Does anlyone feed their UV directly from overflow without a pump?

[wpbfishguy]

I am looking to eliminate the Mag 7 that I use to feed my UV sterilizer and was thinking about replumbing one of my drains to feed directly into the UV. I am wondering if anyone has done this and if it would be worth my time or should I just buy a lower wattage pump to replace my mag7 and call it a day. Thanks

 

[BreadmanMike]

I have been thinking about doing this myself, since my sump is in the basement.

Depending on the UV you're using, I don't see why this wouldn't work as long as you get the water volume through it that is needed.

 

[JimW]

I have done this before. It works just like feeding phosban reactor, assuming you provide the appropriate flow rate for the device being fed from the overflow.

Jim

 

[wpbfishguy]

For those of you that have done this did you "T" off your drain line or did you dedicate the drain to flow entirely into the UV. I have a 40w that has 3/4" input/output and I could convert my plumbing on one of my drains to a 3/4" barb fitting and run it into the UV via flexible tubing. Any concerns with the amount of flow the drain could handle running through 3/4" tubing? I run a mag 9.5 as a return pump on my 210 with dual overflows so I don't think the tank overflowing will be a problem. Any plumbing opinions?

 

[BreadmanMike]

You will want to put more flow through the UV then what you will be getting from one overflow. I'm guessing you need about 700gph to go through that UV for it to function to it's capabilities.

 

[sjm817]

You usually want a low flow through a UV to maximize exposure time depending on what you are trying to kill.

 

[JimW]

I fed mine from below a T in the drain line with a valve to adjust rate to
the uv. The T just returns any excess flow to sump. No way to overflow
tank if setup this way.

Jim

 

[wpbfishguy]

I think I will replumb my tank so that both drains go into a single 2" PVC pipe and then T that off to my UV and let the excess go straight into the sump. Thanks for your help guys

 

[OO7]

I plan to do this on my tank once its up and running . . . . I also think that the slower the flow through the UV the better . . . . more exposure time.

 

[sjm817]

Besides slow flow, you dont want "dirty water" through the UV. It should be prefiltered. I think you would be better of with it on the return side or use a small pump like a maxijet to run it.

 

[Jim_S]

I agree with sjm.

The best water to feed your UV is clean, filterd water. Water from your overflow will definetly hinder the UV's capabilities over the long haul.

Jim

 

[wpbfishguy]

so I may do better by getting a larger return pump and and tying my UV into my return and creating a third return to let the UV filtered water to return to my tank or should I let it flow back into the sump?

 

[5.0stang]

Sounds like you got the UV i got Pentar QL-40W? i run a Mag 9.5 for return and USED to use a Rio 2100 to feed the UV. I got a new HOB overflowbox with 2 3/4 bulkheads so i just used one for the UV the other i T'd off the other bulkhead for fuge and sump. I noticed a lot more pods due to the fact I dont have the Rio 2100 feeding the UV from the sump. O yea i put a sponge filter in the overflow box the same one i used on the Rio 2100.