How to plumb a UV Sterilizer, set the right flow rate and avoid UV mistakes.
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- Опубликовано: 10 июл 2024
- Is there a right way or a wrong way to setup a UV Sterilizer on our reef tanks? From where you install the UV Sterilizer to how to get the right flow rate, Ryan identifies some common UV Sterilizer installation mistakes and helps you avoid them altogether!
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The content contained in this video is general information on the topic and should not be relied upon as your sole source of information or safety advice for this project or topic. Each product or situation is different and has its own concerns related to successful completion and safety that must be fully researched by the individual considering the project or product.
The purpose and content of this video is to provide general information regarding the products and their applications as presented in the video. Aquatic sales solutions, inc. And its officers, directors, employees and agents disclaim all express or implied warranties, in any way, related to the products and their application as presented in this video, make no representation or warranty regarding the products and the application as presented in this video and shall not be liable for any direct or indirect losses or damages of any type, including but not limited to punitive damages, or from personal injury or death resulting from or in any manner related to the video, and the products in and contents of the video. The viewer expressly agrees that aquatic sales solutions, inc. And its officers, directors, employees and agents shall not be liable for any damages or losses related to the products in and content of the video and hereby agrees to hold the foregoing harmless from any such losses or damages. 
Животные
The entire 5-Minute Guide to UV Sterilizers:
➡ brs.li/5Minute_UV_Guide
Get the right UV Sterilizer tool for the right job!
➡ A UV Sterilizer for any tank size! : brs.li/BRS_UV_Sterilizers
I've found a completely submersible lamp with timer setting what's your input on this kind of u.v sterilizer
This left me more confused then helpful about UV.
I can definitely see how that can happen, but if you have time I would highly suggest watching the full UV playlist from the begging to piece together some of those questions.
Excellent video! Very useful for us! Thanks!!
After days of searching, this was by far the single most educational segment on UV I have found. Nice job and thank you. If I am correct, I have a 90 gallon with a 406 and a 407. I planned on hooking up a Coralife 36 watt 12x up sterilizer for parasites. I believe I will need a pump and not go inline due to the 406 GPH being well above 290 gph. Now I need to research pumps. Thanks again.
I didn't think it was important to position the UV unit vertically instead of horizontally... Because I pushed the water from the aquarium through the UV sterilizer via the canister filter, I didn't think it was important how the UV Unit was positioned / mounted. Mine was positioned Horizontally inside the Cabinet. The FLUVAL 401 was responsible for passing the water through the UV sterilizer chamber in hopes that it provided adequate cleansing... I was anything but correct! This video definitely a gods blessing! Thanks for the video!!
I'm about to do this and was going to feed back into the sump. Wanna make sure I do it the right way, any thoughts?
Can we do inline plumping using a DC pump (keeping pump close to floor ) while taking water through a PVC plumping DIRECTLY FROM the display tank (FROM TOP, not a typical closed loop) ?
Can I run another pump in the return section with the output back into the return section ? How would a second return pump work ?
What is the difference between those vs those metalic on the RO water systems?
I appreciate your video but I am not certain how to ideally plumb my UV return into my RedSea 350. It pulls off the return line, but returns the flow into the sump front end. However I am not having problems, so I'm not sure it is an issue. It shares a circuit with my chiller.
Where can I get the housing that you used
I'm assuming if you are using a manifold in your sump this should go in the return line after all of the other connections on your manifold.
I just got a 57 watt uv sterilizer and my 1" flow sensor max rate is 100gph. It's 3/4" to 1"semsor to 3/4" input to uv using a sicce.sdc 3.0 pump. Very confusing
What's your feeling on plumbing it with its own pump, having the intake for the UV in the drain section and output into the return pump chamber? Decent compromise?
At face value, this seems logical and processes the same amount of water but I would be less confident 99.99% of the water passes through the sterilizer at the same turnover. It also leaves room for pockets of parasites or pest organisms to settle out and bypass the filter. Pumped into a return pump you can control the turn over more confidently and 100% of the water/pests entering the sump has to pass through the UV to get back to the tank.
