Bloo
~ I learn something new ~ ~~~~ every day ~~~~
This would be for my non-planted tank. Well it has lush Amazon Swords in, but that's really it 
Uv Ster
- Thread starter nicklfire
- Start date
Hi everyone ,
Just thought i could help out a little here . I have kept koi for 10yrs and had to get a uv fitted onto my system and when i done research on the matter the main concern is contact time . You should be looking for the longest contact time between the particles of algae or spores of bacteria with the bulb , so in theory the slower the flow rate through the unit the more efficient the uv unit becomes . I havnt got one on my tank at the moment , but my mate has a vectron unit and its the buisness he says . Gf225 does have a valid point about the uv rendering nutrients useless though and i think you should consider this . Another gadget that i have fitted to my pond is an algae electro magnet . What this is is a long wire which you wrap around a water feed pipe back to the pond , which is then conected to a small unit which pulses an electric current through the wire which affects the balance of the pond . The algae then doesnt know whats going on and then slowly dies off . This unit is very good for blanket weed , which is an absolute nightmare to get rid of . Before i fitted this unit i had strands upto 4ft long in the pond , but now its kept down to roughly 1cm . I was thinking of fitting one of these units to my tank but dont know if it would be to strong and have the same effect on the plants
, but its food for thought right 
Hope this helps a little bloozoo2
Just thought i could help out a little here . I have kept koi for 10yrs and had to get a uv fitted onto my system and when i done research on the matter the main concern is contact time . You should be looking for the longest contact time between the particles of algae or spores of bacteria with the bulb , so in theory the slower the flow rate through the unit the more efficient the uv unit becomes . I havnt got one on my tank at the moment , but my mate has a vectron unit and its the buisness he says . Gf225 does have a valid point about the uv rendering nutrients useless though and i think you should consider this . Another gadget that i have fitted to my pond is an algae electro magnet . What this is is a long wire which you wrap around a water feed pipe back to the pond , which is then conected to a small unit which pulses an electric current through the wire which affects the balance of the pond . The algae then doesnt know whats going on and then slowly dies off . This unit is very good for blanket weed , which is an absolute nightmare to get rid of . Before i fitted this unit i had strands upto 4ft long in the pond , but now its kept down to roughly 1cm . I was thinking of fitting one of these units to my tank but dont know if it would be to strong and have the same effect on the plants
, but its food for thought right Hope this helps a little bloozoo2
Bloo
~ I learn something new ~ ~~~~ every day ~~~~
Thank YoYo, it really does help - Every little bit always helps
My concern about the flowrate relates to the fact that my output is already very gentle and very slow - so any slower would bring it to a dead stop. So my contact time I guess would be really good then
My concern about the flowrate relates to the fact that my output is already very gentle and very slow - so any slower would bring it to a dead stop. So my contact time I guess would be really good then
Yea bloozoo the contact time would be great , but what you also got to think about is the extra bends that the filter pump has to go around in the uv , which really saps power this would be my only concern . What would happen is that you would loose flow around your tank , but if you can get away with it and manage your pipe work to eliminate as many bends as possible then you wont go far wrong
To eleviate the problem would be to make the diameter of piping out of the uv back into the tank smaller than the rest of the system , this will put back pressure on the filter pump increasing the water speed ( think of it this way if you fitted your pump to a drain pipe the pressure the other end would be useless , but if you fitted it to a straw it would be strong . Not saying you should fit your uv to a straw
) The downside of this is the back pressure on the uv quartz sleeve and the pressure on the pump . I dont think the pressure would be strong enough to damage the uv , but it may have a shortening life on your filter , depending on how much pressure you put on the system . If i havnt confused you then i hope this helps .
To eleviate the problem would be to make the diameter of piping out of the uv back into the tank smaller than the rest of the system , this will put back pressure on the filter pump increasing the water speed ( think of it this way if you fitted your pump to a drain pipe the pressure the other end would be useless , but if you fitted it to a straw it would be strong . Not saying you should fit your uv to a straw
) The downside of this is the back pressure on the uv quartz sleeve and the pressure on the pump . I dont think the pressure would be strong enough to damage the uv , but it may have a shortening life on your filter , depending on how much pressure you put on the system . If i havnt confused you then i hope this helps .
Bloo
~ I learn something new ~ ~~~~ every day ~~~~
Nope no confusion - I get you Currently my pipework has no kinks or bends or hanging loops whatsover, but guess with the UV fitted things might change. Guess I'll just have to see what works best.
Our of interest (not that I'm ultra keen having another unit in my tank), but what about these ones :
Currently my pipework has no kinks or bends or hanging loops whatsover, but guess with the UV fitted things might change. Guess I'll just have to see what works best.Our of interest (not that I'm ultra keen having another unit in my tank), but what about these ones :
MoreCoffee
Fishaholic
Nope no confusion - I get you
Our of interest (not that I'm ultra keen having another unit in my tank), but what about these ones :
View attachment 35430
Thats the one I linked to in my earlier post. Been using it for about 3 weeks now without any problems, however I have nothing to compare it to !
I got it becuase its a nice compact portable unit and I wanted something that is quick and easy to move between tanks ..... and it was far cheaper that other units that I could find.
Mr G
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