UV Sterilizers Truths
Aquarium and Pond UV Sterilizers Truths:
There are many gimmicks surrounding some UV Sterilizers currently on the market, some based in assumptions that are good, others not so much
I will emphasize as I have in earlier posts as well as my full Aquarium and Pond UV Sterilization Article that flow rate trumps all as to UV Sterilizer effectiveness. This flow should be under 20-25 gph per watt for sterilization and under 40 gph per watt for algae control. The gimmicks come into play with baffles and other ideas to slow the flow rate inside the unit unfortunately these do little to help the flow and can even hinder UV light exposure while in the unit (this is based on my experience and measured flow results!).
The Coralife Turbo Twist is a good unit, however the purchase of this unit over another unit based on this configuration is a waste of the extra cost in my experience. I have achieved as good a results and better with also well made Via Aqua Terminator UV Sterilizers or Custom UV Sterilizers.
Another over rated UV part is the quartz sleeve (although not useless). Even though I use and recommend Via Aqua Terminator UV Sterilizers which have these, I have found little difference in units with and without them (the exception being cold water applications such as Trout). The quartz sleeve also needs to be cleaned upon changing the bulbs every six months to a year and sometimes more often.
The new Wiper models that I have seen also do a poor job of removing calcium and other buildup and again are not worth the extra $. If you have a quartz sleeve make sure and clean it with acetone when you change your bulb to truly have a clean quartz sleeve (unlike wipers which are one of the biggest gimmicks to hit UV Sterilization in recent years IMO). The rubber gasket that is pulled across the quartz sleeve simply does not remove all the deposits and sometimes leave its own “trail of debris”. These also are easily torn or broken with regular use. Bottom line, DO NOT spend the extra money!
Other poor UV attributes are the low quality electronic ballasts that many low end companies now use that are often only good for 6 months.
One other UV gimmick is the UV Sterilizers that come built into many pond filters including a brand I highly recommend which is the Clear Stream Pond Filter. However I personally only recommend the units that come without the UV Sterilizers (unlike a few less honest pond supply retailers that sell these.). The problem is that most come with UVs ranging from 5 to 18 watts, the 9 watt is being the most common, so when you install this filter to a water pump that moves 2000 gph through a 9 watt UV you are effecting a 222 gph per watt rating which is TOTALLY useless.
Please read this article which has a diagram that demonstrates how to correctly connect a UV Sterilizer to your pond filtration system: A Clear Pond, Pond Information and more
Also, although this is not a gimmick rather a scam IMO, and that us the use of proprietary UVC replacement bulbs by some companies to force the UV purchaser to buy replacement bulbs from them at often triple OR MORE the cost of standard UV bulbs. Tetra is one of the biggest offenders here and should be ashamed of themselves!
FINALLY, be aware that many UV Sterilizers sold are made of very cheap material and have extremely low end electronic ballasts that have burned out in as little as 6 months (or even less) as per our own and others in the Aquarium/Pond maintenance business experience.
A few of the brands we have tried, used and REJECTED are; Aqua Medic, Jebo, and Garden Treasures. Avoid thesse brands unless you enjoy throwing money away!
For further information about UV Sterilization, please read my full article: Aquarium and Pond UV Sterilization; How UV Sterilizers works and more
There are many gimmicks surrounding some UV Sterilizers currently on the market, some based in assumptions that are good, others not so much
I will emphasize as I have in earlier posts as well as my full Aquarium and Pond UV Sterilization Article that flow rate trumps all as to UV Sterilizer effectiveness. This flow should be under 20-25 gph per watt for sterilization and under 40 gph per watt for algae control. The gimmicks come into play with baffles and other ideas to slow the flow rate inside the unit unfortunately these do little to help the flow and can even hinder UV light exposure while in the unit (this is based on my experience and measured flow results!).
The Coralife Turbo Twist is a good unit, however the purchase of this unit over another unit based on this configuration is a waste of the extra cost in my experience. I have achieved as good a results and better with also well made Via Aqua Terminator UV Sterilizers or Custom UV Sterilizers.
Another over rated UV part is the quartz sleeve (although not useless). Even though I use and recommend Via Aqua Terminator UV Sterilizers which have these, I have found little difference in units with and without them (the exception being cold water applications such as Trout). The quartz sleeve also needs to be cleaned upon changing the bulbs every six months to a year and sometimes more often.
The new Wiper models that I have seen also do a poor job of removing calcium and other buildup and again are not worth the extra $. If you have a quartz sleeve make sure and clean it with acetone when you change your bulb to truly have a clean quartz sleeve (unlike wipers which are one of the biggest gimmicks to hit UV Sterilization in recent years IMO). The rubber gasket that is pulled across the quartz sleeve simply does not remove all the deposits and sometimes leave its own “trail of debris”. These also are easily torn or broken with regular use. Bottom line, DO NOT spend the extra money!
Other poor UV attributes are the low quality electronic ballasts that many low end companies now use that are often only good for 6 months.
