{"product_id":"fluval-uvc-inline-clarifier-unit-3w","title":"Fluval UVC Inline Clarifier Unit 3w","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eClears cloudy, green water without another chemical dosed into the tank.\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eKey features\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e3W CCFL lamp\u003c\/strong\u003e — a cold cathode fluorescent bulb rather than a standard UV tube, running cooler and rated for 30,000 hours before replacement\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIn-line design\u003c\/strong\u003e — connects to any filter's output hose rather than needing its own pump\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStatus light\u003c\/strong\u003e — tells you when the bulb has reached end of life, rather than guessing\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRated to 400 L (100 US Gal)\u003c\/strong\u003e at up to 930 L\/h through-flow\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eUniversal voltage\u003c\/strong\u003e — 100–240 V, so it runs on Australian 240 V\/50 Hz without a converter\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eLamp\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3W CCFL, 253 nm peak, 30,000 hour rated life\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eMax tank size\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e400 L \/ 100 US Gal\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eMax flow rate\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e930 L\/h \/ 245 US GPH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHose diameter\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e16 mm \/ 5\/8\"\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDimensions\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e160 x 130 x 66 mm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eVoltage\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e100–240 V \/ 50–60 Hz\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWater type\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFreshwater, marine and turtle aquariums\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eReplacement bulb\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFluval item PF181\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWill it fit my setup?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe unit connects in-line on 16 mm (5\/8\") hose, on the \u003cstrong\u003eoutput\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003ePerformance — what it actually kills\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eUVC output is only useful in the context of what's passing it and how fast. Fluval's own guidance for this unit:\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSuspended algae\u003c\/strong\u003e — eliminated, and can partially inhibit surface algae growth over time\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFree-floating bacteria\u003c\/strong\u003e causing cloudy water — killed. Beneficial filter bacteria are unaffected, because they colonise surfaces rather than living in the water column\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eParasites\u003c\/strong\u003e — not effective. Parasites are physically too large for a unit this size to sterilise; this is a water-clarity tool, not a disease treatment\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eFluval 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eStart 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eRunning costs\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eAt 3 W, running continuously (24 hours a day, 365 days a year) works out to about \u003cstrong\u003e26 kWh a year\u003c\/strong\u003e — roughly \u003cstrong\u003e$7.90 a year\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eSuitable for\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eFreshwater, 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eNot included\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eA separate circulation pump — this unit relies entirely on your existing filter's flow. It does not add flow to the system on its own.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eCare and maintenance\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eReplace 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eSafety\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eMains-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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWarranty and delivery\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eCovered 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003ch4\u003eDoes this replace my filter?\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cp\u003eNo. It plumbs into your existing filter's output hose and relies on that filter's flow — it has no pump of its own.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch4\u003eWill it cure whitespot or another parasite outbreak?\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cp\u003eNo. Parasites are too large for UVC light at this scale to affect. Use it for water clarity, not disease treatment.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch4\u003eCan I leave it running all the time?\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cp\u003eYes, 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch4\u003eDo I need to turn it off to dose medication?\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cp\u003eYes. UVC exposure has been shown to reduce medication effectiveness, so switch it off for the full treatment course.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch4\u003eWill it harm my reef tank's plankton?\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt can affect some free-floating microorganisms, but established populations in a healthy reef system typically remain abundant.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Fluval","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55293311385891,"sku":"PF180","price":122.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/fluval-uvc-inline-clarifier-43875501736227.webp?v=1790236916","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/fluval-uvc-inline-clarifier-unit-3w","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}