UV in breeding systems

A

aomont

New member
How many of you use it in your system (broodstock, larval or grow-out) ? Could you mention size (UV x system volume) and flow ?

Who doesn´t use it and why ?

I´m too confused reading about it and trying decide to add or not and, if so, to scale it up to my future system. Any info would welcome !
Anderson.
 
If I was running systems, they'd all have UV's in-line on the returns with good mechanical filtration ahead of the UV. Seeing as how all my tanks are standalone, only 1 of my 4 broodstock tanks has a UV, and surprisingly it's the same tank with the most disease problems (but also the most fish per gallon as well)

Matt
 
Kathy and Matt what wattage and flow do you use in it ? And what is the total water volume you´re treating ?
Also how did you chose your UV, any science in it or just followed manufactors guidelines ?

I´m planning three different systems but they will be done and filled as needed so I´m trying to figure how to start and what will be the "maximum" UV used and leave room to it.

Thanks again and a happy new year to you all,
Anderson.
 
I am no expert, but I have a 40 watt rainbow lifeguard on my grow out. It started out as a 90 gallon system, but now is about 160 gallons, since I installed a larger sump. It works great, with no algae accumulation after almost a year. It may be a bit large, but I got it second hand, for a good price. Now that I've upped the volume, it is probably just right for the system.

I am adding a smaller 25 watt of the same brand to the larvae system. This system will have less water and slower flow. About 100 gallons at max.
 
I have a DIY 3 footer, 28W methinks on my Main parent system and another one about to be installed on my most prolific broodstock system, I will eventually put them on all of my systems, just a matter of time (short supply) and money (even shorter supply). Anyone know of a cheap place to get these bulbs?
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8877204#post8877204 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Kathy55g
How did you do the DIY? I would love to save a hundred bucks!
Click to expand...
I actually bought them already made, but I'm sure there's more than one good thread in the DIY forum. Otherwise it's a handsaw, acouple of parts, a tape measure and some glue. I'll see what I can do about posting a pic.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8879032#post8879032 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mwp
FWIW, I've not found a UV that beats Rainbow Lifeguard...

MP
Click to expand...

I'm opposite. I haven't found a brand that doesn't beat Rainbow Lifeguard (well, Tetra :lol:). IMO TMC, Emperor and Aqua UV are all far better then RLG. I've used all in a commercial setting, and RLG performed the worst of all. They tend to break easily, and don't have that great of contact time. They also are energy hogs. HO units are the only way to go :)
 
High Output
WHen you get into the crazy-a**ed stuff that Gresh and Randy are into, or any of the commercial sized aquaculturists, HO units; alot of them running over a 1000W, are the norm.
 
That my friend is a tricky question, with no easy answer (unless you're good at math) Basically the longer the contact time with the bulb the better. You can do one of these:
calculate the surface area of the bulb
versus the actual volume of the reactor
divided by the flow rate through the unit
find some way to convert it all to a standard unit that makes sense and you should have an idea of the contact time.
See??
Easy
Then you take into consideration the colouration or cloudiness of your water and tally in any particulate matter present and use that as a factor of reducing the overall effectiveness of the waveforms themselves.

Who said this stuff was hard? :rolleyes:

There is actually formulae for this, Ive seen it, honest.

OH ya, I almost forgot, then you have to figure out how much water you have and how often you need to get all of it through the unit, keeping in mind that in a 100 gallon setup, you need to push ALOT more than 100 gallons through it to get all of it. (there's a formula for that too)
 
Hello all !

Thanks fof the responses. Dman, I do like maths but can´t find some information... Just read an old article on Aquarium Fish Magazine (Escobal) and am using it as a guide.
This article have information on 25, 30 and 64 watt GE UV-lamps.

Two systems (larvae and broodstock) would be 375g (maximum). I was aiming at 30.000 ZAP-dosage and I was thinking each one would have two 30 watt bulbs with total flow of 490gph, 7 hours ON 1 hour OFF.
The UV chamber would be DIY with 3" in diameter.

1) Couldn't find some information on other wattage like 28, 40 or 70-something so I could feed the equations and see if there would be other options.
2) Can´t find a DIY UV chamber thread yet.
3) Have no idea how I can control, and know exactly, the flow rate through it.
4) Don´t know if there would be any difference between putting bulbs in-line or in paralel but was thinking on the later best.

Any more input would be very welcome.

Anderson.
 
THIS is Escobal's book on aquaria engineering, decent read, actually more science than reading but worth it none the less if you want to start getting serious.

1)Covered in Escobal's book

2) I'm going to post some pics of my DIY UV chamber very soon (time factor)

3) Flow meter is pretty much the only way to do that.

4) Series would ensure longer contact time

Dman
 
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