Cal Pump UV Clarifier died

[scs0]

I bought a 36 watt Cal Pump UV Clarifier 8 days ago for my pea soup
green pond and yesterday I finally noticed that it was actually
working. Today the water was really starting to clear up, and then the
clarifier decided to die on me.

This is not a submersible device, but it is supposed to be able to
withstand the rain. I came home today after a rainstorm and found that
our power went out. Naturally, since things never work the way they
should, the pond's pump was still shut off. I disconnected the pump
from the outlet and plugged it back in and the pump came back. With a
CalPump UV Clarifier there's absolutely no way to tell if the device is
while it's daylight so I had to wait until night. There was no glow
coming out from the connection of the tubes. Damn it!

Turns out there's nothing wrong with the extension cord connecting the
UV because I can hook other things to it without any problem. It's
just this damn UV light that refuses to turn on.

Besides not working, the things that really makes me mad is that the
Cal Pump manual is absolutely terrible, it's Saturday night and a
company and my pond shop won't be open tomorrow, and it's so frickin'
hard to tell if the light's actually on or not.

[Koi-Lo]

"scs0" > wrote in message
oups.com...
> Besides not working, the things that really makes me mad is that the
> Cal Pump manual is absolutely terrible, it's Saturday night and a
> company and my pond shop won't be open tomorrow, and it's so frickin'
> hard to tell if the light's actually on or not.
============
Cover it with a dark cloth or towel in the daytime. You'll see the faint
glow.
--
Koi-Lo....
Frugal ponding since 1995.
Aquariums since 1952.
My Pond & Aquarium Pages:
http://tinyurl.com/9do58
~~~ }<((((o> ~~~ }<{{{{o> ~~~ }<(((((o>

[scs0]

Turns out the transformer in the light (the box-like component that
sits within the power cord) failed. I had my pond shop take a look at
it today. I don't know when it's going to get repaired and I can
already see that my pond is already losing the clarity after two days.

The lesson I learned from this fiasco is that I should avoid CalPump
products in the future. I still haven't even received a reply to the
email I sent. Does anyone have a recommendations for a good -RELIABLE-
UV clarifier or sterilizer for a 4000 gallon pond because I'm going to
try to get a store credit if possible. Not only do I want to device to
actually turn on, I want some other simple things like the ability to
see whether or not the device is on.

I'm so sick of buying expensive crap that doesn't work. My $3500 Sony
TV set acted the same way: it worked for a little while (thus teasing
me with its potential) then suddenly failed to turn on. Though I did
get more than 8 days out of that TV....

[Koi-Lo]

"scs0" > wrote in message
oups.com...
> Turns out the transformer in the light (the box-like component that
> sits within the power cord) failed. I had my pond shop take a look at
> it today. I don't know when it's going to get repaired and I can
> already see that my pond is already losing the clarity after two days.

Yes, these UV lights do work well.

> The lesson I learned from this fiasco is that I should avoid CalPump
> products in the future. I still haven't even received a reply to the
> email I sent.

Doesn't that just burn you up? It's as bad as calling a place and never
getting to speak to a human being. Poor customer service turns me off to a
product. I have the Tetra UV lights and filters. The first one I bought
didn't light at all. I sent it back That Fish Place, or was it F&S and got
another in less than a week.

Does anyone have a recommendations for a good -RELIABLE-
> UV clarifier or sterilizer for a 4000 gallon pond because I'm going to
> try to get a store credit if possible. Not only do I want to device to
> actually turn on, I want some other simple things like the ability to
> see whether or not the device is on.

Don't get one built into something else, and make sure it has a "window"
that allows you to see the glow. I'm satisfied with the Tetra brand I have.
I can see the glow where the intake and outflow are as they're clear
plastic.

> I'm so sick of buying expensive crap that doesn't work. My $3500 Sony
> TV set acted the same way: it worked for a little while (thus teasing
> me with its potential) then suddenly failed to turn on. Though I did
> get more than 8 days out of that TV....

Wasn't it replaced? I have the Cyprio pond-pump vac. What a piece of crap
that is. I can't even give it away. I threw $50 down the toilet.........
--
Koi-Lo....
Frugal ponding since 1995.
Aquariums since 1952.
My Pond & Aquarium Pages:
http://tinyurl.com/9do58
*Note: There are several *Koi-Lo's* on rec.ponds.
~~~ }<((((o> ~~~ }<{{{{o> ~~~ }<(((((o>

[Phyllis and Jim Hurley]

We have the Tetra Pond unit. Has worked for 6 years. We only run it if we
get green water...not every year or all the time. Has worked well.

