Jebao UV light leaching plastic

[Bramzor]

Actually all plastics breaks down under uv radiation.
Some faster than others but they will all deteriorate.
There are some additives that may slow it down but none prevents it completely

So every UV-C filter will get this after some time?

 

[Liron Mishal]

Well, it depends on the compound.
It will deteriorate but does not neccesarily leach out black stuff.
It depends on the way it was injected, dye particles vs what is known as "compound ". It means that the color is introduced at the extrusion process, which makes it much more stable.

 

[Liron Mishal]

Also depends on the internal structure.
If there is a liner inside which filters the uv then it will protect the plastic housing.
Regular glass filter a good amount of uv.
Quarts is used for water chambers as it will let all the uv pass through. Metals WILL rust eventually.

 

[Bramzor]

And what about the Theiling one and the one from Aqua Medic? Anyone has experience with those and do they leach plastic too after some time?

 

[Juan Andrés Botero R]

the stainless steel model WILL rust and get tiny pin holes in it. I have mine covered with duct tape. Interestingly enough, ICP tests don't show any metals in my tank.

How are you doing with the Jebao Stainless Steal UV, continue with out trace elements in you ICP test?

 

[pdxmonkeyboy]

How are you doing with the Jebao Stainless Steal UV, continue with out trace elements in you ICP test?

I am not doing ICP tests as I determined it cant leach metals while in my garbage can. :)

 

[Juan Andrés Botero R]

I am not doing ICP tests as I determined it cant leach metals while in my garbage can. :)

Did you notice visible corrosion on it?, how long did you have it working?

 

[Scorpius]

All I can say is that my Aqua UltraViolet UV unit has the same black residue. I have the black PVC version.

 

[Saltyanimals]

This conversation makes me consider the jebao and plan to replace ever 2-3 years if the Aqua has the same black residue. For those that experienced the jebao residue; how long was that in service? I assume the brighter/more watt.. the faster the plastic deterioration.

I noticed some of these seller actually sell replacement housing likely to address this. I think the key take away here is plan on some end-of-life where the entire unit has to be replaced... not sure if that's 3 years or 5+ years.

 

[Juan Andrés Botero R]

If it is made of PVC, will have the same residue!, I replace the Jabao every 2 years, it works very well! and the corals do look grate, but I am considering the use of UV!, because it also degradetes vitamins, especially B12 that is needed by bacteria an algae. The growth of my chaeto may be very affected by it!, so I will use it occasionally on new incomes or other events of the tank!

 

[jent]

For those that experienced the jebao residue; how long was that in service?

My photos were at the time of first bulb replacement. Just barely over a year old.

if the Aqua has the same black residue

I actually have an Aqua on my other aquarium. It's currently 3 years old and has shown no similar signs of degradation. It seems possible it will eventually happen, but they are definitely made out of different plastics.

 

[Pimba]

So it's been an year again.

Do the jebao ones still leach black residue or they have fixed that issue ?

 

[Juan Andrés Botero R]

Yes!, but it may be harmless!, it's PVC degradation (burned) ! so, if you do not have the UV for continuous operation, just for eventually use, I guess it is ok!, I try to change it for a stainless steel model, but I could not fit it!, so I continue to use the Jebao!, all my pipes are in PVC... I belive the aquarium can handle that little leach black that stays on the walls of the UV...

 

[jent]

Does Jebao ever update their product lines? I can't recall any time they have. I don't think they address flaws, they are focused on the price point. I use plenty of Jebao products, but for the UV, the price point is not significant enough to accept the plastic degrading.

I have been very happy with my two Aqua UV units, which have been in continuous operation for years.

 

[jent]

- Double Post -

 

[outhouse]

Does Jebao ever update their product lines?

constantly updating, but that does not mean this issue was addressed. I never needed UV but their pumps have all been outstanding for me.

 

[jent]

their pumps have all been outstanding for me.

Their pumps have been a good value for me too. They fail fairly often, but all pumps fail and I think I am still overall money ahead. In the case of the UV, I don't think it's a good value after seeing how significantly it was degrading the plastic.

 

[Pimba]

I saw another post in this same thread saying even more expensive UVs has black residue inside and it's just s pvc reacting to UV thing.

 

[Pimba]

An update..

I actually bought a Jebo UV H36 which is 36 watts. It's been running 24/7 for just 11 days and to my surprise, when I checked today, there was black stuff on my paper towel!

So jebo hasn't fixed this issue and it still prevails.

 

[homer1475]

Have had mine in operation for about 2 years now(2 bulb replacements). I wipe it out periodically, and always have the black residue.

My tank has not suffered one bit because of it.