Sanitizer recommendation

[redright28]

I am looking at purchasing a Level 1 sanitizer and have been researching the recommended units available at AAP.  A few questions....

Based on my tank parameters, which Level 1 sanitizer do you recommend?  I am looking at going with the Vecton 2: V2 200 8 Watt.

Although installation seems straightforward, I am concerned about performing the install on a "live" tank.  I'd like to keep the current hose connected to the canister disconnect valve and outlet wand.
Besides purchasing an additional hose.  Do you recommend anything else to help facilitate the installation?  Perhaps spare parts to have on hand?

Thanks,
Greg

TANK
90 gallon closed-system, w/ approx. 70 gallons of water.

Canister Filter
AquaTop UV500
Flow Rate - Approx. 220 gph
Turnove Rate - Approx 3.0-3.25 per hour

[devonjohnsgard]

Sept 13, 2017 12:37:26 GMT -5 redright28 said:

I am looking at purchasing a Level 1 sanitizer and have been researching the recommended units available at AAP.  A few questions....

Based on my tank parameters, which Level 1 sanitizer do you recommend?  I am looking at going with the Vecton 2: V2 200 8 Watt.

Although installation seems straightforward, I am concerned about performing the install on a "live" tank.  I'd like to keep the current hose connected to the canister disconnect valve and outlet wand.
Besides purchasing an additional hose.  Do you recommend anything else to help facilitate the installation?  Perhaps spare parts to have on hand?

Thanks,
Greg

TANK
90 gallon closed-system, w/ approx. 70 gallons of water.

Canister Filter
AquaTop UV500
Flow Rate - Approx. 220 gph
Turnove Rate - Approx 3.0-3.25 per hour

A 8 watt will be right on the max side of level one for that size tank. You would want flow closer to 64-96 gph flow to get the level one. The unit I would recommend is the 15 watt, but currently is out of stock. If you do the 25 watt, you could get level two sterilization at your current flow rate.

The install should be pretty straight forward with the canister you have.

[redright28]

I noticed the 25W version is only $13 more than the 15W version. Is there a reason why you would not recommend the 25W version if the 15W version was available? Will the 25W version provide true Level 2 sanitation given the flow and T/O rates I provided?

I need to re-read Carl's articles on UV sanitation to obtain a better understating on how things are rated and measured.

Thanks,
Greg

[devonjohnsgard]

Sept 13, 2017 18:56:15 GMT -5 redright28 said:

I noticed the 25W version is only $13 more than the 15W version. Is there a reason why you would not recommend the 25W version if the 15W version was available? Will the 25W version provide true Level 2 sanitation given the flow and T/O rates I provided?

I need to re-read Carl's articles on UV sanitation to obtain a better understating on how things are rated and measured.

Thanks,
Greg

There's no reason why I wouldn't recommend it. You would get level 2 and that's a great level of protection and really helps boost immunity.

[Carl]

Sept 14, 2017 11:57:26 GMT -5 devonjohnsgard said:

Sept 13, 2017 18:56:15 GMT -5 redright28 said:

I noticed the 25W version is only $13 more than the 15W version. Is there a reason why you would not recommend the 25W version if the 15W version was available? Will the 25W version provide true Level 2 sanitation given the flow and T/O rates I provided?

I need to re-read Carl's articles on UV sanitation to obtain a better understating on how things are rated and measured.

Thanks,
Greg

There's no reason why I wouldn't recommend it. You would get level 2 and that's a great level of protection and really helps boost immunity.

Yes, for $13 more you are getting a better yet UV Sterilizer and it certainly would not be "too much UV"

Carl

[redright28]

I spent quite a bit of time reading through the articles on UVC lighting and have a few questions.

1) Will the AquaTop UV 500 9W UV light provide Level 1 sanitation, or can I upgrade the bulb to get to Level 1?

I assume the UV is considered a category C light.  According to the attached, a max 15-20 watts per gallon and 1.5 times turn over rate would be required for Level 1 sanitation.

My 90 gallon tank has approximately 70 gallons of water (a few inches of space on top and gravel substrate equals about 70 gallons according to my measurement).
It puts out about 220 gph with a T/O rate of 3.

1.5 turn-over puts me at about 105 GPH.
Minimum wattage = 7 watts @ 15 watts per gallon would be required for Level 1 sanitation.

Are my calculations correct?  I'm thinking the design of the system plus the other items pointed out in the UV articles would cause the UV light to fall short of Level 1 sanitation.  Is this correct, and if so, is there a bulb I can use that would compensate for the canister's short comings?

