Overview
UV
or Ultraviolet light is being used in many applications. Sterilizing
instruments in hospitals, for sterilizing drinking water, algae control in
ponds and Aquariums to name but a few. It has also been used for aquariums
and ponds for several years for algae control.
The four components of the ultraviolet sterilizer are:
1.A
germicidal lamp,
2.A
quartz sleeve to protect the lamp from the water.
3.A
ballast or transformer, to provide the correct current for the lamp.
4.The
housing for water through flow.
Shopping for a UV
Shopping
for a UV can be confusing. For most pond applications UV Lights are used
as Clarifiers I.E. Algae destroyers. If you wish to use it as a sterilizer
( to kill bacteria) the flow rates through the unit will have to be
significantly less, sometimes reduced by as much as 1/3. Efficiencies of
different manufacturers units can be affected by Lamp Quality, Electronic
efficiency and reflective housing materials. UV
Lights for Sale
Installation
The
UV unit needs to be matched to the pond, to the water flow and to the job
it’s expected to accomplish.
10
Watts will clean a 1500 Gallon pond with a 700GPH pump of green water.
10
Watts will clean a 500 Gallon pond with a 250GPH pump of most bacteria.
For
higher wattages just multiply the size of pond and pump.
Common
Myths
1.
A UV
Light will kill all bacteria and algae.
A
UV light can only kill Bacteria and Algae that flows past the bulb. It has
no effect on bio-filter bacteria or any Algae that’s sessile or
attached.
2.
A UV
Light filters the pond.
A
UV light can provide floating Algae free clear water, but does not filter.
It destroys the algae by disrupting the DNA of the single cell algae,
effectively destroying it.
Maintenance
If
your pond is still green, even with a UV light, some things you should
check are:
Check to see how old your UV Bulb is; Most bulbs have a lifespan of about
a year, after this, the bulbs operate at only 75% of their original
efficiency and have to be replaced. Note—The lamp will continue to glow,
but will have lost it’s UV emitting capability.
Check to see if the lamp is glowing by looking at the view window provided
by most brands. Caution—Never look directly at a
lit UV bulb—Eye damage could result. If there is no glow, check
your outlet, the UV bulb and the ballast.
Check to see that the quartz sleeve is free from deposits; mineral
deposits can rob the bulb of 75% of its efficiency. The deposits can be
cleaned with a vinegar soaked scrubby.
While pond clarity can be accomplished
with excellent biological and particulate filtration good and proper plant
populations, a UV is the best way to guarantee water clarity. An
ultraviolet sterilizer is NOT a replacement for biological filtration. A
UV helps clear the pond, it does nothing to help water quality. A properly
balanced pond with good filtration is the only way to help your overall
pond health. |
