An Ultra Violet Clarifier (UVC) can be an effective way to help control algae and green water in a pond. Most units are designed to be fitted in-line between a pump and the main filter. All require a mains supply. UVC units work by exposing the pond water to a powerful ultra-violet light causing the algae cells to die and become clumped together allowing when to caught by the filter. Herts-Aquatics offer a range of UVC units from simple retrofit units for the smaller pond, to high volume professional units designed for larger heavily stocked ponds.
Before purchasing a UVC unit you need to calculate the volume of your pond to ensure the unit matches the size of your pond. Simply multiply the average length by the average width by the average depth and multiply the result by 6.23 for gallons. To get the volume in litres multiply the result by 4.5. Check this figure against the manufacturer's recommend capacity for their unit. As a general guide, a 4 watt unit will normally treat up to 500 gallons (2,250 litres), 8 watt to 1,000 gallons (4,500 litres), 15 watt to 2,000 gallons (9,000 litres), 25 watt to 3,500 gallons (15,750 litres) and 30 watt to 5,000 gallons (22,500 litres).
All UVC units require regular maintenance to ensure they continue to function at their maximum efficiency. Roughly every 6-8 months you should clean the quartz sleeve inside replace the UV fluorescent tube.
