Just a quick post about the use of UV lights for algae control for pond keepers.
I installed UV sterilization lights into my pond’s Savio skimmer filter box earlier this summer to try to control fine floating algae in the pond without resorting to chemicals. This is the kind of algae that causes pond water to become cloudy or milky and have a greenish cast.
I am VERY pleased with the results. Installed two Emperor Aquatics UV sterilization light units into the filter as a retro-fit, and within three days the water was crystal clear and has stayed crystal clear ever since. Amazing. The water almost has a “polished” cast to it that is hard to describe. I can easily see to the full depth of my pond now, even at its deepest point.
Click here for a full description of how this works from Emperor’s website.
They aren’t cheap, but these things really work without chemicals. In fact, they worked so well and my water became so clear that the “string algae” that grows up from the bottom of the pond in long, attached strings has actually gotten worse….so, one problem solved and a new one is created. It was worth it though. I am currently experimenting with barley grass as a string algae control solution. I’ll post on that some other time. That is not working quite as well yet.
The following link is to the exact UV unit that I have installed, http://www.emperoraquatics-pond.com/advanced_uv_sterilizer.php, pictured below.
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About mattsanf
Matt Sanfilippo is the Chief Partnership Officer (CPO) for the College of Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) and Co-Director of its Engineering Research Accelerator. In this role, Matt coordinates and enables strategic and sponsored research opportunities across the college, and stewards the development of proposals for major research opportunities along strategic themes. Additionally, he enables collaboration among the college's research institute/center executive directors, and industrial and government relations personnel in the pursuit of opportunities with industry, federal and state governments. Before becoming CPO for the College, Matt was the Senior Executive Director for Research Initiatives, the Executive Director of CMU's SII (Smart Infrastructure Institute) and ICES (Institute for Complex Engineered Systems), and Associate Director of PITA (Pennsylvania Infrastructure Technology Alliance) and RAMP (Research for Advanced Manufacturing in Pennsylvania).
Before CMU, Matt was Managing Director of Applied Technology for Michael Baker Corporation, an engineering and energy services firm. Matt managed Baker's technology division including Geographic Information System (GIS), software and web development, multimedia, virtual reality, visualization, Global Positioning System (GPS), mapping and surveying services. Before joining Baker, Matt was an Innovation Director for Redleaf Group, a Venture Capital/Operating Company focused on information security, supply chain and mobility solutions. While at Redleaf, Matt managed technical due diligence for seed-stage investments and coordinated relationships between Redleaf and their partner companies. Prior to Redleaf, Matt was CIO of GZA GeoEnvironmental Technologies, an infrastructure engineering firm, and operations manager for their Internet start-up that focused on web-technologies for health and safety and manufacturing metrics.
Matt is on the board of Larson Design Group (LDG), past Chairman of the Board for the Pittsburgh Botanic Garden, current board member of the Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation (PHLF), current Vice President of the Sewickley Heights Gun Club (SHGC) and former member of the Information Sciences and Technology Advisory Board for the Pennsylvania State University Beaver. Matt is also former Vice President of the Pittsburgh Chapter of the Association of Internet Professionals and former Vice President of the Board of Trustees for Baker Combined Charity of Pennsylvania.
A Learning Adventure in the Workshop 