, 08:21 PM

I think I'll probably go with the 40w if I can get over the length of the things, 43" long. It'll just fit in my stand, but barely. So Aqua Ultraviolet makes good gear?

Kevin

ZOKU · 03-20-2006, 08:31 PM

Wow... I had no idea they were that lengthy... 43-inches long is a pretty good sized piece of equipment. Hmmm... post up and let us know how you like it.

Tim224DT · 03-20-2006, 08:33 PM

I like my Rainbow Lifeguard UV.

Tim

sfilingeri · 03-20-2006, 08:40 PM

I have a Coralife Turbo Twist UV and love it, but just remember the slower the water is flowing into the UV the more its zapping away.

I have it on the return of a Fluval Canister Filter and its been working perfect, had a terrible ick out-break and cured it perfect.

Sea monkey · 03-20-2006, 08:48 PM

depends on what your priorities are . if its affordability than aqua uv seems to be the one , if you want quality than emperor aquatics is it. i got my emperor UV from koi acres and love it. algae is maybe 5% of what it use it be and while it hasn't eradicated it, the spread of bubble algae has almost completely ceased.

i dont know if this is propaganda or not but its a interesting read

http://www.emperoraquatics.com/uvdet...-empvsaqua.php

Minnreefer · 03-20-2006, 08:53 PM

I have 2 emperor UV's and do love them, I have said that they are an overkill but I can't say enough about my tanks and how healthy with the little maintence that I have done, I have a 40 watt 4' on my 110 and a 150 watt HO on my 135 here is a link http://www.emperoraquatics.com/aquasmartuv.php

Just my 2 cents

Jon

ZOKU · 03-20-2006, 08:56 PM

I'm sold. I'm definitely getting one for my tank.

Minnreefer · 03-20-2006, 08:57 PM

I made my 150 w HO myself it is 6' long and 6" diameter pvc

Tutmos · 03-20-2006, 09:23 PM

Hrmm. The 40watt Emperor unit is only $30 or so more than the Aqua UV unit. Price is based on Marine Depot for the Aqua UV and Koi for the Emperor unit. Am I missing something here or is $340 the price for the whole deal through Koi Acres? The 1.5" unions on the Emperor would be perfect for me since my overflows are already 1.5".

Kevin

Sea monkey · 03-20-2006, 09:36 PM

try custom aquatics . they are cheaper on almost everything . plus there is a 5% coupon code. http://www.customaquatic.com/customa...dexid=uv-aq-md

however you don't have to pay shipping for the emperor aquatics .think they have a sale in the spring too : )

Graham · 03-20-2006, 10:53 PM

Emporer rules, but they're hard to find.
I'd ask Devin if he knows where any are.

salty65gal · 03-20-2006, 11:44 PM

I have a 18 watt Coralife Turbotwist that is plumbed in the return of a Fluval 404. I haven't had it running yet, wanted to wait a few months so the 120 was going good. I think it's about time to test it out......