Above: Cloverleaf
SMARTSTART Germicidal Lamp With Integral Ballast Unit
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All
Cloverleaf UV Clarifiers make use of quality Germicidal lamps with a
specification wavelength of 254nm (nanometres) - also known as UV-C or
shortwave. This range is proven (and accepted in all circles) to be the
most effective in germicidal applications, and is used in many
industrial application for disinfecting contaminants that pollute both
air and water. Such achievement are made in that when living
micro-organisms or organic material is subjected to shortwave ultra
violet light in the spectrum range of 240nm to 280nm the DNA structure
of the substance is broken down and thus technically destroyed.
Whilst it is scientifically correct that UV-C at 254nm is capable of
destroying biological contaminants such as mould, fungus, bacteria and
viruses, this is sadly directly related to exposure time - with that
exacting time being paramount to the process. Alas if by example we were
to evaluate a hypothetical setup of say a 3,000 gallon pond served by a
single 55 watt UV unit with a through flow rate of 1,500 gallons per
hour the end result is that not enough contact time/exposure has been
provided in order to destroy 100% of detrimental bacteria/organisms. It
may well be the case that 10% are destroyed, but that is no great asset
especially when that amount might have died or disappeared on their
accord a few hours later.
The life
form of single cell pond algae’s (which form green water) are such that
they only need to be in contact with ultra violet UV-C for a very short
exposure time in order to be destroyed, and this is why the majority of
UV Clarifiers on the market are successful in varying degrees.
It’s a worthy example to make mention of a past Cloverleaf commercial
installation involving a 1,000 gallons of water with a small fish load
where the goal was to provide 100% disinfection via Ultra Violet. In
relying upon 20 years of experience Cloverleaf opted for a design which
was based on a flow rate of around 600 GPH through a 440 watt 8 bar UV
unit. The end result achieved the objective, but ONLY because the
exposure time when passing through 8 continuous 55 watt radiation
chambers was sufficient to do the job. To put this into proper
perspective we are talking about a radiation chamber around 16 feet long
(4.8 metres).
The background to the alleged “killing power” of UV’s goes back to the
around the 1980 period when all aquatic UV’s were described/marketed as
a “UV Steriliser”. Such a description was really technically inaccurate
(for the reasons as set out), and in the years which followed European
countries changed the product description to “UV Clarifier” - although
still today the USA frequently use the hyped up term of “UV Steriliser”.
Perhaps some sources today simply use the reference “UV” in the hopes
that any prospective purchaser will assume the classification as a “UV
Steriliser” ?
From the above account it should hopefully be appreciated that
Cloverleaf act professionally & honestly in not making any claim that
their UV’s have a marvellous killing power to all forms of bacteria or
viruses. Yes, the claim could be technically possible in stretching the
imagination, and the example 440 watt UV installation noted above
illustrates this fact, however this is not the circumstances or
background facts under which the average pond keeper selects the
purchase of a UV unit.
The potential purchaser of a Cloverleaf Ultra Violet Clarifier can
however be fully assured that the product incorporates the use and
technology of the best components available, with the Smartstart
Germicidal 254nmLamps (with built in ballast/starter units) being the
very best and most consistent performer that is on offer within the
international market. The units which are designed to provide clear
water do exactly just that, and any other minor attribute is just a
small bonus.
Smartstart Is The Future - But Available Now
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