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UV Sterilizer - How to connect a pump with the sterilizer?

Alexander1312

Alexander1312

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I would like to temporarily run a UV to reduce the bacterial population in my tank. Since I will be unable to plump this into my setup, I need to run a 'portable' sterilizer. Unfortunately, the good sterilizer come without a pump so I have to connect one to it.

Does anyone run either of these models and has a blueprint of recommended pump and tubing I need to make this works?

lifegardaquatics.com

AquaStep Pro 25 Watt UV Sterilizer

AQUASTEP® Pro 25 Watt UV Sterilizer Eliminates the spread of disease causing micro-organisms in aquariums and for use inside pond filters or skimmers to kill free floating algae.AQUASTEP® Pro UV SterilizerSTEP UP TO LIFEGARD TECHNOLOGYINTERNAL STEP DESIGN Directs water back and forth across UV...
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lifegardaquatics.com

QL-25 25 Watt UV Module

Description: 25 Watt Ultaviolet Sterilizer Modules QL SeriesAquarium, The radiation from ultraviolet light at 2537 angstroms provided inside the Lifegard Ultraviolet Sterilizer exerts a lethal effect on micro-organisms. UV light alters genetic material within the cells, which interrupts...
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I don’t have this one. But they are all similar. Water in the bottom. Water out the top. Easiest way would be to find the flow you need and buy a pump rated for the uv. Like a maxi jet 400. If you want to be fancy and have control then a small dc pump.
Plumbing would be pump barb to flex tube (HD hose ). To barb on UV.
Hang unit over the sump vertically and your done. Simple is good.
If you need help. Let me know.
 
If you don’t want something permanent why not get something like the Green Killing Machine:


The above is 24W and has a pump included. I have had two permanent UV sterilizers. From what I can tell the technology is pretty straightforward (ie, UV bulbs and sterilizers used in a variety of contexts). The primary difference in the various vendors is build quality. If non-permanent then build quality less of a concern. The only company I recall which claims some sort of tech innovation are the Vecton line which comes from Europe. That is what I use but it is permanently hooked up to a manifold run off a second return pump.
 
Turkeysammich said:
I don’t have this one. But they are all similar. Water in the bottom. Water out the top. Easiest way would be to find the flow you need and buy a pump rated for the uv. Like a maxi jet 400. If you want to be fancy and have control then a small dc pump.
Plumbing would be pump barb to flex tube (HD hose ). To barb on UV.
Hang unit over the sump vertically and your done. Simple is good.
If you need help. Let me know.
Click to expand...
Thank you! Will reach out to you after I tried the simpler way. I literally do not know which hose size etc, so will need to know what I exactly need in terms of hose sizes. This is an area I continue to struggle with and therefore avoid it mostly.
 
Darkxerox said:
I've got a bunch of little pumps you can have if you happen to be down here ever too (there's a really good German deli called Dittmer's nearby too, although not nearly as many vegetarian options!)
Click to expand...
Thank you, much appreciated! We are down there quite frequently :). After becoming a vegetarian, my diet includes only one German dish :). The rest of my diet is a mix of 90% Asian and 10% all other.
 
Slingfox said:
If you don’t want something permanent why not get something like the Green Killing Machine:


The above is 24W and has a pump included. I have had two permanent UV sterilizers. From what I can tell the technology is pretty straightforward (ie, UV bulbs and sterilizers used in a variety of contexts). The primary difference in the various vendors is build quality. If non-permanent then build quality less of a concern. The only company I recall which claims some sort of tech innovation are the Vecton line which comes from Europe. That is what I use but it is permanently hooked up to a manifold run off a second return pump.
Click to expand...
This is a great recommendation, since I am not trying to run UV permanently. I was not aware that there is an AIO device with a 24 watts bulb. Will try this for now and if effective, will go for something with a better quality. Thanks again!
 
Alexander1312 said:
This is a great recommendation, since I am not trying to run UV permanently. I was not aware that there is an AIO device with a 24 watts bulb. Will try this for now and if effective, will go for something with a better quality. Thanks again!
Click to expand...
Green killing machines work great for temporary use as I've used them in the past for a quick fix. but I've also heard they aren't salt water safe and have metal components inside of them that rust. I have yet to get a chance to open one up to confirm. I've also used the in tank Aqua Top UV sterilizer with good results but they are big and bulky so you need quite a decent space in the sump to fit then.
 
Theirs been studies that running the UV in the display tank vs sump works better! like with a closed loop.. But no one really does this mines plumbed right after my return pump..I also have used the largest wattage Green Killing machine which does work temporarily just you need to keep cleaning the small filter sponge or just take it out!
 
Alexander1312 said:
Thank you! Will reach out to you after I tried the simpler way. I literally do not know which hose size etc, so will need to know what I exactly need in terms of hose sizes. This is an area I continue to struggle with and therefore avoid it mostly.
Click to expand...
Buy the unit. The threaded connections are either 1/2 or 3/4. Go to home depot when you know. Buy the mpt/barbed fittings. Buy the hose that fits the barbs. The end. It's pretty easy.


mpt = male pipe thread
 
Srt4eric said:
Buy the unit. The threaded connections are either 1/2 or 3/4. Go to home depot when you know. Buy the mpt/barbed fittings. Buy the hose that fits the barbs. The end. It's pretty easy.


mpt = male pipe thread
Click to expand...
You lost me at MPT haha :). Sadly, it is not a joke. Plumbing is one of humans' greatest mysteries to me.
 
Alexander1312 said:
You lost me at MPT haha :). Sadly, it is not a joke. Plumbing is one of humans' greatest mysteries to me.
Click to expand...
It’s like connecting your return pump to the internal plumbing of your aquarium - in this case to the UV and then something plumbed out to the system
 

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Arvin R said:
Green killing machines work great for temporary use as I've used them in the past for a quick fix. but I've also heard they aren't salt water safe and have metal components inside of them that rust. I have yet to get a chance to open one up to confirm. I've also used the in tank Aqua Top UV sterilizer with good results but they are big and bulky so you need quite a decent space in the sump to fit then.
Click to expand...
Thanks for letting me know. I have just got it and it does look like one of the cheaper devices, so no surprise about the rust comment.

Upon further research, the rust concerns originate from the impeller of the detacheable and replacable pump after approx 2 years, so I can live with this design flaw.

 
Quick feedback on this device I purchased from PETCO today:

In a nutshell - it is terrible. Cheap quality overall as expected. Mounting options are pretty bad and the lower part floats upwards despite all attempts to push any air out that might be trapped in it.

On the plus side - it works out of the box.

Will need to get a proper device now.

IMG_2258.jpeg
 
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