UV - reconditioned?

[Gerryd]

Hey all,

I just received the following UV sterilizer for my setup.

Gamma Aquarium UV | Current What's Next

Unfortunately, the 40 watt 1403 model is not shown. My lit says the 40 watt does not come with the threaded/barb fittings that the parts list states, but nothing about no viewing ports.

Looking at the unit and the literature that came with it, and also comparing it to the pics/verbiage on the various web sites, I see that my units does NOT have the viewing ports on each end. Plus, the end caps themselves look like they were fastened after and not as nicely as if from the factory.

The following link has 4 pics of this.

gerrydirish/UV - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

The first 2 are the better ones. The first shot shows a nice connection/sealant at the cap and the unit body. Rotate the unit and the same end shows a lot of silicone and not as nicely finished as the other.

Same thing at the other end.

Plus, the end caps themselves are just standard end caps with no viewing ports of any kind. Not like the literature at all!

So, is it possible this was re-conditioned somehow and sold as new?

Do you think it is safe to use it?

Money aside, I want to be SAFE.....I will follow up with the vendor separately if this unit is not new.

Other thing is that the 2" slip bushings fit into the unit with not that much resistance. I know the PVC cement will help seal it, but seems pretty easy to me and should have more resistance to install/remove.

I appreciate any thoughts..........

 

[jeff5614]

I have the 25 watt model and just looking at pics of the 25 and 40 watt models online it doesn't look like the 40 watt model has the viewing ports. At least not the same ports as the 25. Your's looks just like all the pics I can find other than you can't really make out the seams in any of the vendor pics. Have a look at the two:

Current USA Gamma UV Sterilizers - Quartz-tuned Ultra Violet Sterilizers

 

[mrkookm]

I had this model in use for over a year before I sold it to get the smaller model and it does have viewing ports (see pics below). If you look closely at my old UV pic you'll see that I had to use my own barb fittings as well

As far as the glue job goes it's all aesthetics, and that will hold just fine with no issues. These are just black PVC pipes joint together by solvent, so a little spillage IMO is acceptable. When was the last time you did a flawless solvent job

 

[Gerryd]

Jeffs5614,

How do you like that 25w model? Does it make a difference for you? What size tank are you using it on?

Yes, I don't think the 40 watt comes with the viewing ports either.......

Oh well.

Mrkookm,

Is that the 40 watt in the two pics? The second looks like my unit for sure.

I looked at the slip bushings, and there seems no way any light can shine through there...

When was the last time you did a flawless solvent job

It's never happened lol

Understood, I just assumed that a machine made it and there was some technique to clean the excess, is all. I must have missed that episode of 'ultimate factory'

So, on the slip bushings, they do not fit anywhere near like a normal PVC pipe and a slip fitting.

A normal PVC you can slightly connect the slip coupling and hold it upside down and it will not fall out.

These bushings would fall out in a second.

I am very concerned about leaks.....

I will install the bushings, and fill it with water. Then I will connect the 2 ends with flex hose and hang it upside down for a bit. If they leak, this will show it, so no need to put it under pressure, yet.

I know the final installation will be upright, but thought this would be a decent way to give a preliminary check.

Thanks for the replies.

 

[mrkookm]

Jeffs5614,

How do you like that 25w model? Does it make a difference for you? What size tank are you using it on?

The 25watt works like a champ G, and it's being used on my 90gal tank.

Yes, I don't think the 40 watt comes with the viewing ports either.......

Oh well.

Mrkookm,

Is that the 40 watt in the two pics? The second looks like my unit for sure.

I looked at the slip bushings, and there seems no way any light can shine through there...

The second pic is the unit I had which I sold on ebay and the circled area is where the viewing ports are/should be. It is a very dark fitting so looking at it you will not be able to tell.

Do a quick check by sliding the lamp/quartz sleeve into the chamber, put the 2" slip in and plug it in to check visibility.

It's never happened lol

Understood, I just assumed that a machine made it and there was some technique to clean the excess, is all. I must have missed that episode of 'ultimate factory'

Gerryd I love your sense of humor man...hahahaha!

So, on the slip bushings, they do not fit anywhere near like a normal PVC pipe and a slip fitting.

A normal PVC you can slightly connect the slip coupling and hold it upside down and it will not fall out.

These bushings would fall out in a second.

I am very concerned about leaks.....

This is the only part that concerns me, when you put it in you don't get a slight resistance? is it really that loose? If this is the case then I would be making a few phone calls too...

 

[jeff5614]

Gerry, I have had the 25 watt on a 75 gallon tank for a couple of years. I had read good things about them as far as killing parasites, free floating algae, etc and thought I'd give one a try. I can't really say that it's contributed to the clarity of the tank but I just feel a bit better knowing it's there from the standpoint of it eliminating pathogens.

 

[Gerryd]

Thanks for the replies......

Mrkookm, so is your old unit the 40watt??????????? What size units are shown in the pics, please?

Well after looking at it again, the slip bushings do stay in when held upside down if I swap them, a slight resistance and better than I stated, but still not like normal PVC and a slip fitting...

A little shake and they come tumbling out.............

Do I have to fill with water to test?? I assume so or the bulb may get too hot and be damaged?

BTW, is there an input and output side, or does it matter which way the water flow goes??? I see no flow directors or arrows......

Yes, I don't expect great things, but would like to see if it adds anything.

 

[mrkookm]

Thanks for the replies......

Mrkookm, so is your old unit the 40watt??????????? What size units are shown in the pics, please?

Yes that pic is the 40watt unit

Well after looking at it again, the slip bushings do stay in when held upside down if I swap them, a slight resistance and better than I stated, but still not like normal PVC and a slip fitting...

A little shake and they come tumbling out.............

That is more than enough for our application.

Do I have to fill with water to test?? I assume so or the bulb may get too hot and be damaged?

No not at all, a 2~5min test is definitely not going to cause damage, and that's if you even need that long a time

BTW, is there an input and output side, or does it matter which way the water flow goes??? I see no flow directors or arrows......

Yes, I don't expect great things, but would like to see if it adds anything.

Contact time is indeed important and is main reason why I chose this model over the other UV units that uses the T5 bulbs. The design allows for full contact with water always, so there's no specific in/out. My in though has always been the side with the cord because it always seem to line up with my plumbing that way.

 

[Gerryd]

Ok.

So I 'assembled' the unit to run a dry test with the bulb.

Bingo. Light is emitted from the ENDS as is shown in these two pics:

Pretty cool hey?

Thanks for the testing suggestion.......I should have thought of it myself, but the destructions, I mean instructions, stated not to run w/o water, so was trying to be good

 

[mrkookm]

Wow thats even better than my old unit view!

 

[jeff5614]

A better view than mine also.

 

[Gerryd]

Well, FYI, the inlet slip bushing leaked like crazy when I installed it earlier......

I had a feeling that it might, so was prepared and not surprised. Disappointed, yes, surprised, no.

You can read all about it in the Mazzei, UV placement thread.......

Back to the drawing board.......

 

[nopq475]

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