The Pond Guy UltraUV Pond Water Clarifier, EPA Registered UV Light, 36 Watt

Founded in 1994, The Pond Guy has grown from a small family business into America's trusted source for pond, lake, and water garden products. Whether it's a backyard koi pond, a peaceful water garden, or a family lake, we're passionate about helping people enjoy the water they love. Every product is designed, developed, and tested by our team to deliver quality you can trust, so you can spend more time creating lasting memories outdoors. Jason Blake, like most entrepreneurs, started small. Jason grew up working in his grandfather’s apple orchard, where he was tasked with keeping algae from clogging the pumps in the irrigation ponds. While this was a daunting assignment for any teenager, Jason soon realized that if he could control the algae, it would keep the pumps clean and he would have a place to swim, fish, and play hockey. In 1994, what began as a family task became a passion for 15-year-old Jason. As word spread through his small town, neighbors began asking for his help caring for their ponds. Before long, he needed an employee who had two essential things he didn't have—a truck and a driver's license. That simple decision marked the humble beginning of a company built on hard work, family values, and a love for helping people enjoy their ponds. In 1996, Jason graduated high school and continued growing his pond business while attending Michigan State University. That same year, he officially named it The Pond Guy. By 1998, his passion for helping pond owners grew beyond his hometown. Between classes, homework, & customer visits, Jason created a mail-order catalog so families across the country could enjoy the same trusted products & proven pond care he shared with his local customers. Today, nearly 200 team members share the same passion for helping customers create and enjoy beautiful ponds. From a small hometown business to serving all 50 states and 10 countries, our commitment to people has never changed. Our mission is to help the world enjoy ponds by being passionate, knowledgeable and providing innovative solutions. The Pond Guy UltraUV is the ideal choice for small backyard koi ponds, water gardens, and fishponds that suffer from excessive green water caused by planktonic algae. Planktonic algae (the source of pea soup algae blooms) is floating, microscopic plants that color pond water shades of green, blue-green, brown, or variations in between. In controlled amounts, this type of algae can actually be beneficial. It's considered the start of the food chain as the tiny plants feed pond inhabitants such as fish. In uncontrolled amounts, however, planktonic algae can cause oxygen depletions and fish kill. UV clarifiers are designed to destroy the ultrafine planktonic algae that causes green water. The ultraviolet light radiation destroys the algae’s cellular wall, leaving you with clear water all season. The durable vortex design of the UltraUV channels incoming water around the UV bulb several times for maximum light exposure. UV clarifiers are designed to destroy the ultrafine algae particles that cause green water. Once killed, the dead particles clump together and are then removed by your mechanical filter. Please note that UV Clarifiers do not treat filamentous algae or Chara. The durable vortex design of the UltraUV channels incoming water around the UV bulb several times for maximum exposure before exiting. When the algae cells are exposed to the bulb's ultraviolet rays, radiation destroys the plants' cellular walls. The UltraUV step-down fitting connections offer options for use with 3/4", 1", 1-1/4" and 1-1/2" kink-free tubing (sold separately). For optimum performance, fittings can be cut down to the largest connection that will work with your plumbing. Pump Size Selection When sizing a water pump for a UV clarifier, you want the flow rate to be just right. A UV clarifier works by destroying the algae that passes through the unit. Water moving too fast means that the cell wall is not exposed to UV light long enough to do damage. Move the water too slowly, and it becomes a sterilizer, removing everything – including your beneficial bacteria. Each manufacturer has different recommendations for their unit, so the best bet is to choose a pump that is close to, but not greater than, the maximum flow rate. Keep in mind, if you have a large pump to power a waterfall or other feature, you may need a separate pump for your UV Clarifier. There are combination options available where The Pond Guy UltraUV is sold with the appropriately-sized SolidFlo pump, removing the guesswork from water pump and clarifier compatibility. Installation The UltraUV should be placed outside of the pond where it can rest horizontally away from water puddles. To protect the pond clarifier from the outside elements and to camouflage the unit to blend in with your landscape, we recommend covering it with a faux rock cover. When considering the flow of your pond water, we recommend installing the pond clarifier after the water passes through a sponge filter or skimmer to minimize debris coming in contact with the UltraUV and before a biological clarifier like a waterfall filter box. When to Use For best results, run the UltraUV 24 hours a day from spring to fall. In colder climates, we recommend removing the unit and storing it indoors during freezing conditions. Maintenance We recommend changing your UV bulb once per season to ensure full power. The quartz sleeve should be cleaned yearly or when water clarity is reduced. Will this unit get rid of ALL forms of algae? No. The Pond Guy Ultra UV Pond Clarifier is designed to treat green water problems caused by planktonic algae. It will not treat string or filamentous algae or bottom-growing Chara. Does the UltraUV require a separate water pump? Yes. When sizing a pump for a UV clarifier, you want the flow rate to be just right. Each manufacturer has different recommendations for their unit, so the best bet is to choose a pump that is close to, but not greater than, the maximum flow rate. If you want to remove the guesswork from water pump selection, consider our combination options, where The Pond Guy UltraUV is sold with the appropriately-sized SolidFlo pump. What kind of tubing does this unit connect to? The unit has step-down fitting connections that offer options for use with 3/4", 1", 1-1/4" and 1-1/2" kink-free tubing (sold separately). Fittings can be cut down to the largest connection that will work with your plumbing. How long does the bulb last? We recommend changing your UV bulb once per season to ensure full power. Does the UV clarifier need a cover? We recommend covering the UV unit with a faux rock to protect it from the elements and harsh weather. Enjoy crystal-clear pond water, right in your backyard.