UV Sterilizers

[Reef.]

Just wondering, when a UV steriliser states the UV, for example a 50w unit, does that take into account any loss of UV from glass etc

 

[Waters]

Just wondering, when a UV steriliser states the UV, for example a 50w unit, does that take into account any loss of UV from glass etc

I don't believe so.....the wattage listed is the bulb wattage.

 

[Reef.]

I don't believe so.....the wattage listed is the bulb wattage.

Right so from my 6w bulb I’m lucky to be getting 3w!

 

[14 foot reef]

Right so from my 6w bulb I’m lucky to be getting 3w!

How are you measuring this 3 watts ?

 

[musaabi]

Wattage is how much energy the bulb uses. You can’t measure output wattage. You can measure lumen output and spectrum from the bulb to the bulb in the glass sleeve. If there was a loss of lumens, it would be minimal, like not enough to make a difference unless the glass was really dirty and calcified where you were blocking light from coming thru. The other thing that can reduce it is running lights for long periods of time. The bulb life starts to diminish resulting in less output.

 

[Reef.]

How are you measuring this 3 watts ?

Just going from research, seems around 50% of UV is lost through glass…I realise I’m confusing wattage and UV output.

 

[Waters]

Just going from research, seems around 50% of UV is lost through glass…I realise I’m confusing wattage and UV output.

I knew what you meant lol.....yes, some is lost through the glass. That is why keeping the inner sleeve is so important.