Do we need to adjust down for smaller tank volumes or maintain the same flow rate for smaller tanks.
You'll want to maintain the suggested flow rate for your UV sterilizer regardless of display tank size.
So I've been looking into installing uv on my 90 gallon. And I want to make sure I get all or most of the water through it. But it's only got one return hole. What's the best way to plumb a uv in that situation? Just get one big enough for the return pump flow rate? Thanks alot for all the helpful videos! Making my second reef tank alot easier to setup!
Exactly right. If you only have one return and want to install the UV on the return line, you'll just have to determine what flow rate you want, then buy the UV that is rated for that particular flow rate. If you're going for algae/bacteria flow rates, you probably won't have to oversize it much, if any. If you're aiming for protozoa flow rates, then you'll almost certainly have to oversize it.
On one of my all in one nano tanks,flow is off the return side chamber,to the chiller (Chill Solutions nano) to a 9watt UV,using a ball valve to slightly restrict the flow.
Returns into opposite end of the return chamber directly above the return pump.
Q: Is this a sound system or no?
My main concern is parasite prevention.
Sometimes you just have to do the best you can and AIO designs only allow for so much. This looks acceptable.
Is a uv specifically the 9 watt uv hang in light for AIO tanks worth it. I have a 24 gallon and am curious about it. Is there enough size of light to do the job? Is tank turnover for optimal results even capable? I bought a mighty jet dc so i have a somewhat reference of what it is turning over.
I guess it depends on the brand and how it is plumbed. If a reputable brand UV says that provides an adequate dose of UV and tank turn over rate I would trust the value.
Hello, let me start by telling you i am a beginner in this awesome hobby and u have become my master 😂😂🙌 now i have a question i have a 75 gallon I bought the 15 Barr hangover aqua uv sterilizer and also bought a pump and tubing but i have no idea what tube goes we’re and my biggest question is do I put the pump behind the tank like on the floor or does the pump goes inside the water. Thank you
You'll want to check to make sure the pump you've purchased is a submersible pump. Usually the pump goes into the water, pumps the water to the barb fitting on the bottom of the sterilizer, then comes out of the "nozzle" back into the aquarium.
Hi BRS,
how often do you recommand to change the lamp in the UV when using 24/7 in marine tank?
Every 12 months is usually a good rule of thumb. (Pentair rates their bulbs good for 13)
HELP...Bought my pentair 40 watt almost s month ago and been waiting for this video, but already installed it vertically. out from return chamber back to return chamber using identical dc pump as my return pump. Uv Flow rate matches my return pump rate... So should i just make my uv be my return pump into the display?
It is both ok and common to use the return pump for flow through the UV. just make sure the flow rate matches both needs.
what about UV from the tank to the sump? will this be different? i hear this has a different outcome and need to watch speeds from the pumps is this true?
Technically it should provide a similar benefit so long as you have a way of consistently regulating the flow rate.
What about the type that sit in the sump and arent plumbed? i have 2 10 watts in my 36 gallons sump and nothing seems to be improving! I am not sure if what I have is even dinos. Its really only on my glass the most and thats the only area I see bubbles. A matt of something is appearing on my glass and has bubbles stuck on it! What the heck could it be? I have tried chemiclean with no results several times. I did have stuff on rocks and sand at one point but after blowing the rocks and sand it is gone. It happened before and I thought I got rid of it so ordered a bunch of new corals like an idiot and now its back! I am to scared to do any harsh treatments because I have so many new expensive frags! I am also dosing mb7 and vibrant ever day now. alternating each one! I have had some corals die recently, but for a long time prior to buying new ones none had died and funny thing is my older coral's and not the new ones have died. I did have some salinty ups and downs when I dint relaize that my salinity probe wasnt calibrated right and was also adding in a bit more rodi. It happend 2 x's that its dropped down to 1023 and I brought it up slowly then 2 weeks later I checked it again and back to 1023 so brought it back up slowly. My 2 duncans bit the dust and I had one for a long time. I had another duncan die before from salinty so maybe they are more sensitive to that then other corals. I did notice my calcium was down to 510 before a water change. Could that be the problem? I wish hubby would hook up one of these types but he is so busy I doubt if I could get him to do it! Thats why I settled for the in sump aio type LOL
Question about doing a true closed loop for the UV. Flow rate, distance from UV bulb to inner wall of sterilizer and turbidity all effect dose of UV to the water. If the water haha the chance to be mechanically prefiltered then it would allow for better UV penetration due to less suspended particulates. Do you think the benefits of the inflow coming directly from the display put weigh this?
