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General Reading |
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U.V. Detective Links |
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| U.V. Lights perform two things: |  |
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This makes it a vital component in your ponds filtering system!!! Below, see the internal parts to Emperor Aquatics U.V. Sterilizer |
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| Whether to use a U.V. Light or not. | |
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| I have found many people that think the only purpose for using a U.V. light is to help control the green water Algae. Actually, U.V. Lights perform two functions. Besides being great at destroying the DNA of the Algae that flows through the U.V. Light, which helps clear up the water, it also sterilizes or disinfects the water by killing many types of BAD bacteria that can harm our fish. City water Mechanical and biological filtration does not provide adequate inactivation of harmful pathogenic bacteria and protozoa. Microorganisms in the water flow through filters and can be disinfected by using Ultraviolet radiation, which is what occurs when the water flows through the U.V. Light at the proper flow rate. This is in no way harmful to the fish or pond. Proper placement of a U.V. light should be after the Bio-Filter for optimized performance. Be sure to use one that is the proper size for the pond and understand that killing the pathogenic bacteria and protozoa (Bad Bacteria), is done by using proper flow rates. Be sure to read the U.V. Light manufacturers specification for this information. It usually requires a specific and slow rate of flow. This is the reason some manufactures use the term; Ultraviolet Sterilization. Adding a flow meter in-line with your U.V. sterilizer will help in identify the flow rate. When a reducer is added to the plumbing design, you are able to adjust the flow to the proper rate needed to kill off Algae and bad bacteria. More info on Flow Meters
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| Spring Green Water |
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| During the early spring, the ponds water temperature begins to warm from the winter’s colder temperatures. The ponds nitrifying bacteria dies off or goes dormant till the water reaches into the high 50’s. Once the warming sun begins to warm the water, natures cycle and algae begins to grow. Typical ponds turn green with algae and water clarity diminishes as the algae continue to thrive. Algae growth is caused by an abundant supply of nutrients and sun. This is when most pond keepers make a mistake and consider cleaning the pond. In fact, this is when you don’t clean the pond. The pond is about to clear itself up. Usage of live plants in a pond helps to curb green water since plants compete for the same nitrates. Plants also provide shade, which reduces the water exposure to sun. Also performing regular water changes helps reduce the needed nitrates for Algae to grow. Simplest way to get rid of the waterborne Algae is to install a U.V. Light! Consider reading more in detail: Algae and Your Pond |
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| Plumbing the U.V. Light |
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| Locate after the filter.
Provide a means to adjust the flow to the proper rate. Insure that it is installed per manufacturers specs. Installing shut off valves provides the ability to remove the unit without shutting down the filtering system. |
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| An option to managing the water flow rates through the U.V is to install a U.V. rated to handle the full flow rates returning to the pond. | ||
| U.V. Light with a wiper |
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Emperor Aquatics has released a feature for their line of Ultra Violet Sterilizers. Now available by clicking here, you can purchase your U.V. with a sliding wiper that will clean any slime off the Quartz tube that houses the light bulb. This insures maximum efficiency of Ultra Violet light transmission. Available for Smart UV and Smart HO UV models.
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