Ultra Violet Lights For Ponds - Are They Helpful?
Posted by Jack Walker on March 31st, 2008
In general, ponds have progressed along for millennia without the need for ultraviolet lights, so the question remains; why should the modern pond keeper bother with them at all? Well, ponds of that time period were not subject to the same type of environmental pollutants as they are in today's environment.
In nature, ponds were either just temporary (came along merely for a few weeks during the rainy season and then eventually dried up) or were connected to moving bodies of water such as aboveground or underground springs, streams, rivers and creeks.
Additionally, during that time period there were not that many chemicals in the environment as there are in today's environment. Ultraviolet lights for ponds have turned into a modern necessity to help maintain the health of the ponds in today's modern environment.
What Do They Do?
Even though aquariums require artificial lighting to imitate daylight for the fish, you do not require any type of artificial lights for fish ponds. However ultraviolet lights are primarily used to sterilize as well as filter pond water. This type of technology is also utilized in various industries, by doctors to get sterile water and by campers as well as armed forces for sterilizing their drinking water. Ultraviolet lights for ponds burn out the algae.
Algae are the bane of any type of aquarium for pond. It is a type of invasive menace kind of like The Blob for water environments. The shade of green may look pretty to some, however it will end up sucking up all the oxygen as well as any nutrients contained in the water, making any other plant, fish or critter very dead. Algae also has a tendency to stink after a period of time, while even fish that are healthy inside of good pond water have no detectable odor whatsoever.
What Doesn't It Do?
Ultraviolet lights for ponds will not entirely sterilize a complete pond full of water. Nothing can live for any extended period of time in totally sterile water. The water needs to always contains some type of beneficial bacteria within it. Some beneficial types of bacteria may be killed, but not in enough quantity to harm your pond.
Ultraviolet light for ponds are also not an adequate substitute for a normal filter. Its primary purpose is the destruction of algae, not filtering all the harmful bacteria. Of course it can make the pond water look very clear, but clear water still may be unhealthy for your plants or your fish.
Choosing Properly
Ultraviolet lights for ponds function best when the size of the light is properly chosen for the pond. While it may be tempting to buy the smallest and least expensive of of the ultraviolet lights for ponds available, most of the time it won't do an adequate job. Because most manufacturers do not make the same strength or types of UV lights, it is best to check what the box says to see how many gallons a UV light it can handle safely.
To learn more go to Courtyard Fountains and Ponds advice and at Building Ponds tips.
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