HI

I'm proud of myself. Thanks to the great folks on this board, I went from knowing nothing about UV filtration to setting up my own. I got a "step ladder" UV filter with a 15W bulb and set it under my stand, but not connected to my Eheim (that thing has a pretty low flow rate so I didn't want to slow it further by sticking something else on the end). I paired it with a Quite One pump that pumps 300gph. It works! I'm so happy becuase I even traversed the intimidating (to me) world of hardware stores in search of tubing and adaptors.

The cycle is going verrry slowly still. But at least everything else is now ready for the fish.

I am so glad you found the information you needed! I, too, was walked through the purchase and setup of my most recent UV unit - and I cannot thank those who helped enough!

I hope it gives you years of good service.

See? Plumbing ain't so hard! Glad you got it set up and running - my UV has really made a world of difference in my GF tank! I was quite intimidated when I was trying to figure out how to plumb it - now, I plumb my own wet/dry sumps, intakes and returns for my marine tanks. Amazing what a little practice will do. ;-)

BTW, there is a school of thought that says to leave your UV off while cycling. I've not cycled a tank since I installed my UV, so I have no real first-hand experience with this, but I've read it in more than one place....

Dave

Yep, I've heard that too, Dave. Actually I think you told me not to turn the UV on while cycling. In the instructions to my UV it said to turn the unit off during cycling.

Congrats on the new toy Pushkin!! You'll love it!! And nice job on the installation.

Fantailfan,

Well definitely if one is using BioSpira, or the like, the package instructions say to not use UV for two weeks after addition of the culture, and Rick at Goldfish connections advises the same for a cycling tank. Just wanted to check my sources again before I start stating things as fact, given that I've not visited this issue in a few months.... :-)

It's OK to run water through the unit, but your cycle will go faster if you leave the lamp off until complete, I believe.

Once the cycle is done, let 'er rip! Your tank will thank you for it, Pushkin!


Dave

Yep, like I mentioned, the instructions to my UV said it was fine to hook it up and cycle but wait to turn the unit on once the tank was fully cycled.

That's what I did and it worked out great!