Uv light change

[Killemall]

Hi guys. I've been making ponds for 20 years. Mostly small sub 1000 gallon ones.

My biggest was 15x10 and 3.5 feet deep.

I have an aquagarden 5 in 1 pump with a 9 watt uv light in my current homes pond.

My question is...can I change the 9 watt bulb to a 13 watt bulb if the base is the same (G23 base)

 

[Killemall]

Some of my ponds

 

[Killemall]

Just finished this 12x13 footer in June 2020

 

[Killemall]

My latest one was finished a week ago in Sep 2020...

I'm not sure if 9 watt uv will do the trick for aprox. 1000 gallons in my current 14x3..

Can I simply change to a 13 watt bulb if the bulb will fit??

 

[Killemall]

14x10 I meant

 

[addy1]

Welcome to our forum!

I know nothing about UV lights don't use them. But members will chime in

 

[mrsclem]

I'm pretty sure the base will not be the same but the unit is wired for 9 watts. Using a higher wattage bulb may damage the wiring or cause the unit to short out.

 

[Mmathis]

Hello and welcome!

Agree with @mrsclem

 

[poconojoe]

Not likely. As mentioned, the wiring may not be sized for the added amperage drawn by the higher wattage lamp. But more importantly, the ballast or transformer that feeds the light would most likely not support the higher wattage. I would not attempt it. You will likely cause damage to the fixture or worse, cause a fire. If the fixture is rated for 9 watts, dont overload it.
But...
That being said, look to see it there is a wattage rating sticker on or in the fixture. That will be the actual fact to answer your question. If you find anything, it will state the input voltage (if you're in the US, it will be 120 volts), the amperage draw, the output voltage and output amperage or watts. It's the output amperage or wattage that you'll be interested in. It might also say something like 9 watts maximum somewhere on the fixture. Hey, you might get lucky and see a sticker that says 13 watts maximum! But, again, if you're not sure, don't chance it.
Let us know how you make out.

 

[Killemall]

Truly appreciated. I will look and see what it says for wattage. I love ponds. I just hate getting wet all the time lol

 

[j.w]

@Killemall

 

[Lisak1]

Welcome to the GPF! Thanks for sharing your ponds with us!

 

[Killemall]

I've made over 20. That's all I could find for pics on my phone at the moment