The diverter should return the water directly to t...

2009-06-11T14:57:15.092-07:00

The diverter should return the water directly to the aquarium (or pond); this way the turnover is adequate, depending upon the bypass flow of course. If the diverter is back to the sump, you are correct in stating that the turnover would be poor.
For sterilization and Redox I generally aim at a turn over of 1-2 times per hour.
As per going with a straight flow and a larger UV such as the Terminator 36 watt, this would certainly give you better sterilization qualities and with your size aquarium a turnover of at least 2 times per hour (keeping in mind that a 200 gph pump will not put out this flow rate once head pressure is applied by lifting from a sump).

The idea of using a diverter is in part to allow for a smaller UV with larger pumps, as I have seen and read countless times where someone used a 5 watt UV with a 500 gph flow and then made a blanket statement that the UV Sterilizer did not work or is useless; when properly installed a diverter can make a small UV work for larger aquariums or ponds provided the turnover part of the equation is addressed as well.

When using a diverter valve with a UV sterilizer i...

2009-06-11T14:34:34.127-07:00

When using a diverter valve with a UV sterilizer in a sump application: Where should the water that is diverted through the UV sterilizer be returned? Return it back to the sump or to the aquarium? Either way, this by-pass method doesn't seem like it would do a good job of turning over ALL aquarium water through the sterilizer in a timely manner. I have a 200 gal aquarium with a sump pump that is actually fuctioning at approx. 600 gph after all loads. Would I be better off to go with something like the ViaAqua Terminator 36 watt sterilizer and just run it in line after the filter with no by-pass?

Comments on Aquarium and pond UV Sterilizer: Aquarium UV Sterilizer Ideas

The diverter should return the water directly to t...

When using a diverter valve with a UV sterilizer i...