General Device Questions

What are the components of the UV device?

The UV device is simple, yet very effective. It is comprised of a UV lamp(s) powered by a ballast(s) and housed within a protective quartz sleeve. Water passes through a wet chamber which provides the point of contact for the UV energy.

What is the difference between LP and MP? Which one is used on residential pools?

What is the difference between LC10 and LC20?

The BioLab UV LC20 utilizes a dual lamp system that is encompassed by a stainless steel 316L body. It is ideal for any chlorine chemical program, except pools equipped with a chlorine generator. The BioLab UV LC10 utilizes a higher power single lamp system contained inside a PVC housing, which makes it perfect for saline chlorination.

How do I know when my UV lamp is on?

The outlet of the UV chamber contains a clear sight glass that will glow when the UV lamp is on. In addition, the LC20 unit comes equipped with LED indicator lights on its cap that designate whether each lamp is working properly. The lamp creates a closed circuit that illuminates the indicator light only when the lamp is lit. The lamps are similar to fluorescent lamps in that their intensity will decrease as they get to the end of their lifespan.

Will a time clock on my pool shorten the lamp life?

Yes, if your timer is scheduled to cycle many times during the day, then the on/off frequency will shorten the life of the lamp. At a minimum, a continuous daily 10-12 hour pump run time is recommended. The ultraviolet lamps are designed for 13,000 hours of continuous use or to be switched on 1,000 times; i.e. approximately 2-3 years for a seasonal outdoor pool, or 1-2 year for an indoor pool operating 24 hours a day.

What is the minimum pump run time when using a UV device?

The recommended pump run time when using a UV device is the same as with any other program, 10-12 hours minimum per day.

Do metals impact the effectiveness of the UV device?

Yes, iron has a significant absorbance at 254 nm, which causes it to interfere with the UV transmission and possibly precipitate onto the surface of the quartz sleeve. For most effective use with pools filled with well water, test the water for metals. If metals are present turn off your unit, sequester them, filter them out using a filter aid and chemically clean the filter. After the metals are completely removed from the water, the UV device can be turned back on.

Are copper based algaecides compatible with UV systems?

Yes, copper based algaecides are compatible with our UV systems.

Will cloudy water reduce the effectiveness of the UV?

Yes, cloudy water will interfere with UV transmittance and reduce the effectiveness of the device. This is why it is important to take a proactive approach to maintain proper water balance and your filtration system.

What is transmittance?

Transmittance is the amount of light that passes through a substance. Cloudy or hazy water will not be treated as effectively as properly balanced, clear water.

What do I do if I get cloudy water?

The UV devices lose effectiveness in turbid water above 0.5 NTU. If your water becomes cloudy, chemically clean the filter and apply a water clarifer according to label directions.

Can I use the UV device in areas of high calcium, where there is a potential for scaling?

Yes, hard water does not reduce the transmittance of the UV light; however, a more frequent maintenence regimen must be employed to ensure that any scale buildup is cleaned off of the quartz sleeve.

I have an attached spa on my pool; can I still install a UV device?

Yes, as long as the UV device is installed in the pool line before the heater and there is at least 0.5 psi operating pressure within the vessel itself. Some spas may require the 5 psi replacement pressure switch, which is dependent upon their size. Please refer back to your UV dealer for more information.

Can a UV device be used on a pool that also has an ozonator?

Yes, as long as the ozonator is installed after the UV device. UV light at 254 nm will destroy ozone, so you will get limited effectiveness of the ozonator if installed before the UV system.