In service = Hydor 320 water pump supplying the AquaMed 1000 CO2 reactor.
In the Box = Fluval 406
UV Clarifier
Questions
- 1. Can the UV be placed in the Fluval return? The concern is Fluval's insistence that the lines be perfectly straight, the UV would require a jog in the line.
- 2. Could the Hydor 320 serve both the CO2 reactor and the UV with the use of a "Y" connecter? Don't know what the connector would do the flow rate of the pump.
- 3. Would it be best to use a stand alone pump? Downsides are Cost need of a location in the tank.
Thank you for your help.
The lines are not straight on my Fluval externals, there are 4 of them and they work fine.
You lose flow every time you bend a pipe. More bends, more loss. Tighter bends incur a greater penalty for flow, longer sweeping bends are better but still degrade flow total. (That's basic plumbing, look online)
Does the Fluval give the correct flow rate to ensure the uv lamp is operating at an optimum level? I'm sure uv rigs need a particular flow rate to ensure that,
A-the bulb doesn't overheat. (Too slow)
B-the uv light has a chance to eradicate whatever the wavelength is designed for. (Too slow/too fast)
The pump will pump at given total unless it is dc controlled, the impeller spins at a constant. Flow is restricted by reducing bore diameter and head (head includes bends). The T and ball valves will control flow, this needs to be optimised for both units, if the flow total of the pump and both units combined are roughly equal or greater (preferably) then it should pose no problems.
