Pond Uv Sterilisers

[Spank]

hi, my cheap internal UV sterilizer isn't the doing the job and gets clogged up with a lot of dead vegitation to I'm going to invest in one that goes inline with my external filter. The Vecton sterilizers are expensive so I was thinking of using a pond sterilizer that's way cheaper as a substitute. Has anyone had any experiance with this and will it work?? the one I'm looking at is a 9W bulb and says it's rated for ponds up to 500Gl.

Cheers
Hank

 

[SuperColey1]

The little filter does get clogged up but it only needs to let water through. I don't use mine as a filter so as long as the water gets through it should still do the job , unless I am totally wrong as per normal. lol

 

[andywg]

As far as I recall there is a completely different void space between water and bulb on the pond units so they will not be as good as the Vecton units at pathogen control.

Can you not fit some sort of pre filter to stop detritus getting into the smaller UV unit? Or (assuming the UV is for algae based issues) can you look into the imbalance in nutrients causing the problems?

 

[SuperColey1]

I think he is talking about the fish r fun or simialr UV sterilizer. If so there is a small blue filter pad stopping any rubbish getting into the unit.

Its not meant to be used as a stand alone filter so it doesn't really matter that it gets covered with small bits of plant or the odd flake off food, as long as the water is geting through to be sterilized.

I find that when I do my water change and clear the filter of 'scum' within minutes of putting it back in it has some bits back on it and I just see that as the pad doing its job.

My water is clear, although it probs would be without the UV so I assume it is doing its job. Its pushing water out so it must be taking it in.

I don't see any way around it other than never feeding and not having plants. lol

My filter pad is pointing towards the back of the tank and the unit itself is in the back corner, so the 'unsightliness' of the 'dirty' pad can't be seen.