How to install & maintain ultraviolet (UV) clarifiers for your pond

Maintaining optimal performance
Ensure effective performance by replacing the UV bulbs every two seasons, or eleven months, whether or not the light still glows. It’s helpful to keep a record of when the bulb was purchased. Refer to the packaging and instructions on recommended flow rate for water to pass through the clarifier as it relates to the size in gallons of your pond. Remember, moving half your pond volume through the clarifier every hour is generally considered ideal.

Throughout the water gardening season, UV clarifiers can run constantly except during maintenance. It’s best to disconnect the unit, remove the inlet and outlet hoses, and drain any residual water when cleaning the UV clarifier.

During the winter months, protect UV clarifiers from frost by draining and storing them indoors. If temperatures in your region deem it necessary, you can run the clarifier year-round.
Installation & Safety
When it comes to installation, place the UV clarifier where it won’t be flooded. It is waterproof, but should never be submerged in water. We suggest mounting it onto a dry flat surface, like the lid of the canister pond filter. And always connect the UV unit to a GFI outlet or circuit to protect against shock.

The bulbs and their glass sleeves are very fragile, so be careful—and patient—when assembling the unit or changing a bulb. While the connections must fit securely, forcing the bulb can result in breakage—which is certainly no fun to clean up or to replace. When handling the bulb, avoid touching it with bare hands and remove any fingerprints using a clean cloth. The bulbs are sensitive, and even natural oils from your skin can cause the bulb to overheat and shorten its life.

UV bulbs are also extremely powerful and emit harmful ultraviolet light, so never look directly at the unshielded bulb. To monitor the light, always look through the opaque window on the outer housing.
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