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Replace the UVC lamp or UV lamp in your pond every season
A UV-C lamp, also often called a UV pond lamp, lasts approximately 10 to 12 months. It's important that it's in good working order and should be replaced every season. The UV-C lamp in your pond may still be on, but after a season, it emits almost no UV radiation. This causes floating algae to reappear, and the water in your pond turns green again.
UV lamp
A UV lamp, also known as a UV filter or UVC lamp, prevents green ponds and maintains a clear pond. Floating algae don't stand a chance with a UV lamp. The pond water is briefly exposed to UV light. This exposure breaks down the floating algae in the pond and prevents them from developing further.
Tips for buying a UV lamp
When purchasing a UV lamp, there are a few things you need to consider to determine the power of the UV lamp.
For a decorative pond with a light population of plants, you need to multiply the pond volume by 2-3 watts per thousand liters. So, if you have a 5,000-liter pond with a light population of fish and plants, you'll need to add a 10-15 watt UV lamp.
If you have a pond with a normal light population of fish and plants, it's recommended to multiply the volume per thousand liters by 3-4 watts. So, a 5,000-liter pond with a normal light population of fish and plants will need a 15-20 watt UV lamp.
With a heavy/overcrowded population of fish and plants, you should consider a 4-5 watt increase. For a 5,000-liter pond, this would mean a 20-25 watt UV lamp.
Is your pond regularly exposed to sunlight? Then it's helpful to add the 1 watt per thousand liters to the power of the UV lamp.
Filter
If you have both overpopulated ponds and your pond is exposed to sunlight, it might be more effective to add several UV lamps. This will kill the algae faster. However, you must ensure that the dead algae doesn't remain floating around in your pond. There are two easiest ways to do this. First, it's very useful to have a good filter pump in your pond; this can filter out much of the algae. However, you must be careful not to overload the filter. To ensure this, it's best to use a scoop net and run it over the surface of the water to remove the dead, floating algae. This isn't much work, but your filter will certainly appreciate it.
Replacement
The UV lamp also decreases in efficiency over time, which isn't practical because it won't eliminate all the algae in your pond. After approximately 6,000 hours, it's recommended to replace the UV lamp, as it will then be much less efficient.
It's best to replace your UV lamp between November and March, as the UV lamp is hardly used at all and you can easily disconnect it.
Other tips
Finally, you need to consider when you'll be using the UV lamp. It's recommended to have the UV lamp on at all times between April and October. Make sure you replace the UV lamp in time.
It's also helpful to be careful with any medication or bacterial cultures you add to the water. After adding medication or bacterial cultures, you should turn off the UV lamp for about 48 hours to ensure it fully absorbs into the water. Bacterial cultures should be added two to three times a year, as both good and bad bacteria are killed by the UV lamp.
Never place a UV lamp in water without an additional filter. The emitted radiation is fatal to all organisms in the water. Algae will pass through the filter and be killed, but you'll want to preserve the rest. That's why you use the filter.
