Running UV without the housing?

[JoJosReef]

The small sicce pump on my IM UV sterilizer won't run anymore. I think too many spirorbid worms grew inside it. Dunno. So I took the UV bulb out of the protective housing and dropped it in the overflow chamber of my IM Nuvo 10g. Got some dinos on the rise and trying to fend them off with some UV. Not sure if the fast flow in the overflow chamber will negate the efficacy of the UV, but will give it a try. Email from IM was that the pump is out of production and basically to buy a new UV unit. I've only used this one 2 or 3 times for small dino outbreaks.

Anyone know if leaving this running in the chamber over the weekend will cause notable damage to the chamber or back glass?

Thanks!

 

[Fish Fan]

Sorry two hear about your pump, but I'm pretty sure it is ill-advised to run a UV bulb outside of its protective casing. If you were to look at that light directly, the UV is powerful enough to cause blindness. Possibly, if you dropped it in your tank and left it alone over the weekend where you were sure no one else could come in contact with it, then maybe. But then, like you said, the flow may be too much for it to even be effective. I'm interested in see what others say here. Best of luck!

 

[JoJosReef]

Sorry two hear about your pump, but I'm pretty sure it is ill-advised to run a UV bulb outside of its protective casing. If you were to look at that light directly, the UV is powerful enough to cause blindness. Possibly, if you dropped it in your tank and left it alone over the weekend where you were sure no one else could come in contact with it, then maybe. But then, like you said, the flow may be too much for it to even be effective. I'm interested in see what others say here. Best of luck!

I've got it in that one chamber with a tupperware lid covering the chamber. I'm not seeing any light escaping. Interested in hearing if anyone thinks this will damage the tank. If it's effective or not, will probably find out on Monday

 

[MnFish1]

I would not as it’s likely not effective and as said may cause damage

 

[MnFish1]

Ps if you think about it the protective housing is there for a reason.

 

[FUNGI]

Sorry two hear about your pump, but I'm pretty sure it is ill-advised to run a UV bulb outside of its protective casing. If you were to look at that light directly, the UV is powerful enough to cause blindness. Possibly, if you dropped it in your tank and left it alone over the weekend where you were sure no one else could come in contact with it, then maybe. But then, like you said, the flow may be too much for it to even be effective. I'm interested in see what others say here. Best of luck!

Not too mention the cancer.......

 

[BeanAnimal]

1 - the housing is there to protect your eyes and skin. Please do not run the bare bulb.

2 - spirobis - maybe if we all spread the word in 5-10 years the hobby will forget spirobid

 

[JoJosReef]

Ps if you think about it the protective housing is there for a reason.

Yes, agreed. The housing itself appears to be an opaque plastic tube. I don't see the tube worn away on the inside or anything. If you think about it, the overflow chamber of the 10g AIO is also basically an opaque plastic tube on two sides and blacked out glass on the other two sides.

I'm just wondering if anyone knows if the UV bulb itself will damage the AIO plastic/glass. I don't think so, but I'd feel better if someone with knowledge/experience weighed in.

 

[FUNGI]

Plastic's do degrade with direct UV, unless they are protected.

If you are bored...heres some light reading: LOL

https://www.zeusinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/RESINATE-SE-UV-Props-Of-Plastics-Zeus.pdf

 

[Fish Fan]

I'm not seeing any light escaping.

OK, PLEASE don't go LOOKING for the UV light lol!

I mean, you still want to be able to enjoy viewing your aquariums, right?

 

[JoJosReef]

Not too mention the cancer.......

1 - the housing is there to protect your eyes and skin. Please do not run the bare bulb.

2 - spirobis - maybe if we all spread the word in 5-10 years the hobby will forget spirobid

To be clear, the bulb is not out in the open. It is inside of an AIO chamber. The bulb is also situated below the overflow weirs. No one will be coming into contact with it. The top of the AIO chamber is covered.

That said, will the UV damage the plastic/glass?

I don't know if the UV will be effective against the dinos or not at the water flow that is currently running. But if it's not hurting the tank, I figure I'll let it run over the weekend while I'm out of the office and by some miracle come back to a clean tank on Monday.

 

[FUNGI]

To be clear, the bulb is not out in the open. It is inside of an AIO chamber. The bulb is also situated below the overflow weirs. No one will be coming into contact with it. The top of the AIO chamber is covered.

That said, will the UV damage the plastic/glass?

I don't know if the UV will be effective against the dinos or not at the water flow that is currently running. But if it's not hurting the tank, I figure I'll let it run over the weekend while I'm out of the office and by some miracle come back to a clean tank on Monday.

The plastic yes, unless its coated/protected from UV. The glass....no.

As long as you have the lid for that, you should be ok....but it shouldn't be a permanent fix.

Just my 2 cents

 

[FUNGI]

you basically have this now....

 

[Fish Fan]

I'm not a physicist, but UV light is very energetic. It doesn't take much at all to damage your eyes or burn your skin, and it can definitely damage materials, as already mentioned. I wouldn't do this. Is there any chance another family member or household pet might come in contact with this light?

 

[FUNGI]

 

[Fish Fan]

That doesn't specifically say UV in the title, and if it is, how could that be safe? I have always heard that UV bulbs have to be contained.

 

[JoJosReef]

OK, PLEASE don't go LOOKING for the UV light lol!

I mean, you still want to be able to enjoy viewing your aquariums, right?

Right, I suppose I'm being too aloof. Let's assume I have a PhD level understanding of biology, including effects of UV on cells--not effects of UV on plastics or glass.

1. NOT looking AT the light, it's very clear the light is not spilling out of the AIO chamber:

2. If I remove the cover with my hand and use my phone to snap a photo inside the chamber, the light is running:

3. I suppose there is also silicone degradation to worry about. Question in my mind still remains: is a 9W UV bulb going to degrade plastic/glass/silicone notably over a period of hours, days, weeks?

Looks like there's a lot of reading to do. Was hoping someone knew, but I see that I haven't been very specific with my questions.

Apologies!

 

[Fish Fan]

Let's assume I have a PhD level understanding of biology

I was not insulting your intelligence or education, I was only concerned for your safety.

 

[JoJosReef]

I'm not a physicist, but UV light is very energetic. It doesn't take much at all to damage your eyes or burn your skin, and it can definitely damage materials, as already mentioned. I wouldn't do this. Is there any chance another family member or household pet might come in contact with this light?

No, this is an office tank. Everyone is leaving the office in about an hour. And no one comes into my office in any case. If I knew the materials in the AIO chamber were at negligible risk of degrading over a weekend, I'd just leave it on. Looks like I will probably be leaving it off and looking for a replacement--awesome.

 

[FUNGI]

That doesn't specifically say UV in the title, and if it is, how could that be safe? I have always heard that UV bulbs have to be contained.

True, but it does say 254-nm wavelength for the bulb....which puts it into UV wavelength.....
regardless, its all dangerous.