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If some touched the quartz part of the UV bulb...can it still be used? how about just a wipe clean with facial tissue?

And...how can you tell that your UV is doing what's it suppose to do? You cannot see how much microscopic organisms in the water....and unlike filters u can see filter media get dirts....

Hi,
If you have actually grabbed ahold of the quartz bulb,
then you should replace it. Nothing will happen as soon
as you reassemble it and turn it on, but over time the
body oils will concentrate the light/heat at that point
and the bulb will soften, and the tube distort. Sometimes
it will distort so badly that you can't slip it out of
its sleeve and all must be replaced.

You can try wiping it with something that will not leave
any residue, and remove the body oils. The quartz bulb
should be replaced at the interval recommended by the
manufacturer as they loose potency over time as the
bulb ages.

Short of taking water samples of the UV assembly output,
culturing them, and microscopic examination, you can't
be sure that it is working. Essentially, if the bulb
is on, you have to trust that it is working doing its
job.

Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

alright...thanks for the reply!

but...you are not suppose to look at the light at all right...? so can't even be sure that it is on..?

Last edited by Week End at 24-Nov-2004 07:05

Hi,
Yes, that is a problem. When I had one years ago,
the plastic was thin enough that at night I could see
the glow of the light through the shell, and also from
the hoses. I guess I figured that "they" had resolved
that problem with a pilot light so that as long as it
was lit you knew the UV light was also on.

Perhaps someone who is running a UV system might
chime in with some additional information.

Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

use a cotton cloth and hold the bulb...then use another cotton cloth with rubbing alcohol on it and wipe the bulb down. This will remove the oils that your fingers left on the bulb and it will be fine.