UV sterilizer connected to FX5 return line

[Crazyfish88]

Hi everyone I ordered a UV to fix my green water problem and I'm using a FX5's and connecting the UV to it's return line. My question is could I use the oem FX5's tubing or would I have to change the whole return line tubing to a different hose for the UV's specifications(Coralife 12x turbo twist 36 watt)? This is my first time connecting a large UV to a canister so please bare with my noob question.

[tony1928]

I'm thinking the fx5 might have too much flow a uv sterilizer to be effective. There would be insufficient dwell time for the uv to do its job properly.

[The Guy]

What you do is put a T in the line going back to the tank from your FX5 with a control valve on both lines an control your flow thru your UV. I did this with my Laguna 1800 and it works great, I agree with Tony regarding dwell time over the bulb, longer the better for control of green water, bacteria & parasites.

[oakley1984]

depends on the size of the UV unit, a loaded fx5 will push 6-700 gph
if your uv is over 40w... that flowrate is fine..

eg i run 750gph through my 57w

[charles]

Coralife 12x turbo twist 36 watt has min 300gph to 900gph rating. I assume for just green water, you can take the 900gph rating and it should be fine. But for other control, you have to run it slower. How slow, I don't know. But you should have the menu.

Why not just run a small powerhead? It is easier. And added more flow in your tank.

But if you choose to use your intake hose, you can always get hoses from home depot and do a new setup. Then you can save your old hose in case you want to not use your UV in the future.

[Crazyfish88]

Thanks everyone for the advice. Yes the Coralife Turbo twist 36watt is rated 400gph-900gph. I have a FX5 already so just gonna use it for extra mech filtration on my tank. Also yes with the FX5 filled with media the flow rates is around 500gph give or take @6' head. Yes the filter is rated 925gph but @ 0'head and when running empty. One more question should I install the UV on the intake line of the fx5 or on the return line? Would it make a difference?

[oakley1984]

you will need to install it on the return line
if you install it on the intake, your filter will have a terrible time trying to recolonize after a cleaning..

[Crazyfish88]

Ok thanks. Oh one more question again. Do I need to run the UV 24/7? I was thinking of running it on a timer to save some energy if it's not needed to be running all the time. My tank see's alot of sunlight due to it being set up outside in the garage as my Dad works in there few hrs a day and has the garage open everyday.

[oakley1984]

personally id run it 24/7
keep fish tanks long enough and your bound to run into some sort of disease...
myself i dont run a single tank without a full time UV sterilizer anymore

[Crazyfish88]

Ok thanks. BCA was very helpful. I asked these same questions on MFK and never get any replies. Thanks again everyone. Cheers.