UV sterilizers.

Discussion in 'General Gardening Discussion' started by Doghouse Riley, May 30, 2010.

  1. Doghouse Riley

    Doghouse Riley Head Gardener

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    Anyone had a problem with green water with the recent many days of bright sun, despite having one of these?

    I made my own 25 years ago and it's still going strong, but I think some come with a 15 watt tube. The fitting should be able to take a 25 watt tube which is what I use and therefore gives the germicidal effect a bit more "oomph!"
     
  2. kindredspirit

    kindredspirit Gardening around a big Puddle. :)

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    I have 25 watt bulbs and the water in the pond is crystal clear BUT in the last few days isolated clouds of baby blanket weed have formed in areas that are exposed to full sun all day.

    You can't pull it out with a rake because it's so new that it slips through the tines. It's a nuisance. I know you can get a chemical to disperse it but I'll probably wait a month or so until it coagulates more and then, hopefully, I'll be able to rake it out.
     
  3. watergarden

    watergarden have left the forum because...i'm a sad case

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    My 2p worth.

    The wattage of the tube you can use depends on:
    1) If it will physically fit.
    There are a variety of lamp sizes available. Also some are "single ended" as in a compact fluorescent, and some are “double ended” as in a normal fluorescent tube. They are not interchangeable.

    2) Will the "switch gear" be able to cope with it. (Is the choke and starter rated for the size of lamp)

    I should also like to mention that a U.V. in a pond system is NOT a steriliser. They cause the algae to "flocculate" (clump together), which is then removed (or trapped) in the filter layers of the biological filter.
    They never have and never will kill / prevent blanket weed. Blanket weed is a small plant, the only way to remove it that works, is with a stick.
     
  4. Doghouse Riley

    Doghouse Riley Head Gardener

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    Well here's my 3d.

    Let's not confuse people with "1"

    I'm pretty sure most could work that out for themselves.
    The 15 watt and 25 watt bi-pin "conventional" fluorescent tubes used in many of these units are exactly the same size.
    If the chokes and starters are similar to those which were in common usage as downlighters below kitchen cabinets as was mine, they can handle either 15watt or 25watt without a problem. The starters usually have the range of their rating on them anyway.


    The tubes used are "germicidal" as used in hospital air handling/conditioning systems.

    I agree, they'll only clear green water.

    For blanket weed you need a "death ray."
     
  5. NatalieB

    NatalieB Gardener

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    And I can get a death ray from where DoghouseRiley? lol I have just spent an hour out by the pond twirling with a stick, but having to be very careful to make sure no tadpoles get caught up in it. Last night there was lots of the 'green foam' on top of the water, but that all seems to have disappeared this morning.
     
  6. Doghouse Riley

    Doghouse Riley Head Gardener

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    Well, the government once asked Watson-Watt to make one, but all he came up with was radar.
     
  7. kev25v6

    kev25v6 Gardener

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    Aqua pure will help with blanket weed. It kills off the blanket weeds food source or something along them lines, either way it does work well.
     

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