UV Clarifiers for Ponds
Our complete line of UV clarifiers for ponds helps keep your fish happy and healthy and your pond crystal clear. We offer a full range of in-line pond UV clarifiers sterilizers along with submersible UV lights for water features. You will find all styles and watts of UV lights to fit your specific application. You can choose between plastic housing, which is lightweight and relatively inexpensive, or stainless steel housing, which is much more durable and corrosion resistant. The ultraviolet light in all of our UV clarifiers will kill single celled algae and disease causing bacteria, providing you with visibly clearer, algae-free water without the use of chemicals.
How UV Clarifiers Work
A Pond UV Clarifier, or Ultraviolet Water Clarifier, uses Ultraviolet (UV)/UV-C light to clump suspended particles (bacteria, and protozoa, etc.) together to allow for their removal by a mechanical filter. In a matter of days, you will have crystal-clear water (visually) as a result of this process. No chemical will be added to the system. There will be no change to either the chemistry of your pond or the health of any of its contents (fish, plants, or beneficial bacteria in a biological filter).
UV filters are a long-term, maintenance-free method of treating ponds, as compared to chemical treatments. You can replace the light bulb each year (once every nine or twelve months on average) and maintain a clean quartz sleeve.
Plastic Housing vs. Stainless Steel Housing - Which Should You Choose?
Plastic Housing UV Clarifiers
Plastic units are highly sought after when establishing a koi pond or water garden in the backyard. They offer all of the necessary features that make them an excellent choice as they are extremely light weight, simple to put into place in conjunction with a pond pump, and can be purchased easily on a budget. High quality UV resistant poly hosing will endure very well to extreme cold and moisture and are, therefore, an excellent option for either temporary or cost-conscious set-ups.
Stainless Steel Housing UV Clarifiers
UV stainless steel clarifiers are designed to last a long time! The metal construction does not corrode easily; it can take very high pressures of water, and can withstand extreme changes in temperature. Therefore, they are the best option for large koi ponds, professional installations, and pond builders who want to have a high-quality and long-lasting UV unit.
Correctly Selecting the Right UV Wattage for Your Pond
Choosing a UV light for your pond requires that you first determine what size pond (gallons) you have so that you can find the proper wattage of the UV clarifier:
- <1,000 gallons — 9 watt to 13 watt UV clarifier
- 1,000 – 3,000 gallons — 18 watt to 25 watt UV clarifier
- 3,000 to 6,000 gallons – 36W to 55W UV clarifier
- 6,000+ gallons (koi ponds) – 75W to 110W UV sterilizer
Use a size-up tier (one size larger than you would normally) for heavily stocked koi ponds or for ponds that regularly experience green water algae blooms (large patches of green algae on the surface of the water). It is best to run a UV sterilizer that is slightly over-sized since that will ensure that it has enough power to perform properly, but not too much.
UV Clarifiers VS UV Sterilizers
Although the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, there is a small difference between the two terms.
- UV Clarifiers operate with a flow rate so that when the water passes by the bulb, it does so at a quick rate and eliminates the occurrence of green water algae.
- UV Sterilizers (Ultraviolet Water Sterilisers) operate at a considerably lower flow rate than other common types of water treatments (e.g. Chlorine). This allows for a greater dose of UV-C light to be applied to water as it passes through the unit, ensuring the destruction of parasites, bacteria, viruses and algae. If your pond has koi or any type of fish or you have had recurrent health issues with your fish, then you should seriously consider investing in a pond UV sterilisation system.
Tips for Installation
In general, UV Filters are located after the mechanical or biological filter but before water returns to the pond. This way, you will accomplish these two things:
- The filtered water coming into the UV chamber has already been pre-filtered (in turn decreasing the debris that could inhibit the bulb's ability to heat the water)
- The treated water will go directly back into your pond.
You can use Submersible UV Lights in your pond or sump directly — great for small features, or if it is impractical to run plumbing in-line for that situation (e.g., "retrofits").
Replacement Bulbs & Maintenance
Although UV bulbs light up, they begin to lose their ability to emit UV rays as the bulbs age. You should replace your pond UV light bulb every 9 to 12 months at the start of each season. Be sure to keep the quartz sleeve clean, as mineral build-up can dramatically decrease the amount of UV that transmits through the quartz sleeve. We carry replacement bulbs and quartz sleeves for all of the brands we sell.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: How long does it require for a UV clarifier to clean pond water?
A: For most of our customers, their water will typically beginning to look better within three to five days. Total clarity is usually attained between one to two weeks depending upon the level of algae bloom present as well as on the flow rate of the pump used with your pond.
Q: Will UV Lights Sterilize Beneficial Bacteria in a Pond?
No, they do not sterilize beneficial bacteria. They will continue to exist on the surfaces of the filter, rocks, or plant roots and are not found in a free-floating state in the pond. UV lights have an effect on organisms that are passing through the UV Chamber at the time.
Q: What are the differences between the plastic and stainless steel UV Housings?
A plastic UV Housing is much lighter and more cost-effective than a stainless steel housing and would be well suited for residential pond use. A stainless steel housing is capable of withstanding much higher pressures and a greater range of temperatures than the plastic housing and is therefore preferred for use in larger or professionally installed koi ponds.
Q: Will using a UV Clarifier in a non-Koi pond hurt other types of Fish?
A: Not at all – all types of fish (not just koi) will benefit from the use of a UV clarifier in their pond. Goldfish ponds, Water Gardens & Mixed Fish Ponds will all good results from using a UV clarifier.
Q: Do I need a UV clarifier if I already have a biological filter?
A: A bio filter will deal with both ammonia as well as nitrites, however, it will not remove green water algae. A UV pond filter should be used with a bio filter, they're both used for different purposes but they work together perfectly to create a clearer pond.
Q: When should I change my UV bulb?
A: You should change your UV bulb every 9-12 months. The bulb may continue to operate after it's become ineffective as a result of the fact that it will produce a visible blue glow for quite a while after the UV-C output has been significantly reduced from a bulb that has been working for 9000 hours. Many pond keepers replace their UV bulb at the start of every Spring.
Q: Which UV Clarifiers PSP offers?
A:
- Aqua Ultraviolet UV Clarifiers
- Matala Stainless Steel UV Clarifier
- Teton Professional UV Clarifier
- Pondmax UV Clarifiers
- Oase UV Clarifiers
- Savio Retrofit UV Clarifiers
- Pondmaster UV Clarifiers
