UV Steralizer - Page 2

Sprout579 · 11-09-2005, 05:33 PM

I was told that by extending the tube between the maxijet and the skimmer I would be robbing performance from the skimmer so I was wondering if that also would apply to extending the inlet for the pump seeing as the pump would have to pull water from the sump through the steralizer into the pump and then into the skimmer. The vertical movement of water through the hose to take the water from the sump to the steralizer would rely on the pull from the pump. I would think it would decrease the power of the pump restricting the skimmers potential

reef_noob · 11-09-2005, 05:37 PM

You are correct. Further, powerheads don't work as well under suction as they do under pressure. The idea of running the uv inline before the skimmer is good, but may require upgrading to a mag 3 or possibly a mag 5.

Sprout579 · 11-09-2005, 05:45 PM

I think I will just T the uv through the return and have it setup on the nighttime cycle so it will only be running 12hrs a day so I wont kill everything in the tank just keep it a bit cleaner. It will save me heart ache I think trying to fit everything in the corner of my cabinet. If you have any input as to why this is a bad idea please let me know. If not I appreciate all of your help and wish me luck, within the next week or so I will be purchasing my first live coral and get this reef underway

Geoff · 11-10-2005, 03:16 PM

i am pretty sure that UV will not be able to kill any parasites. it will break down DOC's and kill most algae, but nothing bigger. it takes a big UV sterilizer to do that. your is what is called a UV clearifier. they say sterilizer, but they are not really able to do that. with out plubing it up to a 1gph pump.

G~

Sprout579 · 11-10-2005, 05:38 PM

is the UV counterproductive or does it rob food from my inverts??

Geoff · 11-11-2005, 02:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sprout579

is the UV counterproductive or does it rob food from my inverts??

another tough question to answer. if used before the skimmer than it is not really removing anything more than the skimmer would anyway. a monster skimmer will do more for depleting your plankton life than a UV would.

G~

bobbo443 · 11-11-2005, 05:50 AM

I run the same sterilizer on all of my tanks and did not have a problem with any of my inverts

Sprout579 · 11-11-2005, 03:39 PM

Well I hooked up all the plumbing and I hate threaded PVC, I tried to put a ball valve on the return in case I wanted a faster flow through the Steralizer and I taped all the threads but I still have 3minor leaks so I am doing away with the PVC and just going with T's, forget the ball valve, if I need it later on I will try again but as for now simpler is better. Thanks for everyones help.
Would it be better to run the UV on the night cycle or on the day cycle? I ask because my timer only has plug room during the day cycle but if it makes a difference and I should want it on at night then I will figure something out.