Is A UVC Sterilizer The Same As A UVC Clarifier?
The short answer is "No"! Although both products destroy planktonic algae, they do have some differences.
- A UVC sterilizer uses ultraviolet light to kill parasitic pathogens and other water borne bacteria as well as suspended green algae. They are usually used in large Koi ponds.
- A UVC clarifier has been designed to kill suspended algae cells and not to sterilize the pond water. These units are usually ideal for small to medium sized ponds and are usually fitted with 4 watt, 8 watt or 16 watt UV bulbs.
As a rule of thumb the following guidelines can be used to help you make an informed choice.
- For ponds up to 250 gallons, located in full sun and with plenty of fish then a 4 watt UV Clarifier is needed.
- For ponds up to 700 gallons, located in the shade and with only a few fish then a 4 watt UV clarifier will be ok.
- For ponds up to approx 1200 gallons with an average fish load a 8 watt UV clarifier will be needed.
The bigger the pond volume the more powerful the UV clarifier or UV sterilizer will need to be. The vast majority of small to medium sized ponds will find that a 4 watt or 8 watt UV light is ideal.
The following factors will also influence the power of the UV clarifier or UV sterilizer needed. Remember that the longer the contact time between the UV light and the pond water, the more algae spores will be treated.
- Warmer climates such will probably benefit from using a more powerful UV model.
- Ponds with high fish loads, particularly Koi will benefit from more UV wattage.
- In fish ponds where the water temperature is maintained at 20C (68F) for long periods of time you should consider using a higher wattage UV clarifier or UV sterilizer.
If you already use a UV unit to remove floating algae but the algae blooms appear to be increasing then the following pointers will help you to get things back on track!
- Replace the UV after 8,000 hours constant usage, usually 1 year.
- Clean the quartz tube, making sure that it is transparent with dilute acid; vinegar will do.
- If you have added more fish to your pond or the fish have grown then you will have to consider whether the currecnt UV light is powerful enough; either replace the existing unit or add to it.
A word of warning! Ensure that you place your pond pump and UV sterilizer or UV clarifier on the same electricity circuit. If the power goes and your pump stops working this will prevent the UV from running without water circulating through it. This will prevent deposits from forming on the quartz tube surface, due to the water evaporating.
Available UVC Product Types
- Pond UV Sterilizers - Best for large Koi ponds.
- Garden Pond Clarifiers - Best for small to medium sized garden ponds.
- Combined gravity discharge pond filter + UVC
- Combined pressurized pond filter + UVC
Please note that a garden pond clarifier or pond UV sterilizer will not destroy filamentous string algae such as blanketweed. In fact the opposite is often the case. Blanketweed grows best in crystal clear water, as sunlight is able to penetrate the water much more easily.
The full article can be read at http://www.garden-pond-filters.com/garden-pond-uvselectionhints.html where you will find money saving advice and information to help you choose the right pond keeping equipment the first time around.
Why not take advantage of my pond calculators to help you convert between metric and imperial measurements quickly and accurately.
