I finally got around to purchasing a UV sterilizer despite the fact that the cooler weather has been effective in fighting algae. I had the opportunity recently to purchase a 120 watt UV sterilizer at near half price of $700, but figured I could buy alot of algaefix for that amount. I was surfing ebay the other day and found a Chinese brand UV sterilizer with 55watts for $79 + 20 shipping. So I modified my plan and added it to my box filter line which has about a 2000 gallon per hour flow. Not all my pond water will flow through it but the volume is close to full pond turnover per hour. 55watts at 2000 gph gives me 36 watts per gallon which should suffice for algae killing. I may not use the UV during the winter, but I have turned it on for now and hope to see a change in clarity since algae keeps sneaking back in due to the amount of warmth and sunshine here in the southern USA.
Plumbing
I installed two 2×1.5 Ts on the main line to the filter box. from the 1.5 side I added a single union ball valve which connects via female threaded adapter to the UV. I have a valve going in and coming out in-case I need to remove the UV for maintenance I can shut off the flow through the Tees. Between the Tees I added another ball valve so I can control flow through the main pipe and force some of the water through the UV.
The UV is only 1.5 inch piping so I could not direct all the flow through it without reducing overall flow to my filter.
Costs:
UV Sterilizer – $99
plumbing parts – $35 – the union ball valves were about $9 each.
time- 2 hours disassembling reassembling
Jebao CW-55
This is not a strong sturdy piece of equipment. The plastic housing is rather thin and I will need to be careful not to step on it. I thought about mounting it on a board for additional stability but the ground is level where it sits. It should work like other UVs though, and for 1/5th the price of other 55Watt UVs I can replace it if it breaks. Bulbs are readily available when I need to replace it. I would recommend it to anyone on a tight budget. Standard US female threaded PVC adapters seem to fit this unit if you don’t want to use the barbed fittings that come with it.
Changing Bulbs
This is a bit of a challenge. Mine did not want to open. IF you press in the button on the side then twist counter clockwise about 1/12th rotation, it should come apart. There is a catch that locks it horizontally. Then you have to remove the threaded cylinder that holds the outer glass tube. Once the glass tube is removed the bulb merely unplugs. Be gentle so you don’t break the glass tube but forceful enough to remove it.
UPDATES:
After 12 hours of running I can see the bottom again. Still not perfectly clear but better than yesterday.
After 3 days the water is very clear but still has a green tinge.
After 1 week of running no more green colored water at all. It was so easy to clean the mats in my bio filter. No real dead algae debris either.
4 Months later, The unit has worked well but the uv bulb has burned out, possibly due to ice or condensation on extremely cold day. Replacement bulb $28.
AFTER 3 Years of service the housing developed a leak at one of the seams where another piece of plastic is welded on. the weld was a thin are in the housing so I assume the water pressure overtime broke through the slit. The quarter inch slit was losing 200 gallons per day. Time to buy another.
I just got the Jebao CW55. After installation I turned the water on and I got plenty of water flowing through the sterilizer. But I do not see the bluish light through the little glass cap. On the top of the sterilizer is a little knob. I tried to press it several times but I did not see any light. So I do not know if the sterilizer is working or not. The instruction manual does not say anything about the little knob – look lie a pushbutton – alsi does not say how to open the cap if I want to see the working condition. Of course I am aware do not look into the bulb when is lit because it could hurt my eye for ever – blindness. Let me know how it is safe to open the cap if I nedd to change the sterilizer bulb?
Sincerely yours, Charles
Somerset, NJ
You may have a dead bulb. It does take a few minutes for it to become bright and you should be able to see it in the windowed glass cap. If you can check it out at night it is easier to see. You can also remove your unit and plug it in elsewhere like a darkened garage to see if the light is visible. Else, Try taking it apart and inspecting the bulb. If this is a new unit and the bulb is dead, contact the seller and see if you can get a replacement bulb for free.
The button is merely used to release the inner locking catch. Hold it down and twist the top about 1/8 turn counter-clockwise. I put it flat on a table with the corded end hanging off, hold the long end down with my left hand and turn the top with my right. It takes about as much force as opening a vacuum sealed jar the first time.
Good luck and happy ponding.