There may be a theoretical benefit here but not likely one that will significantly affect results. A reef tank is a closed-loop system where the water is being filtered dozens to hundreds of times a day so the prefilter concept holds less value. For instance, adding carbon will dramatically increase clarity and UV transmittance. However, once the clarity has been achieved it will just maintain the clarity of the water. The water clarity before and after the carbon will not be remarkably different. It might be more important on a pond where fish are constantly stirring up mud.
Well Ryan and Team!!! After some careful thought I did it. This evening plumbed my 110 UV into the closed loop on my peninsula! Thanks gang!!
Evaluating the cost/benefit here. I only plan to use a UV if I get dinos. I can't run off my return/manifold. So, best to use a pump in the sump, shoot water through a UV, and then send a water line directly to the DT? Sound reasonable? I like the safety of sump-to-sump but it sounds less than ideal. Thx
We did something like this on the 750XXL when we ran into bacteria and dino issues. We simply put a pump in the DT plumbed it with soft tubing down to a large UV on the ground and back up to the DT. This worked for temporary uses, but after feeling the need to throw it back on 2-3 times to help resolve issues we wound up just putting it in permanently.
I have a COR-15. Is it possible to run ONE UV sterilizer on TWO different Flow rates at different times of the day to prevent Algae and protect the fish?
Yes! Actually, this is what Ryan will be doing for his new home tank build :)
What would an ideal setup look like if UV is plumbed to the sump? I have a 3 chamber sump - Fuge > skimmer > return. The UV pump is pulling from the fuge section and emptying into the skimmer section so it's not really skipping any filtration stages (aside from reduced time in the fuge) and isn't being re-processed. Anything wrong with this setup?
At face value, this seems logical and processes the same amount of water but I would be less confident 99.99% of the water passes through the sterilizer at the same turnover. It also leaves room for pockets of parasites or pest organisms to settle out and bypass the filter. Pumped into a return pump you can control the turn over more confidently and 100% of the water/pests entering the sump has to pass through the UV to get back to the tank.
@@BRStv Yes, there's still some flow that moves from the fuge to the skimmer section without passing through the UV - this seems impossible to avoid if the desired UV flow is lower than my tank turnover...
Have you yet experienced installing a UV Sterilizer in/on a Clear-for-Life Uniquarium? My 180g has two return pumps, would it be as simple as installing the UV in-line between one of the pumps and the return jet? Granted, it defeats the purpose of having a self enclosed system by pumping out of the in-tank sump, but unless I can submerge UV directly into the return chamber that houses the pumps, I haven't seen a way around it yet. Suggestions?
We've not used the Clear-for-Life Uniquarium here at BRS, but from what I can tell, this looks like an all-in-one type system. The Pentair and AquaUV sterilizers we stock cannot be submerged, so you're likely going to have to modify your tank to get this to work properly.
Where did you get the brackets to hold the UV from?
We carry them on our site!
Black : www.bulkreefsupply.com/uv-sterilizer-mounting-clamps-2-pack-black-niche3d.html
Orange : www.bulkreefsupply.com/uv-sterilizer-mounting-clamps-2-pack-orange-niche3d.html
UV sterilizer saved me from my dino outbreak. Never going to run without one again.
Us too
good choice!
I got a question. I have a reefer 250 and bought a oversized 25w uv with a ideal flow of 2500l about the same as suggested for return. What happens if i attach it next to my other return. Can the overflow handle it?
How did your install turn out? Looking to install one on my reefer 250.
