In order for a UV to function properly, you must:
1) Have a quartz sleeve, This is a tube that goes around the lamp.
This allows the UV lamp to get to the proper operating temperature of 108F.
If aquarium water is allowed to come in contact with the lamp, it cannot work as expected.
If glass or teflon used instead of a quartz sleeve, the UV lamps rays will not penetrate the system water as required.
2) It is essential to have the proper amount of system water pass by a UV tube.
We found 24 watts at 150 gph, on a 200 gallon aquarium.
3) UV lamps last about 10-11 months of continual operation. After that time, they must be changed out.
4) UV lamps must be matched to the proper transformer. If an incorrect transformer is controlling current to the lamp, the lamp cannot function at maximum performance.
5) When we changed lamps (every 10 months), we witnessed clearer water.
This aquarium was heavily stocked with marine fish.
Cheers.
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