uv sterilizer to tank or wet/dry?

[corky]

I have a new 8 watt uv sterilizer that I want to hook up to my 75 gallon tank. I've been told that the u.v. should be connected to the pump and go directly into the tank. I've also been told by another that I shouldn't do this for fear of burning out my pump but should let the water go back into the wet/dry. I have a little giant 4-md-sc that pumps about 700 gal. per hour. I also have a "T" (that I can adjust flow with) half the distance from pump to tank. What is your opinion on this? Thanks!!!

 

[porkypuffer]

MY UV STERILIZER HANGS ON THE BACK OF MY 55 GAL TANK, I HAVE A CANISTER TYPE FILTER WHICH I CONNECTED THE TANK RETURN LINE TO THE UV STERILIZER. I'VE HAD IT FOR ABOUT 6 MONTH, NO PROBLEMS.

 

[mr . salty]

I asked my LFS guy about this one and he sayid to run clean,filtered water through it. Keep it from getting gunked up......STEVE

 

[mitch24]

I have the same setup as PORKYPUFFER and it seems to work great! I agree with Mr. Salty also... The problem with UVs are they aren't filters, and they can get clogged up.
The best bet is to run it off the return of a canister filter!
Also, 8 watts might not be enough for a 75 gallon tank. I'm not 100% sure about this, but I think you might want at least a 15 watt bulb. Good luck!!!

 

[corky]

Thanks for your input. Everything is just about in place. Lookout unwanted micro-organisms!!!

 

[jcb]

Hey, Corky. I, too, just bought and installed an 8-watt uv sterilizer. It's been running for about 6 days. First thing I noticed was the tank's water getting clearer and clearer. My fish also seem a little happier (healthier)--maybe it's totally due to the hyposalinity treatment, though. But I guess it doesn't hurt to imagine that the uv sterilizer is partially to thank. As far as whether 8 watts is enough, my sterilizer's specifications indicated that it was good up to 100 gallons. By the way, my sterilizer is running on its own pump, one whose flow rate is slow enough to do the required job--kill off those parasites/nuissance algae. The device rests on my sump, very close to my return pump. This is the area where the water is at its cleanest.