W
hen we refer to UV Protection it has nothing to do with the sun or getting sunburned. It has everything to do with how to protect your UV through winter’s harsh environment. Last spring we sold a slew of replacement bulbs and glass sleeves. Don’t get us wrong — we appreciate the business — but we’d rather you spend your money with us on something you’d enjoy like another fish instead of replacement parts on existing equipment.When water freezes inside the UV unit it expands and cracks the delicate quartz sleeve that protects the lamps from water. Once water seeps into even a hairline crack in the sleeve it will blow the lamp. We feel that the general belief has been that if water runs through the unit it can’t freeze so folks are leaving the unit intact all winter although it may be unplugged and not being used. The problem with this practice is that if you lose electrical power during a freeze the water inside the UV freezes, expands and bursts the quartz sleeve.
This was the case last January in Georgia when we experienced two winter storms in one week. Many of us lost our power and, in turn, our quartz sleeves in the UV’s. The Doc and I were out of town during both the storms and, as fate would have it, no precautions were taken to protect the UV units while we were gone. Needless to say, we lost every quartz sleeve exposed to the weather then the lamps as well. It was quite an expensive mistake.
The best way to protect the unit is to remove it and take it inside for the winter. Quick disconnects can be installed to make this easier. You could also remove the lamp and quartz sleeve. If you do, be extremely careful when handling. They break at the slightest movement. A few folks are trying to insulate around the unit. The jury is still out on this technique.
Cold water naturally holds a higher dissolved oxygen content so the pump does not need to be turned on during cold conditions. You can turn the pump off then turn it on only during warm spells such as those that are not uncommon for Georgia winters. The important thing to remember with the UV is to drain the unit before turning off the pump for any length of time during the cold months.
Replacement lamps and sleeves can be expensive. Protect your investment and save that money for a new fish instead!
From The
Pond Construction Edition of What's Up, Doc?, September 2000
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