A while back, I think it was Chris (mojo) that posted about doing regular cleaning maintenance on UVs and at the time I took one of mine apart and inspected it but it was totally clean so I didn't bother with the other. Turns out that was a mistake.
Today, I finally talked myself into replacing the bulb in my 40W Current UV and found that the bulb glass, even though the bulb was still lit, was totally smokey and barely letting light through it. Additionally, the glass sleeve was totally incased in calcium deposit. I cleaned the sleeve and replaced the bulb, but am currently soaking the inside of the housing with vinegar water. I'll probably let it soak overnight and put it back together tomorrow.
I recently had problems with calcium deposits forming on my heaters and pump impellars so hopefully that was when this started as well, but:
If you have been running your UV for more than 6 months it would probably be a good idea to take it apart and check it and if you have been running it for a year it is probably ready for a bulb replacement and cleaning.
Today, I finally talked myself into replacing the bulb in my 40W Current UV and found that the bulb glass, even though the bulb was still lit, was totally smokey and barely letting light through it. Additionally, the glass sleeve was totally incased in calcium deposit. I cleaned the sleeve and replaced the bulb, but am currently soaking the inside of the housing with vinegar water. I'll probably let it soak overnight and put it back together tomorrow.
I recently had problems with calcium deposits forming on my heaters and pump impellars so hopefully that was when this started as well, but:
If you have been running your UV for more than 6 months it would probably be a good idea to take it apart and check it and if you have been running it for a year it is probably ready for a bulb replacement and cleaning.
