UV exam light for sump?

jeffchapok

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Has anyone ever considered hanging a medical grade UV exam light over their sump? I realize the water wouldn't be in close proximity to the water as with a normal UV sterilizer. But I've used one of these things before and they are super intense.

I need to check the frequency and see if it's the same, but if so, I'm going to try it. I have access to one.

 

Cory

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It says puts out uva that wont kill anything to be useful
 

ichthyoid

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It won’t work-

The device you listed-
“Fluorescent bulbs produce UVA at approximately 360nm wavelength - “

Germicidal UV is 255 nM

The exam lamp is UV ‘A’ and the germicidal type is UV ‘B’ -

The UV region covers the wavelength range 100-400 nm and is divided into three bands:
UVA (315-400 nm)
UVB (280-315 nm)
UVC (100-280 nm).
World Health Organization › uv ›
 

Biglew11

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UFC is germacidal we get sun burn from uva and uvb. This puts out UVA, so no benefits, and only possibly negatives, deteriorated plastics, possible eye damage from stray light.

I do have a uv flashlight that I use to look for or at things inside the tank in the dark.
 
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jeffchapok

jeffchapok

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It won’t work-

The device you listed-
“Fluorescent bulbs produce UVA at approximately 360nm wavelength - “

Germicidal UV is 255 nM

The exam lamp is UV ‘A’ and the germicidal type is UV ‘B’ -

The UV region covers the wavelength range 100-400 nm and is divided into three bands:
UVA (315-400 nm)
UVB (280-315 nm)
UVC (100-280 nm).
World Health Organization › uv ›
Yeah, I did a little more research on the wavelengths and found that too. There's still some benefit to UV-A for sterilization, but the peak is at 280 nm.

I could possibly replace the bulbs, but for what they cost I could just buy a new dedicated tank UV system.
 
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jeffchapok

jeffchapok

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What are you trying to kill anyways?
Nothing specific. I have a 27 watt Green Killing Machine carried over from my old 60 gal tank, and it's undersized for my 150 gal. Plus it's about a year and a half old, and I thought rather than replace the bulb, I might look into alternatives and I have this examination light lying around.
 

Saltyreef

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Nothing specific. I have a 27 watt Green Killing Machine carried over from my old 60 gal tank, and it's undersized for my 150 gal. Plus it's about a year and a half old, and I thought rather than replace the bulb, I might look into alternatives and I have this examination light lying around.
Keep it for covid ;)
 

Biglew11

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If you did replace the bulbs with UFC type bulbs that would be even worse. You don't want to be anywhere near a running exposed UFC bulb. They can burn your skin without producing heat. Damage your eyes badly if you look at the bulb. They produce ozone wich in the air is harmful to your health.

do not run an exposed UVC bulb in an occupied room.
 

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