UV Sterilizer Questions

[Troy2000]

From what I understand, a UV Sterilizer of about 35-40w would be needed for my 125 g. FOWLR tank. I am now thoroughly confused about what i should get. I have heard that bigger is better, slower gph is better, etc. Now I have a question about what I really need!

I see that the Coralife Turbo-Twist 6x will handle up to a 250 gallon aquarium. I have had Coralife products in the past and have had good luck with most of them. The problem is the UV bulb rating of the Turbo-Twist 6x is only 18w. That is below the normal recommended rating for my tank.

Does anyone have any experience or suggestions regarding this UV Sterilizer? Thanks for any input.

 

[rickburdeniuk]

Manufactures "rate" UV units for a lot of *very* different things using very different conditions such as perfectly clear water, new bulb etc... my posts here may help a bit:
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=840208

In general I think it's fair to say the 18W unit won't do much if anyting for parasites, of course there are other benefits to UV it may bring but in general that's very much undersized for a 125.

 

[Troy2000]

Thank you for the info. I believe you stated that you use an Emperor UV. I wonder if you have any knowledge of the Coralife Turbo-Twist units. The next unit up from the 6x is the 12x and is a 36 watt sterilizer. That is rated by the manufacturer for up to 500 gallons.

 

[Billybeau1]

The manufacturer says the 18watt is good up to 250 gallons. with a flow rate of 200-300gph.

I dont have this particular unit but dont see any reason why it would not be enough for your tank.

 

[elephen]

Those are way under rated. They are small intro-level units that are constructed cheaply. You get what you pay for

 

[Troy2000]

OK. I'm still confused. Elephen, I assume that you mean way Over Rated (in aquarium size). In reading about the Turbo-Twist units, I see that the exposure time of the water to the UV is much greater due to the design of the unit. Maybe this is just manufacturer hype, but it makes sense. At about 200-300 gph, which would be about the flowrate I would use, it is still below the maximum recommended flow rate. Or, maybe this flowrate is not enough for a 125 g.

 

[BreadmanMike]

JMO, but the 18 watt would be fine to use as a water clarifier on your 125 and not much useful for parasites. I wouldn't go with less then a 57 watt UV for parasite control. I say 57 watt, because it's only about $30 more then a 40 watt.

 

[Troy2000]

Thanks everyone for your input. I finally decided to go with a bit larger UV Sterilizer. Last night I bought a Gamma 40w. I think this should be fine for my system.

Thanks again.

Troy

 

[mitlik1]

Anyone had experience with the JEBO 11 Watt Aquarium Ultra violet UV Sterilizer? I have heard JEBO products are not as good (you get what your pay for), but the UV bulb is the same right? Just depends on the water flow. My tank is a 75 gallon.