UV Steriliser Help

[derrick]

I am a little confused about flow rates for different UV sterilizers. I have a 240 gallon reef tank, with a 45 gallon frag tank and 65 gallon sump, so right at 350 gallons total.

Looking at ratings on different UV sterilizers 36 watt UV is the proper size. How ever when you look at the maximum flow rates for these sterilizers they only recommend max flow of around 250gph. My UV sterilizer is hooked up (like most, I thank) on the return side. A 250gph flow is not at all adequate for a 240 gallon tank much less a 350 gallon system.

I am currently running a 1700gph pump but am going to upgrade to a 2400gph. My return pump T’s at the pump and goes into two different 36 watt UV Sterilizers.

If a 36 watt is recommended by the manufacture for a 240 gallon tank why is the recommended flow only around 250gph.

[StevenSeas]

So that there is more dwell time for the bacteria, spores, etc to be interfacing with the UV rays that will kill them. More time exposed to the light = higher % dead.
I think its recommended to have a dedicated pump for these. Or you could plumb in a T with a valve and figure out the flow rate and get it down to 250 or so then through your sterilizer and then back to rejoin the rest of the output in the tank....