2)Vecton 2 8W sanitizer seems like it would provide adequate Level 1 sanitation, but fall short of Level 2 sanitation.  Is this correct?

Category A sanitizer, rated at a max of 30 gph
1.5 times flow rate of 105 gph is well under max rate of 280 gph and comes in at 13.125 pgh (105/8)

Thanks,
Greg



Vecton 2: V2 200 8 Watt -$136.99 Jump to Shopping Cart

Max flow rate for level one Sterilization. 280 gph (maximum effectiveness- 35 gph/ 132 lph PER WATT).
Size- 13” L x 3” H x 5” W.
Recommended vinyl tubing size- 1/2", 5/8", 3/4", 1", or 1.25" ID.
Rated for up to a 60-100 gallon (378 liter) aquarium* for optimum level one effectiveness (smaller for level two), based on a water turnover rate of 1.5 times per hour or more through the Vecton UV at the recommended flow rate.

Vecton-6: V2 600 25 Watt -$179.99 Jump to Shopping Cart

Max flow rate for level one Sterilization. 750 gph (maximum effectiveness- 30 gph/ 114 lph PER WATT). Minimum flow 50-75 gph to prevent over heating.
Size- 20” L x 3” H x 5” W.
Recommended vinyl tubing size- 1/2", 5/8", 3/4", 1", or 1.25" ID.
Rated for up to a 180- 500 gallon (1892 liter) aquarium* for optimum level one effectiveness (smaller for level two), based on a water turnover rate of 1.5 times per hour or more through the Vecton UV at the recommended flow rate.
Please note this UV Sterilizer can work for most any size aquarium under the maximum as long as there is at least a reasonable flow (such as 50 gph or higher used on a 25 gallon aquarium), as it is difficult to have too large a UV Sterilizer

Attachments:

[devonjohnsgard]

Sept 18, 2017 13:40:15 GMT -5 redright28 said:

I spent quite a bit of time reading through the articles on UVC lighting and have a few questions.

1) Will the AquaTop UV 500 9W UV light provide Level 1 sanitation, or can I upgrade the bulb to get to Level 1?

I assume the UV is considered a category C light.  According to the attached, a max 15-20 watts per gallon and 1.5 times turn over rate would be required for Level 1 sanitation.

My 90 gallon tank has approximately 70 gallons of water (a few inches of space on top and gravel substrate equals about 70 gallons according to my measurement).
It puts out about 220 gph with a T/O rate of 3.

1.5 turn-over puts me at about 105 GPH.
Minimum wattage = 7 watts @ 15 watts per gallon would be required for Level 1 sanitation.

Are my calculations correct?  I'm thinking the design of the system plus the other items pointed out in the UV articles would cause the UV light to fall short of Level 1 sanitation.  Is this correct, and if so, is there a bulb I can use that would compensate for the canister's short comings?

2)Vecton 2 8W sanitizer seems like it would provide adequate Level 1 sanitation, but fall short of Level 2 sanitation.  Is this correct?

Category A sanitizer, rated at a max of 30 gph
1.5 times flow rate of 105 gph is well under max rate of 280 gph and comes in at 13.125 pgh (105/8)

Thanks,
Greg

There's no way for a canister UV to provide level one sterilization as the canister is just to large. Some water is close to the lamp and lots of water is much further from the lamp. I wouldn't call it even category C.

Yes, correct, the 8 watt can only provide level one for your size aquarium and it's right on the edge for your size aquarium. Though also having the canister UV helps with more UVC. You would have to have 25 watts to get level 2 for your size.

[Carl]

Sept 19, 2017 11:16:22 GMT -5 devonjohnsgard said:

There's no way for a canister UV to provide level one sterilization as the canister is just to large. Some water is close to the lamp and lots of water is much further from the lamp. I wouldn't call it even category C.

Yes, correct, the 8 watt can only provide level one for your size aquarium and it's right on the edge for your size aquarium. Though also having the canister UV helps with more UVC. You would have to have 25 watts to get level 2 for your size.

Well stated.!

The key is canister filters with a UV is as much a gimmick as anything the way they are marketed. This is what aAP even states on our page selling basically the same canister filter (the SunSun). Upgrading the UV lamp simply gets you a higher level of clarification, but still no level one sterilization.

Reference:
What is a quality UV

Carl

[redright28]

Thanks guys....I am either going to go with the Vecton 8w or 25w when I am ready to proceed.