UV sterilizer

[gmiller]

If you have a 170 gallon system, what size UV sterilizer do you need? What should the flow rate be

[downhill_biker]

If you have a 170 gallon system' date=' what size UV sterilizer do you need? What should the flow rate be[/quote']

 

The bigger you go the more flow you can have going through it with a single pass efficiency kill rate. I use a 36w sterilizer on my 72 bowfront. I run the water through it at about 300-350GPH. The single pass kill efficiency has to do with contact time and wattage. For example: the twist sterilizers can utilize a lower wattage and still get a high single pass efficiency because they increase the contact time by having the water flow around the bulb over and over again. My sterilizer is a strait tube. Longer, narrower tubes increase the intensity, and wider tubes increase contact time as well. It is not recommended to ever go over a 3" diameter, because the effectiveness is lost through the water.

 

Now for a system of your size, I would recommend, GASP, a 36w. You can run it at the same rate, and still get a single pass efficiency that is high. Doesn't matter the size of the tank the efficiency is still high. So at 350GPH, your tank will cycle through the UV once every half hour. Run it 24/7 and you should be ok. If you really feel the need, you can buy a larger unit, and put more flow through it, but I see no reason.

 

I personally, am on a tight budget, so bought an odyssea sterilizer from aquatraders.com. It was ok, one of the fittings broke, and I went to Home Depot and bought a couple hose clamps, problem solved.