U.v lights yes or no

Do you use u.v clarifier(s) or sterilizer(s) for alge control? this debate is an eternal one and is cause for many strong opinions. i would love to know,as would others here. how many of us ,on this forum use them.

i only use mine for about a week or so in the early season ..if the water starts going green, turn it on.. let it clear the water and let it run a few extra days. i then clean it, pack it up, and put it away for the season. i only use it for a short time and its only a 9 watt but for my purposes it serves me well and cost is minimal as it only draws 9.75 watts. basically i just shorten a natural cycle. in the 2 seasons ive used it , its been run less than 20 or 25 days total. if it continues to work as well it will outlast me,without a bulb replacement even.

yes i use a uv light, had very green water because pond in full sun all day it cleared it up in days so have used it ever since

i would not be without one. Works splendidly and have never had any type of algae or green water issues. I change the bulb every spring when I open the pond, and I leave it on all the time. I've heard too many poeple comment that turning it on and off shortens the lifespan of thebulb, so I just leave it on. Mine is 20 watts and sits inside my pressure filter.

a bulb is good for 11 months and starts loosing effectiveness after 8. continuous on and offs will shorten the life of any bulb.. i turn it on once and off once a year about 7 to 10 days apart and you can read the paper thru my water. and i get over 10 hours of sun eveyday all summer

if you're only turning it on and off twice, I would bet you can get at least two years out of it then.

I run it for 7 to 10 days a year, thats it ... ONCE ON .. THEN OFF... it will last longer than i will at this rate...

I run HO UV's 24/7/365

Love it........worth every cent.

I use one. I don't believe the manufactures claims of replacing the bulb every year. It's another way to get money from me. Florescent lights last a very long time and the output drop is very slow and gradual and I believe the wavelength has more to do with killing algae than the small drop in light intensity.