Jim

--
See our pond at: home.bellsouth.net/personalpages/pwp-jameshurley
Ask me about Jog A Thon fundraiser (clears $120+ per child) at: jogathon.net
"scs0" > wrote in message
oups.com...
> Turns out the transformer in the light (the box-like component that
> sits within the power cord) failed. I had my pond shop take a look at
> it today. I don't know when it's going to get repaired and I can
> already see that my pond is already losing the clarity after two days.
>
> The lesson I learned from this fiasco is that I should avoid CalPump
> products in the future. I still haven't even received a reply to the
> email I sent. Does anyone have a recommendations for a good -RELIABLE-
> UV clarifier or sterilizer for a 4000 gallon pond because I'm going to
> try to get a store credit if possible. Not only do I want to device to
> actually turn on, I want some other simple things like the ability to
> see whether or not the device is on.
>
> I'm so sick of buying expensive crap that doesn't work. My $3500 Sony
> TV set acted the same way: it worked for a little while (thus teasing
> me with its potential) then suddenly failed to turn on. Though I did
> get more than 8 days out of that TV....
>

[Koi-Lo]

"Phyllis and Jim Hurley" > wrote in message
.. .
> We have the Tetra Pond unit. Has worked for 6 years. We only run it if
> we
> get green water...not every year or all the time. Has worked well.
===================
My Tetra UV lights are also about 6 yrs old and we've never yet needed to
replace the bulbs. They're still effective and clear the water in days
(when needed).
--
Koi-Lo....
Frugal ponding since 1995.
Aquariums since 1952.
My Pond & Aquarium Pages:
http://tinyurl.com/9do58
~~~ }<((((o> ~~~ }<{{{{o> ~~~ }<(((((o>

[Carl Beyer]

I have an Aqua that I really like. Runs 24 -7 - 365 in So Cal... Heavy
Duty constructions.. A little bothered by how the light attaches, but
it is really easy to service

Tetra seemed a bit flimsier, but then again, what am I doing, playing
football with it?

Carl

--
--
http://www.cobaltbluefilms.com

[Koi-Lo]

"Carl Beyer" > wrote in message
...
>I have an Aqua that I really like. Runs 24 -7 - 365 in So Cal... Heavy
> Duty constructions.. A little bothered by how the light attaches, but
> it is really easy to service
>
> Tetra seemed a bit flimsier, but then again, what am I doing, playing
> football with it?
======================
I don't find them flimsy. At least mine aren't. My only gripe is how hard
they are to open to clean, then close again. They need a slightly better
design as far as opening and closing.
--
Koi-Lo....
Frugal ponding since 1995.
Aquariums since 1952.
My Pond & Aquarium Pages:
http://tinyurl.com/9do58
~~~ }<((((o> ~~~ }<{{{{o> ~~~ }<(((((o>

[Carl Beyer]

In article >, "Koi-Lo" >
wrote:

> "Carl Beyer" > wrote in message
> ...
> >I have an Aqua that I really like. Runs 24 -7 - 365 in So Cal... Heavy
> > Duty constructions.. A little bothered by how the light attaches, but
> > it is really easy to service
> >
> > Tetra seemed a bit flimsier, but then again, what am I doing, playing
> > football with it?
> ======================
> I don't find them flimsy. At least mine aren't. My only gripe is how hard
> they are to open to clean, then close again. They need a slightly better
> design as far as opening and closing.

The Aqua's are heavy duty PVC... I felt a bit thicker than Tetra, but
again, not saying Tetra is bad.

My Aqua has two screw tops. One that holds the bulb in the quartz
sleeve, and one that holds the sleeve in place and caps the water. Both
seal nicely, although eventually I will have to replace the rubber I am
sure.

Also, the bulb fell out of the socket on the last tear down and it broke
the quartz... The bulb is a long, 4 prong on one end jobby. Just
slipped and crack..

Anyway. Still like the product. Just wish I could get a maintenance
free pond...

Carl

--
--
http://www.cobaltbluefilms.com

[Gareee©]

"Carl Beyer"
wrote:

Just wish I could get a "maintenance free pond"...

Isn't that an oxy-moron?

--
Gareee©
(Gary Tabar Jr.)

[Koi-Lo]

Moments before taking that leap of faith into the pond <Carl Beyer> at
> was heard opining:

>
> My Aqua has two screw tops. One that holds the bulb in the quartz
> sleeve, and one that holds the sleeve in place and caps the water.
> Both seal nicely, although eventually I will have to replace the
> rubber I am sure.

So far mine is still like new.

> Also, the bulb fell out of the socket on the last tear down and it
> broke
> the quartz... The bulb is a long, 4 prong on one end jobby. Just
> slipped and crack..

Mine also has the prongs but the quartz sleeve goes in under pressure and
must line up just right, a real PIA.

> Anyway. Still like the product. Just wish I could get a maintenance
> free pond...
>
> Carl

I wish I had the money to hire someone to clean the filters and do the water
changes...........
--
Koi-Lo....
Frugal ponding since 1995.
Aquariums since 1952.
My Pond & Aquarium Pages:
http://tinyurl.com/9do58
~~~ }<((((o> ~~~ }<{{{{o> ~~~ }<(((((o>

[[email protected]]

mine is nearly maintenance free. I only clean up the veggie filter once in fall.
Ingrid

"Gareee©" > wrote:

>"Carl Beyer"
>wrote:
>
>Just wish I could get a "maintenance free pond"...
>
>Isn't that an oxy-moron?



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