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Sun, May 17, 09 at 11:58
| I built my pond last July and have an 18 watt UV lamp that I kept running until October. The water stayed pretty algae-clear. I started it up again about a month ago, but can't tell if the UV light is working or not. I don't see the glowing green light, but the bulb is hot. I am having an algae problem which I know is common in spring until the plants get established, but I think it's worse than it should be with a UV light. It's definately worse than last year. I know you should replace the bulb every year but mine was only running for about 3 months last year, so I thought it would still be okay.
My main question is, if the bulb is hot does that mean it's working? Or if I don't see green, does that mean that I need a replacement? FWIW, it's a Cal Pump 18 watt lamp. |
Follow-Up Postings:
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- Posted by watershaper (My Page) on Sun, May 17, 09 at 13:37
| You must have different UVs than we have here because all of ours are blue-ish in color. If there is no glow, it isn't working, but than again I've never seen a green UV so I guess I may not be sure. One thing lots of people do is leave the light in the fixture over the winter. Did you do that? Their life span often goes to zero when left out over the winter or if left on without water flow. Otherwise they should last 3-4 years if you are only running it 3 months at a time. |
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| This one glows a greenish color (at least it did last year.) Yes, I left the bulb in the fixture over the winter and put the entire unit in the basement. We've been careful to not touch the bulb as we've been told that the oil from our hands can damage it. I ran it only 3 months last year because I built my pond in July. From now on, it will run from April or May to October. It just seems odd to me that the base of the bulb is hot - with a regular light bulb, if they're burnt out they don't get warm. I guess I'll just order another one and see what happens. I'm tired of algae already and it's only May! |
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- Posted by groundbeef1 (My Page) on Sun, May 17, 09 at 19:20
| New bulbs are just an expense. I replace mine each spring in April. I did discover that Lowes carries UV lamps (at least 12w) and they are about 1/2 the cost of online outlets. Check around. |
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| Pompeii, I assume you are not looking directly at the bulb. If you are looking at it thru PVC or a clear piece of plastic it might appear green in color. The bulb being hot doesn't mean that the bulb is working or not working. The bulb has two filaments. One at each end of the bulb. These filaments heat up to heat up the gas inside to cause it to light. If the gas has leaked out of the bulb the filaments may still heat up but the bulb will not light. Normally the bulb is rated for 9000 hours of use or just under 13 months. The next question should be is this unit a sterilizer or a clarifier? Then we need to know the size of the pond and the flow rate thru the UV. Mike |
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| Thanks, all, for your answers. Mike, I'm seeing the light through the end of the plastic UV case. I'm not looking directly at the bulb. We pulled it apart this weekend to see if the unit had gotten dirty inside but everything was clean. I could see the light glowing this morning, but it didn't look very bright. I just went ahead and ordered another bulb. I believe the unit is a UV clarifier - it's a Cal Pump 18 watt. My pond is about 800 gals and the pump is an oase aquarius but unfortunately I can't remember the GPH. I'd have to pull it out of the skimmer box to check. I'll see if the new bulb helps. It should be here in a couple of days. |
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| Does your UV have a sleeve? If it does check for mineral build up. That mineral build up will prevent the UV from killing the algae. |
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| Definitely check the quartz sleeve for fouling which would prevent the UV light from treating the water. Follow manufacturer (Cal Pump) directions and handle carefully to prevent breakage. Some quartz sleeves are VERY expensive and hard to find. Check link for low priced replacement bulb for the Cal 18 Watt UV older model. |
Here is a link that might be useful: 18 Watt UV Bulb
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