UV light and flow

[hooked]

Hello all,

Got my 90g coming end of this week and stopped by a few stores pricing out wet/dry systems. I think I am going with a Aqua Clear unit rated at 125g with a Aqua Clear 150 skimmer ( getting a different pump in place of the rio 2100 ). Probably put a mag 7 on it for return. My question is should I try and hook up my old Tetra Tec UV5 sterilizer? The sterilizer is rated at 300 gph and I figure with a mag 7 I think I will be at 400 gph return. Will the sterilizer be a waiste of time and not really work with that flow?Would it be best to save the electric for something else. This is going to be a FO tank and would like to use stuff I have since it cost me 80 bucks and just sitting around.

If I don't need if anybody is interested in making an offer for it super. It was used on my 38g for only 3 months so still has lots of life left on the bulb.

Thanks,

[Spanky]

Will the sterilizer be a waiste of time and not really work with that flow

Bingo

Would it be best to save the electric for something else.

Uh huh.
Not because a UV won't work but a 5w on a 90 won't do any of the things you'd want it to do.

Spanks

[hooked]

Thanks Spanky, any idea on a size I can put on?

[Spanky]

Jim,

Since this is fish only, you want that for parasites? right?

Anyhow, Greg's figures on his site for UV's are accurate. You basically want to turn the system volume over 4-5 times and hour through the UV. So you'd need a UV rated to kill parasites at that flow rate.

Here's Greg's Site

Jerel

[hooked]

Thanks for the link Spanky. WOW, they are big bucks, think I will hold of on that

[MikeP]

OK, I have a uv 15 w on my 55 and I am thinking of it on my new 90 reef wen I set it up. Is this OK. I remeber seeing different responses in the past

[Spanky]

Hi Mike, I'm guessing part of the reason you see several different responses is because UV's can do several different things.
fungus, bacteria, virus, parasites, etc and all need different strengths of exposure. A UV will even oxidize some organics and break bonds that have formed with some organics.
When you say "is this OK?" you need to decide what you want it to do.

and no fair saying 'all of the above'!

[MikeP]

Spanky;
Wanting to know is it going to hurt the reef tank at all. Kill good bacteria, harm the reef at all..... There are positives and negative to everything but just wondering if it is harmful or beneficial to a reef tank. I know it is for Fish only.
Thanks

[Spanky]

Oh LOL

Mike a 15 on a 90gal would have so little effect on the things you're worried about, you could say it's zero.
It more than likely would have a roll in keeping bacteria levels more in line, and would help to oxidize and free up some organics, etc.
I think those are all good things.