LF: UV Sterilizers
- Thread starter asmodyus
- Start date
LiquidCache
New member
24 watt uv is for approx 350 gallon. Are you attempting to use one to treat ich? It will not work.
asmodyus
New member
No more like help the fish manage it, I Know it will not get rid ICH of it but everything I read was with a UV sterilizer and weekly water changes I can help the fish manage it. Until I can afford a 55 gallon QT tank.
Oh I saw this unit http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=28963 and it said up to 120 that why I thought 24 watt.
rogergolf66
im an addict lol
I have one but it's a high end model brand new so I don't think the price will be what u r looking for
ichthyman
Active member
Cheap and effective UV sterilization does not currently co-exist. Either you're delivering a radiation dose at a total tank volume turnover high enough to disruption the target organism(s) life cycle OR you are not. There is no in between. The science behind UV's is very well understood but for some reason aquarium hobbyists insist upon not reviewing the available data, making correct choices and then bad mouth the concept when the process doesn't work. Save your money unless you find someone willing to part with either a 3" to 4" diameter unit with a new non-PC lamp of at least 25watts - 40w preferred. If you find such a beast call me and I'll calculate the correct flow rate for you to disrupt the life cycle of Cryptocaryon/Oödinium.
BTW, the info on the good Doctor's site is rubbish unless your target organism is floating single cell algae.
BTW, the info on the good Doctor's site is rubbish unless your target organism is floating single cell algae.
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rogergolf66
im an addict lol
Mine is the aqua 25 watt. Would be the bottom end watt wise john recommends and the pipe is not 3-4inches my guess is 2inch
ichthyman
Active member
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rogergolf66
im an addict lol
Yes
MJNTWise
7 Year Newbie
Is it worth having one? Should I put it in my wish list? For the upgrade?
CREATIVE AQ TMP
New member
Most research suggest you need 280,000 uWs/cm2 of UVC radation to kill Cryptocaryon on a single pass. Emperor Aquatics suggest 180,000 and Aqua UV suggests 90,000 for general parasite control. It seems that even UV companies can't get it right. Why? Because to truly kill parasites in an aquarium, UVs become expansive. But you can not ignore the science. Note, most aquarium UV are nothing but a purple lit toys when it comes to parasite control and most recommend flow rates much to fast for any effective parasite control. No turbo or twist will do what the box claims it will do to ick.
AquariumNut
New member
I use a chinese uv sterilizer . Cant remember the price was under $50 killed my bacterial bloom in a few hours
CREATIVE AQ TMP
New member
Bacteria and algae are easy to kill with UVC, usually 15,000-30,000 uWs?cm2 will do.
But parasites much tougher.
"Use of ultraviolet (UV) sterilization to kill theronts has been suggested, based on research involving Ichthyophthirius multifiliis (freshwater "ich"). The recommended UV dose for Ichthyophthirius theronts is 100,000 µWsec/cm2 (Hoffman 1974). However, UV doses required for Cryptocaryon irritans are anecdotal or extrapolated, and range from 280,000 µWsec/cm2 (industry numbers) to 800,000 µWsec/cm2 (Colorni and Burgess 1997)."
But parasites much tougher.
"Use of ultraviolet (UV) sterilization to kill theronts has been suggested, based on research involving Ichthyophthirius multifiliis (freshwater "ich"). The recommended UV dose for Ichthyophthirius theronts is 100,000 µWsec/cm2 (Hoffman 1974). However, UV doses required for Cryptocaryon irritans are anecdotal or extrapolated, and range from 280,000 µWsec/cm2 (industry numbers) to 800,000 µWsec/cm2 (Colorni and Burgess 1997)."
sirrealism
New member
Ok so the turbo twist is not a good unit and I am understanding this correctly I think. But I have an idea and please if i am way off then fine I can take it. I have 2 36w turbo twists Junk I know but I didnt buy them. So If i took and connected them together and ran flow through them very slow. Say 50-100 gph would that work or does it just not matter how slow the flow is. I admit I have not done my research on this and really never thought about doing it anyway but since the topic is on the table I felt inclined to ask.
LiquidCache
New member
ichthyman
Active member
The entire "turbo twist" design is a farce. PC UV lamps produce the lowest, not by a little but a lot, amount of usable UV energy per watt consumed. In order to calculate whether disruption of a target organism's life cycle is possible, you would need to know dwell time within the unit, transmission % of separating sleeve (if used - hopefully so in aquarium use) and the amount of usable UV energy produced by the lamp(s). Once obtained then an accurate zap dosage can be calculated and that will tell you if the target will be affected. I'm not familiar with all of the re-branded "turbo-twist" units available, however none that I've seen to date have include any of the aforementioned information.
Sorry, answering that could be construed by some as a commercial post because of my profession. RC's user agreement is rather clear regarding such posts.
Goggle is a wonderful tool. Look for a manufacturer that can give you answers to the questions above AND can backup their calculations with references to peer-reviewed scientific journals/literature/documents.
Sorry, answering that could be construed by some as a commercial post because of my profession. RC's user agreement is rather clear regarding such posts.
Goggle is a wonderful tool. Look for a manufacturer that can give you answers to the questions above AND can backup their calculations with references to peer-reviewed scientific journals/literature/documents.
CREATIVE AQ TMP
New member
In my opinion I would rather run the two turbos separate from each other at the flow rates you mentioned. If they are together, you may not be turning your tank over enough and parasites may reproduce faster then are being killed.
I think a look at the two company websites speak for themselves.
Here you won't find a lick of scientific data or test results. Nor will you find independent tests supporting this product to kill anything but algae and bacteria. An internet search will confirm this.
http://www.coralifeproducts.com/product/ultraviolet-sterilizers/
Now look at the data from one of the top UV sterilizer manufacturers. An internet search will also confirm the quality of this company's products.
http://www.emperoraquatics-aquarium.com/uv_sterilization.php
But, in my amateur phase of this hobby I fell victim to the "twist marketing" and now own a useless purple light that traps air in the chamber... But don't tell the folks on Craigslist I said that. Lol.
Here you won't find a lick of scientific data or test results. Nor will you find independent tests supporting this product to kill anything but algae and bacteria. An internet search will confirm this.
http://www.coralifeproducts.com/product/ultraviolet-sterilizers/
Now look at the data from one of the top UV sterilizer manufacturers. An internet search will also confirm the quality of this company's products.
http://www.emperoraquatics-aquarium.com/uv_sterilization.php
But, in my amateur phase of this hobby I fell victim to the "twist marketing" and now own a useless purple light that traps air in the chamber... But don't tell the folks on Craigslist I said that. Lol.
gambitcobra
New member
I had this issue many years ago and Faois was able to help me out with a Emperor Aquatics Smart UV. It was a monster and the guys were able to help me dial in the flow for the best results.
