If you click a link on this page and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Learn More >>
Green pond water is the biggest pain when it comes to fish keeping. It’s not that the water quality is bad or anything like that but it does ruin the view of your fish.
The best way to get rid of this problem and keep it away is with a UV sterilizer. Pond UV lights will kill the free-flowing algae in the water and keep your pond nice and clear.
There are a variety of products on the market to help. We are going to talk about five different ones to help you choose the right option.
You can also learn from the helpful tips and questions we include.
Remember, advice is always free!
That way, you focus on what you need and how to obtain that information.
Best UV Pond Lights Reviews
TetraPond Greenfree UV Clarifier
TetraPond is a popular brand and provides long-lasting quality. Its sterilizers are like no other. This is a good choice for those who want a low price and something that works well for koi and other biological matter. Of course, it is designed to remove harmful bacteria and free-flowing algae from the water.
You get the adapters (3/4-, 1-, and 1.25-inch size) for free. The goal is to keep the pond clean and free of any green algae. To do that, it uses a high-watt UV light. The UV lighting charges the water, but it doesn’t hurt the fish. Instead, it is designed to remove any free-flowing algae, though it doesn’t work on string algae.
These UV lights can remove significant free-flowing algae blooms in just five days. However, you may need to wait two weeks to see the best results.
This product works in ponds with 1,800 gallons of water. Plus, it is easy to set up and use.
OASE Vitronic UV Pond Clarifier
Vitronic products are simple and versatile and can operate with a variety of filter systems. However, it works best with the BioSmart filters. You can find up to 36-watt UV lights available, which can be integrated into your current pond or as part of the design for new one. Free-flowing algae is killed by the UV, and the filter removes the dead cells.
You are going to be able to see your fish easily with one of these products. The flow rate is gentle enough not to harm the fish while the pond water gets clearer with time.
This UV clarifier offers an inspection window toward the top and has clear tubing adapters. This means you can see how clean the water is with the UV lights working.
There is also a quick-release feature to open the UV unit easily. This helps you get to the bulb and clean out the glass.
Pros
- Works with any filtration system
- Integrates with a new or existing pond system
- Long-lasting UV lights
Cons
- Very heavy construction; may need more support
- Quite loud when in operation
Pondmaster 02940 40-Watt UV Light
Pondmaster has an excellent UV light. Pond water is going to look much clearer with this option. It’s designed to work with your filter products, as well. Within a short period of time you will notice a big difference in water clarity due to the strength of the bulb.
This 40-watt UV light is submersible in water and can kill other bacteria, as well. As a UV sterilizer, it works in ponds of up to 6,000 gallons. You can also use it with your filter pump of up to 3,000-gph.
The vortex flow rate design makes sure that all of the pond water gets hit by the UV lights. It also has a slim diameter, which exposes the entire thing to intense light to kill free-flowing algae. In a sense, water gets more exposure time to the UV lights to supercharge it.
Pros
- Easy to install
- Clear water in a matter of days
- No chemicals needed
Cons
- Requires frequent bulb changes to be effective
- Bulb sometimes pops out.
FAQ
Do I Need a UV Light for My Pond?
Ultraviolet light can kill free-flowing algae that float in the pond’s water. Algae blooms in a pond can turn it from clear to thick pea soup in just a matter of weeks or months. If you notice a cloudiness to the water, it’s probably best to get a UV light for the pond.
New ponds are more prone to algae blooms because the pond hasn’t matured yet, and this can take many years. Ultraviolet light work because the free-flowing algae pass through it and are exposed to excessively bright light. That energy destroys the algae’s DNA, and it dies.
Keeping your pond free of algae is the easiest way to enjoy a clear pond. Once the algae die, it all sticks together and gets filtered from the water.
How Long Does It Take for a UV Light to Clear a Pond?
When you have established the UV pond light, you can expect to see a difference within one week. However, your pond might not be algae-free for up to two weeks. From then on, the UV light for pond is going to help you achieve crystal clear water all the time.
What Are the Best UV Lights for Ponds?
It’s important to choose the right UV lights for your pond. To do that, you need to consider the strength of the UV bulb you’re using. Generally, it’s best to go with a 10-watt lamp for every 1,000 gallons of water if you want to clarify it.
Those who want to sterilize and kill the free-flowing algae should use 30 watts per 1,000 gallons.
It’s important to consider the flow rate, as well. This indicates how often all of the water gets filtered. If you have fish, you want that to happen once an hour.
You also have to consider things like climate, how many marine life you have, and the debris you get in the pond every day. Generally, the flow rate and gallons in the pond are the same.
UV clarifiers will control the green pond water. You can also control algae based on how much shade you have on the area and ensure that there is at least 50 percent of plants in the water. Clarifiers are usually chosen when you don’t have any animals.
Still, many of the products we discussed today can be used for both purposes. Just make sure it indicates whether it’s a sterilizer or a clarifier. Also, consider how many gallons it treats and the wattage of the bulb.
We think any of these products could be a sterilizer or clarifier. Therefore, you can find the one that meets your needs. Also, some brands include more than one size. This is great news for those who have larger ponds. Consider the UV lamp size and make sure it is going to provide you with enough energy to kill the algae.
Pond UV Lights Summary
When it comes to picking a UV sterilizer, it’s important to focus on the product and what it does. Many people are picky about the brands they choose, but brand names aren’t as important as the ability of the light to do what it claims.
We offer you five different products and talk about each one in-depth. There are also a few frequently asked questions we included to give you the right information on your search for the right supplies.
It’s hard to pick a winner directly because each brand works with a different pond size. Make sure you pay close attention to the wattage on the list and consider moving to another brand if necessary.