Fluval UVC Inline Clarifier Unit 3w
Wattage
3 W
Water type
Freshwater + Marine
Running cost
~$8/yr
Warranty
3 years
Voltage
100-240 V / 50-60 Hz
Fluval UVC Inline Clarifier Unit 3w
Clears cloudy, green water without another chemical dosed into the tank. The Fluval UVC In-Line Clarifier is a 3-watt ultraviolet steriliser that plumbs into your existing filter's output line. As water passes the UVC lamp, suspended algae and free-floating bacteria are irradiated and killed before they can cloud the water or feed a bloom – it treats what's already in the water column rather than adding anything to it.
Key features
- 3W CCFL lamp – a cold cathode fluorescent bulb rather than a standard UV tube, running cooler and rated for 30,000 hours before replacement
- In-line design – connects to any filter's output hose rather than needing its own pump
- Status light – tells you when the bulb has reached end of life, rather than guessing
- Rated to 400 L (100 US Gal) at up to 930 L/h through-flow
- Universal voltage – 100–240 V, so it runs on Australian 240 V/50 Hz without a converter
Specifications
| Lamp | 3W CCFL, 253 nm peak, 30,000 hour rated life |
|---|---|
| Max tank size | 400 L / 100 US Gal |
| Max flow rate | 930 L/h / 245 US GPH |
| Hose diameter | 16 mm / 5/8" |
| Dimensions | 160 x 130 x 66 mm |
| Voltage | 100–240 V / 50–60 Hz |
| Water type | Freshwater, marine and turtle aquariums |
| Replacement bulb | Fluval item PF181 |
Will it fit my setup?
The unit connects in-line on 16 mm (5/8") hose, on the output side of your filter, not the intake – Fluval specifies mounting it vertically with the hose connections at the top and the mounting screws at the bottom. It works with any filter capable of pushing water through an extra fitting; it does not include or need its own pump. Above 930 L/h of total system flow, water passes the lamp too quickly for effective contact time and clarification drops off.
Performance – what it actually kills
UVC output is only useful in the context of what's passing it and how fast. Fluval's own guidance for this unit:
- Suspended algae – eliminated, and can partially inhibit surface algae growth over time
- Free-floating bacteria causing cloudy water – killed. Beneficial filter bacteria are unaffected, because they colonise surfaces rather than living in the water column
- Parasites – not effective. Parasites are physically too large for a unit this size to sterilise; this is a water-clarity tool, not a disease treatment
Fluval does not publish a µW·s/cm² dose figure against flow rate for this model, so that exact number can't be stated here – what is published is the practical guidance below, which is what actually determines results.
Start by running it intermittently, around 4 hours a day, and increase the run time gradually if the water hasn't cleared. Most tanks plumbed permanently in-line simply run it continuously alongside the filter, which is the assumption used for the running cost below.
Running costs
At 3 W, running continuously (24 hours a day, 365 days a year) works out to about 26 kWh a year – roughly $7.90 a year at 30c/kWh. Run on Fluval's recommended intermittent 4-hours-a-day starting point instead and that drops to around 4.4 kWh, or roughly $1.30 a year.
Suitable for
Freshwater, marine and turtle aquariums up to 400 L where the goal is clearer water and lower free-floating algae and bacteria. Not suitable as a substitute for medication, and not effective against parasites.
Not included
A separate circulation pump – this unit relies entirely on your existing filter's flow. It does not add flow to the system on its own.
Care and maintenance
Replace the bulb when the status light turns red – Fluval rates the CCFL lamp at 30,000 hours, which is several years of typical use, well beyond the shorter life of a standard UV tube. Turn the unit off during any course of fish medication; Fluval notes that UVC exposure can reduce medication effectiveness, and switch it back on only once the course is finished.
Safety
Mains-powered – keep all connections and the power lead clear of water and follow the enclosed instructions for mounting orientation. Safe for planted tanks and compatible with liquid plant fertilisers. In reef systems it can affect some free-floating microorganisms in the water column; established populations typically remain abundant.
Warranty and delivery
Covered by Fluval's manufacturer warranty against defects, in addition to your rights under the Australian Consumer Law, which cannot be excluded. Ships as a standard parcel.
Common questions
Does this replace my filter?
No. It plumbs into your existing filter's output hose and relies on that filter's flow – it has no pump of its own.
Will it cure whitespot or another parasite outbreak?
No. Parasites are too large for UVC light at this scale to affect. Use it for water clarity, not disease treatment.
Can I leave it running all the time?
Yes, and most owners do once it's plumbed in. Fluval's starting recommendation of 4 hours a day is just that – a starting point, not a limit.
Do I need to turn it off to dose medication?
Yes. UVC exposure has been shown to reduce medication effectiveness, so switch it off for the full treatment course.
Will it harm my reef tank's plankton?
It can affect some free-floating microorganisms, but established populations in a healthy reef system typically remain abundant.