You guys mentioned that you’d advise against plumbing a UV sterilizer “sumo to sump”. Why would plumbing the UV input from the skimmer chamber then have the UV output to the return chamber be inadvisable in your opinion?
Never mind, just saw the answer to this question further down in the comments. 😁
110gallon tank with a 18watt uv (aquamedic helimax)
Needs to have a how many gallons return pump ??
I'd check the aquamedic manual or contact them. There isn't a generic answer for all 18 watt UV's. The answer is specific to the design.
@@BRStv ok thaNk you for the reply !!
I run a seperate pump on my uv. The pump in in my skimmer chamber and the outlet goes to the return chamber. Is this ok?
At face value, this seems logical and processes the same amount of water but I would be less confident 99.99% of the water passes through the sterilizer at the same turnover. It also leaves room for pockets of parasites or pest organisms to settle out and bypass the filter. Pumped into a return pump you can control the turn over more confidently and 100% of the water/pests entering the sump has to pass through the UV to get back to the tank.
@@BRStv But if you have two return pumps, one of them is passing non-UV filtered water back into the tank. Could you have a seperate pump in the return chamber connected to the UV and then output of UV back into the return chamber??
Hi guys can you do a specific episode on how to attach a UV to the side of the tank and are those orange parts custom made or what ...thanks team
We actually have those UV Clamps on the site! All you do from there is route your plumbing and you're in business!
www.bulkreefsupply.com/uv-sterilizer-mounting-clamps-2-pack-orange-niche3d.html
www.bulkreefsupply.com/uv-sterilizer-mounting-clamps-2-pack-black-niche3d.html
Can I plumb a uv with the soft silicone tubing? I can see the tubing lit up pretty good at the connections. Just curious if this uv light spill is an issue. Will it degrade the tubing?
Silicone tubing isn't UV resistant, but it would take a very very long time for that small amount of light spill to impact the integrity of the tubing. In most cases, the tubing will still outlast the life of the sterilizer.
@@BRStv thank you!
Will uv help with n03 less water change? At all
unfortunately, UV won't have a noticeable impact on your tank's nitrates.
Can you use the UV pump as the return pump?
As long as the flow rate for the UV matches what you want the return flow rate to be, this is a great way to run it.
Some valid points. Other misleading information. Things that you might want to consider before constructing an elaborate system. Many of the companies selling UV units base their recommended flow rates (for a desired purpose) on single pass effectiveness. Most list different rates based on fresh or salt water (as they should) what seems to be lost is that for the most part these recommendations are based on drinking water. I suspect relatively few people are drinking the water that comes out of their aquarium UV sterilizer. The damage done to organisms exposed to UV light is cumulative. It is understandable that with the fast reproduction rates of some algae that you would want it killed or at least rendered unable to reproduce after the first pass through the sterilizer. As for everything else .... why does it matter if it’s rendered unable to reproduce on the second, third, fifth pass? Most aquariums are small not swimming pool sized closed systems. If you set your system up for algae control / eradication, you will be taking care of the bacterial and protozoa as well (just not on the first pass through the sterilizer)
Hi is there anyway I can directly message someone about my uv light?
Hey June,
Unfortunately RUclips doesn't have direct messaging, but feel free to shoot us an email or hop on a chat and we'd be happy to discuss UV sterilizers with you.
BRS Customer Service
Phone: 763-432-9691
Email: support@bulkreefsupply.com
Live Chat: BRS website
How is the 2 return pump with one UV light any different than say plumbing the UV from one section of the sump to the return section of the sump?
In both situations "pockets of parasites" could get through.
Not trying to be that guy just trying to understand how its different.
If you're pulling from the first chamber of the sump and dumping into the return, you're effectively bypassing the main filtration components of your sump with some of the water. By plumbing it to a return, 100% of the water still has to pass all the way through the sump and filtration.
