Fluval UVC Inline Clarifier Unit 3w bulb
Wattage
3 W
Fits
Fluval UVC In-Line Clarifier 3W
Part no.
PF181
Replace every
42 months
Fluval UVC Inline Clarifier Unit 3w bulb
Genuine replacement bulb for a Fluval UVC In-Line Clarifier that's stopped clearing the water. This is the 3-watt CCFL (cold cathode fluorescent) lamp for the Fluval UVC In-Line Clarifier 3W unit – the part that actually irradiates and kills suspended algae and bacteria. When the clarifier's status light turns red, this is the fix.
Key features
- Genuine Fluval part – matched to the UVC In-Line Clarifier 3W (SKU PF180)
- 3W CCFL technology – runs cooler than a standard UV tube and resists limescale build-up
- Rated 30,000 hour life – several years of typical use before replacement is due
- 253 nm peak output – the wavelength UVC sterilisation relies on
Specifications
| Fits | Fluval UVC In-Line Clarifier 3W (SKU PF180) only |
|---|---|
| Part number | PF181 |
| Type | 3W CCFL lamp |
| Rated life | 30,000 hours |
| Peak output | 253 nm |
Will it fit my clarifier?
This bulb is sized for Fluval's 3W UVC In-Line Clarifier only. It is not the bulb for the larger Fluval FX UVC In-Line unit or for other manufacturers' UV sterilisers – check the wattage printed on your existing bulb or the model on the clarifier body before ordering.
Care and maintenance
Replace the bulb as soon as the clarifier's status light turns red – UVC output falls off well before the lamp fails outright, so a red light means reduced sterilising power even though the unit still lights up. At 30,000 rated hours, a bulb run continuously works out to roughly three and a half years before it's due; lighter use stretches that further.
Suitable for
Any Fluval UVC In-Line Clarifier 3W (SKU PF180) running freshwater, marine or turtle aquariums.
Warranty and delivery
Genuine Fluval part, covered by the manufacturer against defects, in addition to your rights under the Australian Consumer Law, which cannot be excluded. Ships as a standard parcel.
Common questions
How do I know it's time to replace the bulb?
When the status light on the clarifier unit turns red. Don't wait for the water to visibly cloud up first – output drops before the light changes.
Will this fit the Fluval FX UVC clarifier?
No. That's a separate, higher-output unit with its own bulb.
Can I clean rather than replace the bulb?
No – CCFL output degrades with hours of use regardless of cleaning. Once the status light turns red, replace it.
