Pond UV Light

Pond UV light

A pond UV light is used to sterilize algae and preventing it from giving the water that green look that is caused by the single cell algae. A pond UV light will not help with filamentous algae. UV lights often come in devices known as sterilizer clarifiers  that can either perform the sterilization or clarification function dependent on usage. A pond UV light sits inside the device and irradiates the pond water with UV-C rays that affect the nucleic acid of the algae which sterilize it and causes it not to be able to reproduce. That’s how all UV-C lights work.Often the sterilizers and clarifiers are separate devices.

Pond UV Light: Proper Sizing for Best Results

In this application the UV light and the sterilizer/ clarifier are rated based upon the amount of gallons it will handle and the maximum flow rate. If you exceed the flow rate than the UV lights will not have enough time to perform the sterilization and you will not be happy with the results. On the other hand you can use the device in a larger pond than it is rated for. If you exceed the maximum pond size you will sterilize the water effectively but you will not have enough throughput to treat the entire pond. In that case the clarity of the water will suffer and it will be greener than if you had used the proper size device.. Pond UV light manufacturers sometimes use a clarity rating instead of complete sterilization. Where you see this it generally means having clear water  to a depth of 1 foot. Many other units have both a clarity and a sterilization rating.

Pond UV light: Useful Life

A pond UV light does not last forever. The UV lamp bulb life depends upon the manufacturer. As a very broad general rule of thumb, figure a 12 to 14 months lifetime. After that time, the UV light may still be functioning but at reduced output, generally significantly less. If the pond starts getting greener it is a sure sign that your pond UV light bulb needs replacement. If the bulb is still working and you suspect it is not functioning properly do not look at the bulb directly. UV-C bulbs can damage your eyes.

The UV light bulb works as a part of a sterilizer/clarifier (or sometimes in a sterilizer OR clarifier. The clarifier’s function is to reduce the greenness of the pond. The sterilization function is to kill out microorganisms. Either way your pond is less green but the pond UV light is the best way to assure water clarity because that way you know you have killed the algae. One thing to note is that a pond UV light kills micro or organisms and therefore makes the water clearer but it does not assist with overall water quality which is more a function of biological filtration and having the proper plants in the pond.