Post by Carl on Sept 13, 2018 20:06:48 GMT -5
I've updated the "Aquarium, Pond UV Sterilizer Dwell Time Experiment" article
Excerpt:
A Controlled Experiment between a Terminator 13 Watt UV Sterilizer (which is one of the best compact UV Sterilizer designs as per water contact design) VERSUS a TMC Vecton 8 Watt "High Dwell Time" UV tells the story of UVC Dwell Time:
Using a Rio 600 (200 gph), with 2 feet of 5/8" ID tubing; the dwell time inside the Vecton was 2.6 seconds, while the Terminator was 3 seconds.
It is important to note that the Terminator holds DOUBLE the water volume at 20 oz. water (meaning a less efficient design with more water not within the optimal 3 cm exposure zone) versus 10 oz. of water for the 8 Watt Vecton. Keep in mind that the Terminator is one of the best designed Compact UVs, as it is noteworthy that the Turbo Twist has an even higher water volume due to even less efficient water contact design.
The result is 6.66 ounces of water per second is exposed to UVC irradiation for the 13 Watt Terminator while 3.84 ounces of water per second is exposed to UVC irradiation for the 8 Watt Vecton. MORE IMPORTANTLY the results are 1.95 watts of UVC energy per second for the Terminator 13 watt versus 2.08 watts of UVC energy per second for the 8 Watt Vecton/
Product Source: Rio 600 Pump (200 gph)
What does this mean?
The Terminator is a very good compact UV (among the best from our maintenance companies experiences, comparing favorably to the Tetra and better than the Jebo, Aqua Top, Coralife Turbo Twist and others), HOWEVER when you consider the 8 watt Vecton actually has a higher dwell time due to actual time per ounce of water held close to the UVC lamp and although the 13 Watt Terminator has a higher energy output, the lower dwell time basically renders these two UVs equal in aquarium/pond gph capacity.
So with the TMC Vecton (the same goes for the TMC Advantage), you will be getting more UVC Sterilization per watt (as well as a more durable long life UV compared to ANY Compact UV Sterilizer or Clarifier.
Better yet in the case of the super high efficiency Pro Clear UV30, this same test yielded 2.29 watts of UVC Energy per second with an "apples to apples" adjusted flow rate of 750 gph (8.17 watt per second with the same Rio 200 pump)
Product Resource: TMC Pro Clear UV30; High Efficiency Pond/Aquarium UV Sterilizer
The bottom line is a Premium High Dwell Time UV with almost 100% water exposure to UVC irradiation under 3 cm that is of less wattage is going to out perform a well designed Compact UV of higher wattage (many compact UVs are not of the design either of the Terminator)!
Carl
Excerpt:
A Controlled Experiment between a Terminator 13 Watt UV Sterilizer (which is one of the best compact UV Sterilizer designs as per water contact design) VERSUS a TMC Vecton 8 Watt "High Dwell Time" UV tells the story of UVC Dwell Time:
Using a Rio 600 (200 gph), with 2 feet of 5/8" ID tubing; the dwell time inside the Vecton was 2.6 seconds, while the Terminator was 3 seconds.
It is important to note that the Terminator holds DOUBLE the water volume at 20 oz. water (meaning a less efficient design with more water not within the optimal 3 cm exposure zone) versus 10 oz. of water for the 8 Watt Vecton. Keep in mind that the Terminator is one of the best designed Compact UVs, as it is noteworthy that the Turbo Twist has an even higher water volume due to even less efficient water contact design.
The result is 6.66 ounces of water per second is exposed to UVC irradiation for the 13 Watt Terminator while 3.84 ounces of water per second is exposed to UVC irradiation for the 8 Watt Vecton. MORE IMPORTANTLY the results are 1.95 watts of UVC energy per second for the Terminator 13 watt versus 2.08 watts of UVC energy per second for the 8 Watt Vecton/
Product Source: Rio 600 Pump (200 gph)
What does this mean?
The Terminator is a very good compact UV (among the best from our maintenance companies experiences, comparing favorably to the Tetra and better than the Jebo, Aqua Top, Coralife Turbo Twist and others), HOWEVER when you consider the 8 watt Vecton actually has a higher dwell time due to actual time per ounce of water held close to the UVC lamp and although the 13 Watt Terminator has a higher energy output, the lower dwell time basically renders these two UVs equal in aquarium/pond gph capacity.
So with the TMC Vecton (the same goes for the TMC Advantage), you will be getting more UVC Sterilization per watt (as well as a more durable long life UV compared to ANY Compact UV Sterilizer or Clarifier.
Better yet in the case of the super high efficiency Pro Clear UV30, this same test yielded 2.29 watts of UVC Energy per second with an "apples to apples" adjusted flow rate of 750 gph (8.17 watt per second with the same Rio 200 pump)
Product Resource: TMC Pro Clear UV30; High Efficiency Pond/Aquarium UV Sterilizer
The bottom line is a Premium High Dwell Time UV with almost 100% water exposure to UVC irradiation under 3 cm that is of less wattage is going to out perform a well designed Compact UV of higher wattage (many compact UVs are not of the design either of the Terminator)!
Carl
