Uv Sterilizer

[jacko32]

hi i have an external fx5 filter i want to add an internal filter with UV sterlizer would this uncycle my tank though ?

 

[mattlee]

no it wont uncycle your tank. a UV steraliser will remove water borne algae and parasites in the water but only if its set up at the right flow rate for the tank otherwise it will be pretty useless.....

 

[jacko32]

no it wont uncycle your tank. a UV steraliser will remove water borne algae and parasites in the water but only if its set up at the right flow rate for the tank otherwise it will be pretty useless.....

so how many lph do you need it set at for a 400l tank ?

 

[OldMan47]

If you believe the plant people, you need at least 2000 lph on a 400 litre tank. I have never agreed with that but many people do. Instead I look for a nice large filter media canister. On a tank that big, I would want something that would hold about 4 or 5 litres of biological media.
The UV is a different matter entirely. In that case, lower flows mean better exposure time for the UV rays to work. Depending on what you want to do with the UV, you can use far different UV sterilizers and far different flow rates. Controlling something simple like green water algae means you can have high flows and low UV wattage. Controlling disease organisms means far lower flows and higher UV wattage.

 

[jacko32]

If you believe the plant people, you need at least 2000 lph on a 400 litre tank. I have never agreed with that but many people do. Instead I look for a nice large filter media canister. On a tank that big, I would want something that would hold about 4 or 5 litres of biological media.
The UV is a different matter entirely. In that case, lower flows mean better exposure time for the UV rays to work. Depending on what you want to do with the UV, you can use far different UV sterilizers and far different flow rates. Controlling something simple like green water algae means you can have high flows and low UV wattage. Controlling disease organisms means far lower flows and higher UV wattage.

hi oldman47 i have been advised by a trusted breeder that i could clear up a bacteria bloom that is clouding the water if i add a uv sterilizer i dont want to cut the pipes on my fx5 to fit an inline unit so i would prefer to add an internal filter with one on i have seen 2,one has a 1850lph and the other is 800lph would the 800 be ok as i dont really require it for turn over and filtration as i have the fx5

 

[raptorrex]

hi oldman47 i have been advised by a trusted breeder that i could clear up a bacteria bloom that is clouding the water if i add a uv sterilizer i dont want to cut the pipes on my fx5 to fit an inline unit so i would prefer to add an internal filter with one on i have seen 2,one has a 1850lph and the other is 800lph would the 800 be ok as i dont really require it for turn over and filtration as i have the fx5

good job too, most/all uv units will not fit the none standard pipes of the fx5. flow is less of a problem with a separate uv unit. dwell time, the amount of time the water is in contact with the UV, is what you need here. look for something in the 30/40 watt range. the flow rate will be matched to the bulb power and, should be, right.

 

[jacko32]

got a couple of options
http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=310208818694&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT#ht_2941wt_911
http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290452663722&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT#ht_3569wt_989

 

[raptorrex]

got a couple of options
http/cgi.ebay.co.u...T#ht_2941wt_911
http/cgi.ebay.co.u...T#ht_3569wt_989

as far as i understand it. they are both too low power. as i said, something in the 30-40watt range.

 

[jacko32]

got a couple of options
http/cgi.ebay.co.u...T#ht_2941wt_911
http/cgi.ebay.co.u...T#ht_3569wt_989

as far as i understand it. they are both too low power. as i said, something in the 30-40watt range.

not much i can do then really if i cant get 1 that fits the fx5

 

[mattlee]

a bacterial bloom will clear itself with water changes and time so i wouldnt bother with a UV just for that reason

 

[T1KARMANN]

i wouldn't run a tank without a UV they are great

what you can do is change the rubbish flexi pipe that comes with the fx5 to eheim hose its much better

on the fx5 you will need a 30w UV

as all ready said its all about flow rate to fast and it wont do anything to slow and it will boil the water

i think the type you put in the tank are rubbish to tell the truth very slow flow rate and a very low wattage

cutting the pipes is easy this is mine

 

[jacko32]

i wouldn't run a tank without a UV they are great

what you can do is change the rubbish flexi pipe that comes with the fx5 to eheim hose its much better

on the fx5 you will need a 30w UV

as all ready said its all about flow rate to fast and it wont do anything to slow and it will boil the water

i think the type you put in the tank are rubbish to tell the truth very slow flow rate and a very low wattage

cutting the pipes is easy this is mine

will the eheim pipes fit the fx5 ?

 

[T1KARMANN]

i have not done it my self but anything can be done if you put your mind to it

if it was me i would buy 2 x 25w as the 30w is a very big unit and you may have problems getting it under the cab

i used to run 2 x 25w on a 2080 which has a slower flow rate than a fx5 with no problems

 

[jacko32]

i have not done it my self but anything can be done if you put your mind to it

if it was me i would buy 2 x 25w as the 30w is a very big unit and you may have problems getting it under the cab

i used to run 2 x 25w on a 2080 which has a slower flow rate than a fx5 with no problems

i will have to look into weather the pipes will fit as the fx5 is 25mm bore as for the 30w i have an open box steal frame so space underneath isnt a problem if i can get the eheim pipes to fit i could get an eheim spray bar aswell added bonus

 

[T1KARMANN]

i think you will need the large eheim hose 25-32mm

its not the size of hose thats the problem its that flexi pipe that the FX5 uses cant be fixed to anything that well