[MasterBlaster]

Is the light in a UV sterilizer the same as a black light? I was curious if I could DIY a sterilizer. If not, what type of light is it?

[MasterBlaster]

Hello? Testing 1 2 3 Hello? Is there anybody OUT there?

[Joaco]

Originally Posted by MasterBlaster

Is the light in a UV sterilizer the same as a black light? I was curious if I could DIY a sterilizer. If not, what type of light is it?

Nope, it's not he same light.
Bulbs used in UV sterilizers emit dangerous UV radiation (it burns)
UV sterilizers irradiate the water flowing close to the bulb, destroying the DNA of whatever gets exposed to it, with the right zap dose and exposure time, i.e. either water passing to fast or zap dose to low, won't be as effective in killing.

Pedro Escobal has some excellent UV sterilization info in his book:

Aquatic Systems Engineering: Devices and How They Function



You can browse some pages at Amazon.com :

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...108166-0011941


I'm moving the thread to the DIY forum.

Joaco

[Joaco]

One word of caution: UV radiation is extremely dangerous for your eyes (the retina if I'm correct), and your skin. You know those tanning beds use UV to give you that tan.



It actually burns your skin, that's where your tan comes from.
Now imagine you get exposed to a much higher UV radiation, designed to destroy DNA (sounds sci-fi, huh? )
I wouldn't feel comfortable at ALL, working on a DIY sterilizer. Too many risks involved IMHO.

Joaco

[Joaco]

Originally Posted by Joaco

Nope, it's not he same light.

A black light bulb produces UV-A light (as opposed to UV-B light, which is much more harmful).

Joaco

[MasterBlaster]

Thank you, Joaco.

[smaug]

Sterilizers use UVC i was think of a diy that would use a MH light and run the water before the glass filter.

[jdfenn]

master blaster

I have a UV that has not been used that much that I would sell you for a good price. It is a aquanetics 25 W sterilizer.