What are Aqua Ultraviolet U.V sterilizers are and how they work
Ultra-violet U.V. sterilizers are an important part of every pond filtration system that I design and build. Simply put, they are an easy way to ensure that your pond will have clear water. The ultra-violet bulb inside the unit emits a wave of UV light that can easily “burn” or disrupt the DNA of the algae cells and other pathogens that pass through it. As a result, it keeps your ponds water clear rather than looking like “pea soup”.
They can be used and described in two ways: A Clarifier to kill algae or a Sterilizer to kill algae, bacteria, viruses and some parasites. The length of time that the cells are exposed to the light (dwell time), will determine what it will be able kill. For more information on all that watch my video on YouTube (Jersey Shore Pondscapes Videos), all about UV lights. Just click on this link: https://youtu.be/cjeHhUQuE8E
Aqua Ultraviolet U.V. sterilizers can be installed very easily. They just intercept a return pipe. (Preferably after a filter system). The water flows in one end of the unit and out the other. The longer the water is exposed to the light, the more effective it will be. Setting them up in pond filtration systems as clarifiers to kill algae is their most common use. They are very well suited for this in almost any pond system. However using them as a sterilizer in most ponds requires much bigger units, and very slow water flow rates that it can become impractical and extremely costly.
What size do I need?
Aqua Ultraviolet offers these units in many different sizes, from 8 watts to several hundred watts. For me, I use the 8 watt units for ponds under 500 gallons. A 15 watt unit for ponds up to or just over 1000 gallons. The 25 watt unit for ponds 1000 to 1500 gallons. The 40 watt and 57 watt units for ponds up to 3000 gallons. An 80 watt unit for 3000 to 5000 gallons, just as examples. However, the size of the pump also plays a factor in which size to use. For me, the 25 and 40 watt units are used the most, as they are perfect for most average backyard garden pond systems.
As we get up into larger size units, they increase in wattage in 40 watt increments. A 80 watt unit is basically two 40 watt units put together. A 120 watt is three 40 watts together, a 160 watt is four 40 watt, and so on. They work very well, however honestly I do not like to use these larger UV lights. They are very costly. Also you need to replace several bulbs rather than just one high output bulb that can be found in other manufactures lights. For example, a 120 watt Aqua Ultraviolet U.V. sterilizer has three 40 watt bulbs that each cost over $100.00 (total cost is around $300.00). A Pentair 120 watt HO light uses one bulb that costs $100.00. Also consider three Quartz Sleeves, and your spending over $600.00! Sorry, they’re great units, but I would not buy that for my own pond so I can’t recommend them to my clients either. That being said, the 15, 25, 40 and 57 watt units are great..
The Odd 57 Watt Unit
The 57 watt unit is a bit strange. It is the same exact housing as the 25 watt light. It just has a 57 watt bulb instead of a 25 watt bulb, and a different power supply. Otherwise they are exactly the same. Some of my clients who have a 25 watt unit opt to switch it up to a 57 watt unit when it’s time to replace a bulb or especially the power supply. This is very easy to do, and you end up with twice the UV output. The only thing that I am hesitant about, is the fact that it’s a small unit. The 40 watt light is about twice as long as this 25 watt housing. We often think that as the wattage goes up, so does the water flow rate that a unit can handle. This may be true here too, but I just don’t like the idea of pumping more water through a smaller 57 watt unit than the I can for the 40 watt. The one advantage with the 57 watt over the 25 watt is that it will clear the algae much quicker than the 25 watt can.
In Conclusion
Aqua Ultraviolet U.V. sterilizers are very popular and the company Aqua Ultraviolet is huge. They are definitely leaders in the industry, and make great products. Their products are easily available and getting replacement parts when needed is not a problem. Just be aware that buying the larger lights can be very expensive and there may be better, cheaper alternatives. That being said they are all great units, and trusted on many very big private and commercial systems.
Please check out my YouTube Channel (Jersey Shore Pondscapes Videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwW54gcUZItY2EubRDLBNVw ) and my Website (www.pondscapesandmore.com) for more information or to purchase one for your pond. The link to my featured products page is here: https://pondscapesandmore.com/pond-and-landscape-products/ Thank You.
Leave a Reply