One other UV gimmick is the UV Sterilizers that come built into many pond filters including a brand I highly recommend which is the Clear Stream Pond Filter. However I personally only recommend the units that come without the UV Sterilizers (unlike a few less honest pond supply retailers that sell these.). The problem is that most come with UVs ranging from 5 to 18 watts, the 9 watt is being the most common, so when you install this filter to a water pump that moves 2000 gph through a 9 watt UV you are effecting a 222 gph per watt rating which is TOTALLY useless.
Please read this article which has a diagram that demonstrates how to correctly connect a UV Sterilizer to your pond filtration system: A Clear Pond, Pond Information and more
Also, although this is not a gimmick rather a scam IMO, and that us the use of proprietary UVC replacement bulbs by some companies to force the UV purchaser to buy replacement bulbs from them at often triple OR MORE the cost of standard UV bulbs. Tetra is one of the biggest offenders here and should be ashamed of themselves!
FINALLY, be aware that many UV Sterilizers sold are made of very cheap material and have extremely low end electronic ballasts that have burned out in as little as 6 months (or even less) as per our own and others in the Aquarium/Pond maintenance business experience.
A few of the brands we have tried, used and REJECTED are; Aqua Medic, Jebo, and Garden Treasures. Avoid thesse brands unless you enjoy throwing money away!
For further information about UV Sterilization, please read my full article: Aquarium and Pond UV Sterilization; How UV Sterilizers works and more
posted by Carl at
5:59 PM
ULTRAVIOLET STERILIZATION
UV Sterilizers, Clarifiers
PLL & PL-S UVC Replacement Bulbs for most compact UV Sterilizers
T-5, T-8, & T-10 UV bulb for many Ultra Violet Sterilizers; Custom, Aqua, Emperor, Fish Mate, etc.
BF 100 and 200 Internal Wet/Dry Bio Filters
Seio Propeller Aquarium Water Pumps
4 Comments:
Do you have information on UV lamp efficiency at different operating temperatures as would be the case if a quartz tube was used or whether there is direct water impact with the UV lamp. I once had Phillips info but have lost it. Thank you
Tony
Water in the Home and Garden
I do not have any current data as to “UV lamp efficiency at different operating temperatures as would be the case if a quartz tube was used or whether there is direct water impact with the UV lamp”
I also used to have some of this information from Phillips as well, but did not retain this.
What I can say is that from my own experiments and tests that I not observed a more than 5 degree F difference between these tow types of units and in fact some quartz sleeve units were actually worse due to poor housing design. I have a particular unit that I have replaced several Tetra Quartz Sleeve models with in ponds and have had measurable results observed by myself and clients.
I address some of this question in this article (which has just been updated as of this reply): Ultra Violet Sterilization
Someday I will make a blog post on this subject after more facts and tests are gathered.
I have just bought a turbo twist 9w.
The instruction pdf comes with an incomprehensible chart which uses flow rate on one axis and microwatts per cm per second as a measure on the other axis (i'm not sure if thats right but its a radiation measure of some sort). My pump (eheim 2322) flow is 350litres per hour but i can adjust flow a little prob 10%, i think this is about 90 gallons per hour. The tank is small at around 50lires. Why do the ratings say this uv unit is for this volume tank when surely the flow rate is the measure of performance???
Now you say uv wattage of the bulb is an ok measure to use. Are you sure the wattage relates closely to the radiation output? I hope so because watts of bulb is easier for me to understand!
Anyway i want to kill as much bugs as possible. I like the size and the price of replacement bulbs for the turbo twist, but now i'm wondering if i should upgrade from 9 watt to a 18 watt unit. Can anyone advise??
The information I have shows that the Eheim 2322 has a flow rate of 500 l/ph (132 gph) which is proper flow rate for a 9 watt Turbo Twist using watts per gph as a guide.
This is not a 100 % accurate guide, however watts are a very accurate guide as to output of UVC radiation since we are dealing with apples to apples comparisons of the low pressure UV bulbs commonly used in UV Sterilizers employed by the aquarium industry.
Other factors includes the flow design such flow pattern and volume of water between the lamp or quartz sleeve and the UV Sterilizer wall. Water Temperature is also a factor in low pressure UV Bulbs.
The Turbo Twist is an average UV Sterilizer in my experience based on factors other than wattage output (there are better and much worse units).
Back your question, your peak flow rate (at 0 head pressure, so likely your flow rate is lower) places your unit in an effective zone for UVC radiation. 20 -30 gph (75- 115 l/ph) per watt is generally effective for most UV applications, although for parasites kills, you will need to be under 10 gph (38 l/ph) per watt, which is usually not possible in most applications. At 9 watts that equals 675 l/ph for your Turbo Twist.
You can slow down water if you choose by placing your Eheim lower from your tank surface thus adding to head pressure.
For further information, please see these articles:
UV Lamps (Bulbs) and how they work
UV Sterilization
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