UV bulb question

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Hi,

I was wondering if anyone would know the answer to this. I have a 4500 gallon pond. A pond supply store installed an AQUA A00070 uv light fixture with a 57w bulb in it. It is not doing the job. I think I need to upgrade to either a 114w or 120w bulb. I've read the charts on AQUA's website. It looks to me that the 57w isn't enough. My question is, can I buy just the bulb, the bulb and transformer or do I need a whole new unit?

Thank you for any info on this. :)
 
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Hi,

I was wondering if anyone would know the answer to this. I have a 4500 gallon pond. A pond supply store installed an AQUA A00070 uv light fixture with a 57w bulb in it. It is not doing the job. I think I need to upgrade to either a 114w or 120w bulb. I've read the charts on AQUA's website. It looks to me that the 57w isn't enough. My question is, can I buy just the bulb, the bulb and transformer or do I need a whole new unit?

Thank you for any info on this. :)
Do you know what your flow rate going through your UV filter is.....I have an Aqua UV 57 watt and it works great on a 3000 gallon pond but I have a "Throttling valve" that allows part of the water to go through the UV filter and slows the water down gives the UV a chance to kill the algae
 

sissy

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geeze all I have on mine is a 18 watt one and pond is just over 5000 gallons IT is the ballast that would be a problem it may only be good on the bulb you have
 
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Thanks for the replies. :)

Flow rate is 3000 gph.

I'm in Florida and the pond is is full sun. It clears up some during the night, but as soon as the sun hits it, the water turns green.
 
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I don't really want to cover it up. I like the sun! :)

It has a liner, but the guy that installed the uv light told me I had a natural pond. It looks natural. And, to be clear, I'm not looking to have crystal clear water. I would be happy with being able to see down about a foot and a half.

Is 3000gph too high for a 114w bulb as well? I'm hoping changing to a a higher wattage bulb will do the trick. Changing bulbs are easy. I cannot change the whole unit by myself. I know nothing about plumbing and we don't have a local pond store here. Pool place maybe?
 

morewater

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If your flow rate through the UV unit is too high, the UV is doing nothing. I think that your cheapest and most effective option would be to disconnect the UV from its current plumbing configuration and to put it in as a stand-alone unit, being fed from a separate, smaller pump. JMO.
 

Meyer Jordan

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I need to retract what I posted earlier. For an Aqua 57, a flow rate of 3000 gph is OK. According to Aqua this size unit should handle clarifying up to a 3000 pond providing that it is in part shade and has 50% plant coverage.
In answer to your original question, you must replace the entire unit.
What is the current Nitrate and Phosphorus levels in your pond?
Since these nutrients would be what is feeding this algae growth, I would investigate controlling them before spending more money on a larger UV.
 
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Called AQUA UV lights yesterday and found out that I cannot fit a more powerful bulb than the 57w in the A00070 unit. She also told me the 57w bulb is not enough for a 4500 gal pond. She said I need a 114w system. However, I can buy another 57w unit and attach it to the one I already have. The water just needs more time in the light.

Thank you. :)
 

Meyer Jordan

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I love it when companies contradict their own published data.
aqua uv 2.jpg
aqqua uv.jpg

Both charts plainly state that the Aqua 57 is good for ponds up to 6500 gallons when used as a clarifier and that the maximum allowable flow rate is 3250 gph. @Swamp Lady's pond is well within these guidelines.
Another case where a companies product(s) does not live up to its advertised claims.
 

sissy

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They just sell it and don't care .It is always about the money .If my 18 watt does the job on a 5000 gallon and it works and I spent less than 30 dollars with 2 extra bulbs then why should a 57 watt one not work .Is there another issue with the pond that is not not known .
 

Ruben Miranda

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Hello
How old is this bulb they do lose there inefficiently
I here or read that change bulb every year I change mine every 2 years

When is the last time you cleans the glass in side the uv, this can also hinder it.

Reading threw your post I forget the name of the Algea
But you stated that durring the day the water,turns green and at night it clears. Sounds like the algae if floating up when the sun comes up and then sinks at night. That means it is not going threw the uv to kill it.
Or it is growing faster then you uv can handle.

I would start at what is feeding this algae.
Water temp
Ammonia
Nitrates
Phosphates
All of the above.

Ruben
 
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I've got an 8000 gallon pond and the 57 watt works just fine. Turn the flow down. I have a valve on mine just for that purpose. A uv needs time and proximity to the algae nucleus to kill it. The slower and closer the better.
 

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