UV filter question

[PonderingPonds]

I added a UV filter to our pond this spring to prevent any issues with green water and to get rid of anything harmful in the water. I have been running it 24/7 but I'm wondering how often others who use UV filtering run the lamps for? I'm starting to think I can leave it off until needed or maybe put it on a timer and only run it for a fraction of the day. Would love to know your thoughts on the matter.
Thanks.

 

[Waterbug]

The manufacturer should rate the life of the bulb.

Putting a UV on a timer generally makes the UV worthless unless may the UV is way larger than needed. The time off allows the targets a chance to reproduce.

For green water there is a chance that bacteria and macro algae that kill green water algae could reproduce enough to kill new green water algae. Doesn't always work. To check you turn off the UV a couple weeks after water clears and see if the water stays clear. If it does the UV can be kept off until the green returns which could be a long time.

UV's only kill a significant amount of bacteria is run as a sterilizer, which is just a lower flow. Manufacturer set the flow level for sterilizer. However, most, if not all, bacteria and parasites that can harm fish are not free floating and so wouldn't be effected by a UV. If you're concerned keeping a pond spotless, no plants, etc., is how numbers of harmful creatures are limited.

 

[PonderingPonds]

Thanks for the info Waterbug, suppose I'll leave it off for a while and see what happens. It actually reduces the flow to the waterfall slightly when I divert some of the water through it.
I thought having plants in the water, benefit the water by removing some of the impurties, but you're saying they actually add some as well? I guess the leaves, that could end up rotting on the bottom?

 

[addy1]

Here is a view of my pond water, no uv, just plants, plants, plants in the water and out of the water. I have not swept or cleaned the bottom since 3/1/12 when I turned on the pond from its winter sleep. I like plants in my pond, think they help a lot with water quality and no electricity cost.

 

[j.w]

Sparking clear water!

 

[Waterbug]

I thought having plants in the water, benefit the water by removing some of the impurties, but you're saying they actually add some as well? I guess the leaves, that could end up rotting on the bottom?

Plants are great for water gardens. Really bad in Koi ponds.

Plants do remove things like nitrate which can be a problem at high levels. But generally algae consume most nitrate because they just flat out grow more cells faster than higher plants. Underwater plants produce O2 during the day but consume it at night so for many ponds that's a problem. And yes, leaves rot which consumes O2 and breaks down into tiny bits of suspended matter which over time will cloud water and as these decompose further they're called DOCs which lowers the quality of water and can present as foam on the surface.

 

[PonderingPonds]

Thanks again Waterbug for the useful info.

Addy, Enjoyed the Video, pond is looking good, an under water fish cam!? how cool is that!

 

[addy1]

koi don't like plants, well actually they love plants, to eat, tear up move around.

I have only gold fish and shubunkins, so my plants are fine.
Glad you enjoyed it pondering, I tend to disagree with his comments about plants in ponds, I have tons of plants in the pond, leaves die, break off, flowers petals, etc. I don't have the foamy stuff on the surface or cloudy water. But to each their own, some will have plants in the water some will not. I chose to have them with my fish.

 

[j.w]

A pond w/o plants is like a day w/o sunshine and you know how much I don't like that scenario!
My fish would be so bored w/o the plants to nibble on and play under and lay their eggs. They can hide from critters also and gives them shade. Always will have plants in my ponds!

 

[addy1]

A pond w/o plants is like a day w/o sunshine and you know how much I don't like that scenario!
My fish would be so bored w/o the plants to nibble on and play under and lay their eggs. They can hide from critters also and gives them shade. Always will have plants in my ponds!

me too

 

[johnnyi]

Absolutely!

 

[brandonsdad02]

Its not a pond without plants. The more plants the better IMO.

 

[Waterbug]

Not a water garden without plants.

 

[addy1]

per the net, which of course could be a lie or a stretch of truth or true, take your pick

A pond is a body of standing water, either natural or man-made, that is usually smaller than a lake. They may arise naturally in floodplains as part of a river system, or they may be somewhat isolated depressions (examples include vernal pools and prairie potholes). Usually they contain shallow water with marsh and aquatic plants and animals.[sup][1][/sup] A few animals also make ponds, including both alligators and beavers.

Humans also make ponds. A wide variety of man-made bodies of water are classified as ponds. Some ponds are created specifically for habitat restoration, including water treatment. Others, like water gardens, water features and koi ponds are designed for aesthetic ornamentation as landscape or architectural features.