GAAAHH!!! Can't do the math!!!!

[Moozillion]

I am looking at getting a UV sterilizer for the new tank for my mud turtle.

The tank is a 40 gal breeder, BUT I'm going to keep it LESS than half full. So that would be about 20 gallons.
BUT it's LONGER than a 20 gallon tank, so I don't know how to account for that...
BUT she's a turtle, and messier than fish, so it needs to be MORE than for 20 gallons..
I am thinking myself into circles.....

 

[SteveW]

This is the smallest one I know of. Rated for 50 g i think. I’ve used it on 40’s like yours.

 

[Moozillion]

This is the smallest one I know of. Rated for 50 g i think. I’ve used it on 40’s like yours.

View attachment 235479

THANK YOU, STEVEW!!!!!!

 

[Tom]

I am looking at getting a UV sterilizer for the new tank for my mud turtle.

The tank is a 40 gal breeder, BUT I'm going to keep it LESS than half full. So that would be about 20 gallons.
BUT it's LONGER than a 20 gallon tank, so I don't know how to account for that...
BUT she's a turtle, and messier than fish, so it needs to be MORE than for 20 gallons..
I am thinking myself into circles.....

To find gallons, multiply length x width x height (all in inches) and then divide by 231. In your case, use inches of water instead of the inches of the whole tank.

Example: 36 inches long x 18 inches wide x 10 inches of water deep = 6480 / 231 = 28.05 gallons of water.

 

[Moozillion]

To find gallons, multiply length x width x height (all in inches) and then divide by 231. In your case, use inches of water instead of the inches of the whole tank.

Example: 36 inches long x 18 inches wide x 10 inches of water deep = 6480 / 231 = 28.05 gallons of water.

THANKS, Tom!!

 

[Moozillion]

This is the smallest one I know of. Rated for 50 g i think. I’ve used it on 40’s like yours.

View attachment 235479

Steve (or anyone else who has used this) do you know if it will suck up my ghost shrimp?
I've got a sponge on the intake of the HOB filter on my 20 long because it kept sucking up the ghost shrimp.

i think I would hesitate to put a protective sponge on the intake for this?

@Tom

 

[Markw84]

Steve (or anyone else who has used this) do you know if it will suck up my ghost shrimp?
I've got a sponge on the intake of the HOB filter on my 20 long because it kept sucking up the ghost shrimp.

i think I would hesitate to put a protective sponge on the intake for this?

@Tom

A UVB clarifiying filter is no different than your current filter in that regard. In fact, some canister filters come with a UVC light as part of the unit. SO you can certainly use a sponge over the end. Just like with any filter, your concern is to watch as it will plug up more easily and reduce the flow.

The biggest thing with wanting a sterilizer, is the flow rate through the unit. Most are too generously rated by the manufacturer. Most are also rated for killing green water (single cell) algae. That requires less "dwell time" to destroy than bacteria. Dwell time is the amount of time the water is exposed to the UVC light as it travels through the filter. So you generally need about 2/3 to 1/2 the flow rate to get sterilization as opposed to algae kill. I use UV filters that do not come with the pump as part of the filter. That way I can control the amount of flow I put through. So whatever you get, what you are wanting is the rating as a sterilizer, not a clarifier.

 

[Moozillion]

A UVB clarifiying filter is no different than your current filter in that regard. In fact, some canister filters come with a UVC light as part of the unit. SO you can certainly use a sponge over the end. Just like with any filter, your concern is to watch as it will plug up more easily and reduce the flow.

The biggest thing with wanting a sterilizer, is the flow rate through the unit. Most are too generously rated by the manufacturer. Most are also rated for killing green water (single cell) algae. That requires less "dwell time" to destroy than bacteria. Dwell time is the amount of time the water is exposed to the UVC light as it travels through the filter. So you generally need about 2/3 to 1/2 the flow rate to get sterilization as opposed to algae kill. I use UV filters that do not come with the pump as part of the filter. That way I can control the amount of flow I put through. So whatever you get, what you are wanting is the rating as a sterilizer, not a clarifier.

Thank you, Mark! What brand do you like?

 

[Markw84]

Thank you, Mark! What brand do you like?

I use them on my pond where they are much larger than anything you would need. I'd have to look up smaller models for tanks to see... OK I just looke quickly and I would look for something like this that is way oversized for your tank, yet has an adjustable flow rate, so you can slow the water flow and increase the dwell time, and not overwhelm your tank with high flow. I have no experience with this filter, but this is the idea of what I would look for.

 

[Moozillion]

I use them on my pond where they are much larger than anything you would need. I'd have to look up smaller models for tanks to see... OK I just looke quickly and I would look for something like this that is way oversized for your tank, yet has an adjustable flow rate, so you can slow the water flow and increase the dwell time, and not overwhelm your tank with high flow. I have no experience with this filter, but this is the idea of what I would look for.

View attachment 235543

Thanks so much!
I had seen that one but thought it was too big.[emoji2]
I really appreciate the explanations!
It really helps things make sense![emoji2][emoji106]