uv for 300 help!!

[k9asia]

I am working out which unit to get for my 300 Reef, i will have somewhere around 400 total gallons and keep LPS and softies mostly. My ? is what size and flow rate. Done some looking and looks like Aqua Ultraviolet Classic 40 Watt w/wiper is good, maybe the 57 watt. Any better ones? They also have one with ozone built in. I asked the company and got a soso response. I like the idea of both uv as a steraliser and killer of Bacteria/protozo but the ozone as well. Not sure if the comp unit is what i think it is uv and ozone generator that i can conect to my skimmer?? Looking for your wise and expert opinions..

 

[billsreef]

The Aqua Ultraviolet's are decent units, however, I wouldn't bother with UV on a reef tank. The ozone on the other hand I would use

 

[jdieck]

If you go UV and Ozone I would make them separate units, You may want to use the Ozone continuously but the UV only when you have problems like algae, parasites of fungal infections.

The UV for a 400 gal system will be the 57 watt unit but do not count on it for controlling Inch, a UV for that would have to be very large and still does not gurantee ou will be ich free.

 

[k9asia]

Thanks,
what should the flow thru the uv be for best results/ I re-thought the combo unit and don't like the idea of it any more. the uv will be 24/7 for clarity and cut down on free floting algea (the kind the you get on you viewing panes) My 50 gal had a problem with this until i hooked up a 15watt U/v 24/7 and have never had a problem since. I was gleaning the panes every day and now only every third since the uv. Not sure about they flow for the 300? Ozone will be on a controller to help with ORP and the added benifite of killing any thing going through the skimmer that the U/V missed. I know some good stuff will get zapped or zoned as well but thats why my Refuge will overflow directy into the main display to by pass the "killing fields"

 

[jdieck]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12347114#post12347114 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by k9asia
Thanks,
what should the flow thru the uv be for best results..

The recommended flow for the AUV 40 watt is 967 gal per hour and for the 57 watt is 1066 gal per hour.

 

[k9asia]

Thanks JD, like i sadi i talkedto customer support at Au and he said 1800 gph and that sound way high...for the 40 watt.

 

[jdieck]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12349256#post12349256 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by k9asia
Thanks JD, like i sadi i talkedto customer support at Au and he said 1800 gph and that sound way high...for the 40 watt.

Basically the flow depends on what do you want to sterilize.

Sterilization begins at an exposure to 30,000 uw/cm2 of radiation, spres and protozoans may take around 50 to 60,000 uw/cm2 and some parasites will take 90,000 uw/cm2.
The flow I gave you is for an exposure (Usually for salt water) of 90,000 uw/cm2, at 1800 gph the exposure on the 57 watt unit will be around 56,000 uw/cm2 which is around the average for the unit.

Here is a list that can give you an idea of the amount of microwatts per sq cm needed to kill certain things:

http://www.aquaultraviolet.com/instructions/UVenergylevels.pdf

Here is a chart with the amount of exposure you can achieve for different units at different flows:
http://www.aquaultraviolet.com/instructions/ultravioletuvchart.pdf

 

[2006]

Check out aquatic systems engineering by pr escobol for flow rates and sizing.

I normally defend the use of UV for irradicating parasites but there should be an attempt to find the root cause first.

Maybe you just had a nutrient problem.

 

[Plato]

I run an aqua ultra 57 watt w/wiper on my 275. Aqua stats flow rate to contrl paricites at 3 to 5 times turn over % tank volume. I have it on a T4 velocity pump, i only run it whin I need it. Last year only two times. Both for Ich. The chiller caused the firs out bread the second was a fist timer, live brine shrimp. During both time as soon as I notice ich on my fish just a few spots I pluged up the pump the the uv left it for a moth. Great security.