What You Need To Know About Ultraviolet Clarifiers

Ultraviolet clarifiers are used in many of today’s Koi ponds. There are a couple of myths floating around about them, however, and we want to bring your attention to them.

• Myth number one: ALL of the microorganisms and algae in the biological cycle will be killed via clarifier lights and UV sterilizers.
• Myth number two: A ‘UV pond filter’ is another way of referring to clarifiers and UV sterilizers.

Though for drinking water, ultraviolet light (or UV light) has been used in the past for sterilization, for a number of years now, it has also been used to control algae in ponds and aquariums. Now let’s take a look at some necessary information regarding the above-stated myths, clarifiers, and more.

Myth Number One – Killing ALL of the Bacteria

Plain and simple, it is impossible to kill all of the beneficial bacteria in your pond when you sterilize it with a UV clarifier. This is possibly one of the biggest misconceptions involved with ultraviolet sterilizers and clarifiers. Within your biological filter, there will always be beneficial bacteria because not all of the water passes through the ultraviolet sterilizers or clarifiers. Additionally, beneficial bacteria remain on gravel, rocks, the liner, and throughout the pond.

What Does UV Accomplish?

When it comes to harmful microscopic organisms and harmful bacteria, when properly sized for your flow rate and pond, UV will reduce them. It also destroys, and very efficiently, single cell algae cells.

But as clear as ultraviolet sterilizers and clarifies make the water in your pond, it does not filter it. Don’t be fooled by that clear water! To break down dead algae, and ammonia given off by the fish, you must use a biological filter. This will work in combination with your ultraviolet sterilizer/clarifier.

The Difference Between Ultraviolet Sterilizers and Clarifiers

When sized as a clarifier, a UV will likely require a decent number of plants to assist it with providing crystal-clear water. On the other hand, even without plants in your pond, you can have crystal clear water if the UV is sized for sterilization. Then again, you will have a healthier pond with plants, so don’t short yourself in the plant category.

And as just mentioned, neither clarifiers nor sterilizers function as a filter. This should help to clear up myth number two.

It is undeniably beneficial to your pond to add UV. But before you decide on which UV to go with, do yourself a favor and research the topic extensively. As long as you don’t overfeed or overstock your fish, have adequate water changes and circulation, use plants, and have good filtration, a balanced ecosystem can be maintained. And that clean water will be far more likely to give you a crystal-clear view of your beautiful fish.

Beware Miracle Products

Just a quick mention of products that claim that you can do away with your UV light by having a naturally balanced pond or using this or that product. Erroneous and misleading claims are made by manufacturers all the time. Might there be a miracle product out there? Possibly. But here’s the thing. All of the products that we carry at Everything Koi are designed to work together with each other in order to provide you and your Koi fish with a clean, well-balanced, enjoyable pond. Take one aspect away and you’re likely to mess up the works.

Do your research, contact a knowledgeable individual, ask all the right questions, and there is every chance that you will succeed.

At Everything Koi, we carry a little item called the EVO 30W UV ultraviolet clarifier. If you have any questions about UV clarifiers, balancing your pond, choosing Koi fish, or any other Koi fish related query, do not hesitate to contact us via email or call us at 908- 420-9908.