@@BRStv I think you misunderstood his question.... that theory is right with one return pump, if you're running two return pumps some of the water is going through the uv back to the tank, then some of the water is going straight back to the tank without going through uv because its going through the other return line from the 2nd pump.... so if you're using this theory then surley its just as effective as a pump going from the start of the sump back into the return section... clarification on this would be great 👍
Hi guys, I have a V2 vecton 600 and I would like to run it on my aqua one 300 (80 us gallons), on the manufacturer manual it says that it's rated for tank up to 600lt / 160 it's gallons and a maximum flow rate of 1900lt / 505 us gallons, as I would like to run it mainly to prevent infections (I had a smaller tank literally wiped out by velvet in less than 2 days so now I feel a bit paranoid about it) what flow rate should I ran it? looking on Internet seems that the suggested flow rate should be around 5-8 us gph * w of uv so being this unit 25w between 125 and 160 us gph is that right? also would it be good to put the pump into the central weir? just thinking that my fishes may be a bit to skittish for a pump straight into the tank
That's a tough one because it's so dependent on the contact time, UV body length/size, bulb wattage, and more. My guess is that that flow rate is likely to avoid bacteria and algae spores, so you'll have to run a slower flow rate than that. Beyond that, it's going to be a little bit of a guessing game.
Well I thought I had my flow right, I purchased the 25w pantair from y’all. I have a reefer250. I basically halved the recommended flow rate on the chart provided. Is that correct? Thanks guys. Keep up the great vids.
The Pentair UV is simple in that they give you direct flow rate information on where to set it for your specific goal. As Ryan mentions, it's best to choose a specific job for what you are trying to achieve using a UV Sterilizer in which case you can choose a flow rate within these ranges for that 25W.
Algae & Bacteria Water Flow Rate - 472GPH/788GPH (Suggested*/Maximum)
Protozoa Bacteria Water Flow Rate - 79GPH/131GPH (Suggested*/Maximum)
Bulk Reef Supply understand that table. But that is for a 130 gallon. I have a 65gallon. I was asking if I would half the recommended flow rate since my tank is half the rated size for UV.
yes am curious as well if need to adjust down for smaller tank volumes or maintain the same flow rate for smaller tanks.
I might be crazy but I don't think you actually identified exactly how it should be installed??? I worry about feeding directly from tank because contaminants and particles could foul your lamp. I think feeding from return pump chamber with stand alone smaller pump then return directly to display would be the correct way. Do you agree?
I wonder on this too? This is how I'm planning on plumbing my aqua uv 57w
Hey bulk this question has nothing to do with this video but thought on commenting here since it’s the latest video you have, I have a tomato clown and want to buy him an anemone for him to house but I heard clowns only house the expensive anemones any tips on what kind of anemone I should purchase ? I’d really appreciate your help
Hey Axel! I've personally seen clownfish host all sorts of things! Even the clownfish in our BRS160 have been hosting a finger leather coral for a long time. I don't think the cost of the anemone is the determining factor for what they host. Bubbletips are usually the most common choice, but there are several others that reefers have had success with as well. We have the perfect resource for answers to questions like this where you can get some ideas from thousands of fellow reefers. Try checking out and asking questions on our #AskBRStv Facebook Group or even Reef2Reef.com in the links below. :)
➡ #AskBRStv Facebook Group : brs.li/AskBRStv_Facebook
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Thanks bulk will join your Facebook group for some Info, bought some cheap anemone and couple people had told me that the type of anemone I had stung to hard for my clown to handle so that’s why I been trying to figure out what kind of anemone I should get will be reading more about the bubble tip
Hey bulk I sent a request for joining the group you have on Facebook with my new acc named Vegas Aquarium... can you have someone accept that acc plz.. oh and by the way I just bought an anemone today with a small tomato clown hosted it real quick my girlfriends idea was pretty smart and it worked... looking forward to showing you guys my tank on the fb group
But if you have 2 return pumps one which is plumbed into the Uv and one isn’t , this wouldn’t work since the one that isn’t connected to the Uv would return non uv water back into the tank.
The goal isn't to run 100% of the water through the UV sterilizer. The goal is to reduce the amount of water that is getting "refiltered" through the UV over and over again. By plumbing the UV from the sump to the tank, we're greatly reducing this efficiency loss.
Bulk Reef Supply is its best to just tee off one return pump ?