Is full LED UV sterilization coming soon???

[fishbulb]

I just saw this in my email feed.

UV-C LED Strip Light - LEDSupply

www.ledsupply.com

These include UVC LEDs. I would love an LED based UV sterilizer for the aquarium. I would love to see companies jump on this. Thoughts?

FB

 

[Hermie]

Why?

 

[fishbulb]

I generally hate replacing the fluorescent lamps. The cost of each lamp is high so I typically buy a few at a time to reduce the shipping cost. I try to source bulbs with equivalent or higher output but not specifically sold for the aquarium trade. Sometimes I've had a bulb for a year or so before installation and it just fails to fire up. Basically, I just don't like them a lot. I switched over from metal halides to LED lights over the main reef about a decade ago and I don't think I'll be going back. For me it's just easier and less maintenance.

There could be other advantages too. I had issues with leaking in some of my UV sterilizers as the light degraded the plastic. These weren't cheap units either. But all UV units now have the same design with "tube within a tube". With LEDs, it might open up more possibilities. Will be interesting in any regards (though I bet expensive!).

Cheers,
FB

 

[Reefer Reboot]

It may also cut down on some of the induced heat that comes from typical UV filters.

 

[fishbulb]

It may also cut down on some of the induced heat that comes from typical UV filters.

True, though I now welcome any extra heat added to the system. I have an open top tank and with the LED lights the heater runs more than it needs to.

 

[Malcontent]

280 nm?

Usually the problem is the wavelength is too high and the MTBF too low (apparently they don't last nearly as long as regular LEDs).

 

[fishbulb]

Yes, I was surprised to see the 280 nM wavelength. I don't know about the light output over time and degradation.

 

[ca1ore]

Interesting though. You could take two of the strips and tracks glued back to back and put them into the quartz sleeve of existing sterilizer housings. Longevity would be key though given higher cost than a traditional bulb.