Before we start, let’s set the records straight. A UV is a sterilizer and clarifier. It IS NOT a filtering system in any sense of the word. The statements on sites claiming the product is a UV FILTER are false. Granted there are units that incorporate a UV in with the bio-filter, but the filter, filters and the UV sterilizes and clarifies the water. It’s a fact! With that said let’s first discuss what an UV or Ultraviolet light does.
When water, pumped from your pond passes in front of the Ultraviolet rays of the UV bulb, the cells of the algae divide. When they divide, they die causing them to clump together into larger masses of algae. These larger dead algae can now be filtered out by your bio-filter system. Now when your system is back washed, the pads cleaned or other media washed off, this flushes the algae from the system never to be seen again.
I THINK I WANT ONE. HOW DO I HOOK IT UP?
Here is where different entities of the pond industry disagree. But we plan on stating our theory to make it crystal clear, just like your water will be if you apply these rules. Some pond people insist that you connect the UV after the water has gone through the filter system. They state the clean water now passes over the bulb and it kills the algae. They are 100% right. But where in the heck did the dead algae go. Was it zapped into outer space? Not hardly! It ends right back in your pond to become a food source for the existing algae. We don’t believe this is very effective or practical. For years we have been connecting the UV in-line between the pump and the filter system.
Like previously stated, this kills the algae, clumps it together and allows it to be filtered out. Make sense to you? Well it works plain and simple. Granted their argument of sterilizing dirty green water is not as effective, but when our ponds clear up 50% faster and stay clear, we will no longer be sterilizing pea-soup.
We have tested this theory by hooking up to identical units in 2 identical ponds with same plants and 6-1 ft. KOI in each pond. The results were amazing. The in-line, before the filter, method sterilized the pond faster and kept it clear. The other way worked, but was slow to clear and why the heck wait and keep feeding the dead algae back to the pond Eco-system? You judge for yourself. Either way, if you have problems with algae you just can’t control, get a UV and finally enjoy seeing your fish again.
Most experts agree that UV bulbs loose their efficiency and should be replaced on a yearly basis. We recommend changing your bulb at the beginning of every season. Generally 9 months of continuous usage is the best case.
