flo rate for UV

[underdawg]

Hey guys,

In an attempt to prevent outbreaks of ich I have purchased a 15 Watt Gamma UV sterilizer and hooked it up to my 55 gal marine tank. I am wanting to get some feed back as to what the ideal GPH may be for the UV to kill the parasites. Thanks Guys.

 

[melonie]

UV kills algae with relatively small 'doses' - however killing parasites requires much larger 'doses'. Basic guesswork would say that your UV unit was designed to kill algae at a flow rate of about 300-500gph based on the manufacturer's tank size specs. Wild guesswork would indicate a flow rate of 100-150gph or so would be necessary to extend the exposure time of the water inside your UV unit sufficiently to do the job on parasites.