good water pusher for a uv unit?

[BLASK]

I got a 13w JEBO UV sterilizer that came with a water pump. However this pump's flow rate is way too high for my 20g tank, so I want to get another. I don't want to spend more than $35. I was looking at the fluval 3 plus or the ehiem aquaball series filters/pumps.

Just to understand, the filters/pumps that have a water flow control valve, I just have to plug in the hose on the out of the pump and plug it in on the intake of the uv unit and then just have the outflow of the uv go back in the tank in a hose?

thanks

 

[smithrc]

the internal filters wont have enough power to pump the water back into the tank.

the UV filter will work better with a slower flow anyway
(longer time passing the UV) - what about using the pump on the UV filter and then add an internal aswell.

Just out of curiosity - why have you added a UV filter?

 

[nc_nutcase]

The two ways (I'm familiar with) to incorporate the UV lights are:

1. Water goes from the tank... to the filter intake... through the filtering media... out the filter's return hose (therefore any filter with an overflow only return system will not work)... into the UV light (from what I understand with most models it doesn't matter which end is inlet and which end is return)... out of the UV light into your tank. If you feel you need a bio wheel on your return system you can buy attachments for return hoses to run through a bio wheel (I just bought a Magnum 350 that has one, haven't used it yet so I have no recommendations there).

That system works wonderful with canister or similar external filters. If you already have a suitable over flow filtration system consider the next option...

2. But a $20-$50 dollar pump from wherever (Home Depot/Lowe's carry them). Be sure to read the Gallons Per Hour rating and get the pump that matches the recommended flow rate on your UV light. I've been told that if the flow rate is too high, the light will not have time to do what it's designed to do and if the flow rate is to slow then the light will wear out faster, could burn itself out and could heat up your water at an uncontrollable rate. Once the proper pump size is established drop the pump in the aquarium and pump the water directly into the UV inlet and from the return to the tank.

I would discourage this method because the water that goes through the pump as well as the UV light is unfiltered and the risk of debris damaging one of these pieces of equipment increases.

That's about all I have to offer on UV lights. I have one in use and just purchased a second one I plan to use on a large project I'm working on. I saw a very impressive difference when I added mine to my 125 Gal. I would like to ask, is it worth it to add this unit to a 20 Gal? I have a Penguin 330 overflow filter on a 29 Gal and it has done a wonderful job keeping this aquarium clean and the water near crystal clear (with 20% weekly water changes, which I would suggest regardless of filtration)

 

[BLASK]

well i got the uv filter for almost nothing, and i have 35 dollars in ebay points that i can spend on ebay for free, so the cost is zilch

 

[nc_nutcase]

Even for free, it sounds like you may be making things harder (and more expensive) on yourself trying to work your "free" UV light into your aquarium. It may be in your best interests to spend the $35 on filter cartridges or other less exciting yet needed apparatus.

Heck put the light on Ebay for $35, that gives someone else an awesome opportunity and gives you $70 wastable dollars to play with!

 

[CathyG]

Get yourself a tap connector for your hose (I would say place it on the hosing as it leaves the pump, but before it enters the UV) and close it off slightly. This is a much cheaper way to reduce the flow rate.

Example of tap connectors Note that the tap connectors come in different sizes depending on the hose diameter. These are the Eheim connectors, you are likely to find cheaper versions in a hardware or plumbing supplies shop.