New Article; UV Sterilizer Questions Answered

[Carl]

I added a new post to my Aquarium & Pond UV Sterilizer Blog/Web Site

This article answers questions I have received about the placement of a UV Sterilizer in relation to a filter in a pond and the question of UV Sterilization and copepods in reef tanks

UV Sterilizer Questions Answered

Carl

[goldenpuon]

Thanks for posting this article about UV sterilizers. I found the 1st question very helpful if I ever were to get a UV sterilizer. But I do have a question about it.

You said that it is best to have a filter installed BEFORE adding a UV sterilizer. You said that clumped algae and "sludge" will build up on a UV sterilizer if there is no pre-filtration. So, to my question... If there is no filter (water movement) in the the tank (say a 2 gallon betta bowl) that you install the UV sterilizer, does that mean that it won't work as well and also form clumped algae on it?

Just wondering if it is the actual water movement caused my the filter that increases the Uv sterilizer's effective.

I liked your article by the way. Nice read.

[Carl]

I am not sure I understand your question.

Clumping is what happens to free floating algae when it passes through a UV Sterilizer, usually at rates of 20 to 45 gph per watt.

Sludge is what builds up in a UV, generally in a pond and generally more so without a pre-filter.

All UV Sterilizers must have water movement through them to work, as well with static water they can over heat.

Carl

[goldenpuon]

I'm not sure if I understood what a pre-filter is too maybe. Do you mean filter cartridge?

The question I was asking before was "If there was no filter in the aquarium/pond, will UV sterilizer get clumped algae in it?" I may have been mixing up the filter itself and filter cartridge. So, if I'm guessing right that a pre-filter is a filter carbon or cartridge and not the actual filter itself, I would guess that without a filter and filter cartridge (pre-filter), algae would build up on the UV sterilizer.

Did I get it right? If so, I answered my own question. I hope you are able to follow this.

[Carl]

A pre-filter refers to filtration before (or post filtration after the UV Sterilizer).

As noted in the article a UV Sterilizer is more efficient when the water is filtered prior to entering the sterilizer, so this refers to any filter, although the more efficient at "polishing" the water the better for UV efficiency.

Sludge buildup is much more rare in aquariums than in ponds, however particulates can still make a UV less efficient and since UVs are generally used for pathogen eradication in an aquarium vs. green floating algae in a pond, this takes more UVC efficiency so filtering water first is still very important and why tanks that used a micron filter prior to UV Sterilization were the most efficient in my tests.

Carl

[goldenpuon]

I understand now. A filter with a UV sterilizer is better than none (especially prior to the UV's installation). And sludge rarely builds up in indoor fish tanks. Thanks for clarifying.