LED UV Sterilizers?

stacksoner · Oct 17, 2019

Does anyone have any insight into options for LED UV sterilizer products? I think this type of product would be amazing for an aquarium application and would love to enjoy the benefits of a UV system without having to fit a rocket launcher sized sterilizer apparatus into my sump.

Miami Reef · Oct 17, 2019

Correct me if I’m wrong, but I don’t think LEDs actually use real UV light. It’s just marketing.

Flippers4pups · Oct 17, 2019

I don't think that 390nm diodes can produce the germicidal range known as UV-C.

stacksoner · Oct 17, 2019

Miami Reef said:
Correct me if I’m wrong, but I don’t think LEDs actually use real UV light. It’s just marketing.

Flippers4pups said:
I don't think that 390nm diodes can produce the germicidal range known as UV-C.

This company seems to have it figured out (klaran.com / https://www.klaran.com/products/disinfection-modules/klaran-wr-series). Also this company (https://www.aquisense.com/water-treatment)....

Montiman · Oct 17, 2019

My understanding is that it isn't the ability to make UVC LEDs that is the problem. It is the cost associated with making enough to create a unit capable of meaningful sterilization in our applications. Near UV LEDS are already the most expensive LEDS in reef light fixtures and UVC LEDs are even more expensive. Creating a unit comparable to a 40-100W florescent unit would likely cost 4-5 times as much as the florescent version.

Flippers4pups · Oct 17, 2019

On doing some research on this, it seems that there is quite a bit of research on this. The thing is I can get any white paper studies on the effectiveness of diode UV's effectiveness, just manufacturer's claims. Maybe some can find some independent study reports on their effectiveness?

Flippers4pups · Oct 17, 2019

Montiman said:
My understanding is that it isn't the ability to make UVC LEDs that is the problem. It is the cost associated with making enough to create a unit capable of meaningful sterilization in our applications. Near UV LEDS are already the most expensive LEDS in reef light fixtures and UVC LEDs are even more expensive. Creating a unit comparable to a 40-100W florescent unit would likely cost 4-5 times as much as the florescent version.

That and the heat generated from them I've read is enormous. I do what to know more about them.

taricha · Oct 17, 2019

I looked into UVC LED sources a little while back. The LEDs currently can go down to about 278 nm without being too expensive. Ones shorter wavelength than that get pretty crazy.
(Note that the models linked above do not publicize prices.) Additionally the 278nm I looked at has a very small power output compared to more typical LED wavelengths and lower compared to the emission at 254 nanometers from a typical UVC sterilizer mercury quartz tube.

Aldemirgen · Oct 17, 2019

i don't have really idea about UV Led's but i am from Turkey and we have one local Marine led manufacturer called AquaReef and their pro product have this leds (4 pcs Semileds 420nm UV Indigo, 4 pcs Semileds 410nm UV) integrated to light it is very popular here but i didn't reasearch about products UV usefulness

dantimdad · Oct 17, 2019

I have been looking into this for years and have yet to find a decently powerful LED that will cover the 252-258nm range and not cost as much as a used car.

Bpb · Oct 17, 2019

Aldemirgen said:
i don't have really idea about UV Led's but i am from Turkey and we have one local Marine led manufacturer called AquaReef and their pro product have this leds (4 pcs Semileds 420nm UV Indigo, 4 pcs Semileds 410nm UV) integrated to light it is very popular here but i didn't reasearch about products UV usefulness

yeah those are all just violet diodes in the visible light range. It’s just color. They’re referring to germicidal UVC wavelengths down in the 200’s. those would never go in a display light fixture.