Emperor Aquatics SMART UV - LITE 40 watt
SMART UV Lite Sterilizers deliver optimum protection against harmful aquarium pathogens. Available in 18, 25, 40 & 80 watt sizes for freshwater and saltwater aquariums of up to 400 gallons.
All aquarium Ultraviolet Sterilizers are not designed equally and the proof can be seen in our SMART UV Lite models. Sterilizer size is a good starting point. SMART UV Lite's are clearly larger than other UV brands because we maximize the UV exposure area by positioning our UV lamp(s) between the water inlet and outlet ports. This utilizes the UV lamp to it's maximum potential. The SMART UV Lite's watertight design protects all electrical hardware from corrosive saltwater damage. Next, our SMART Ballast operates the UV lamp efficiently while resisting failure from water damage due to a leaky seal. Lastly, we promise never to over-rate our SMART UV Sterilizers performance specifications. SMART UV Aquarium Water Flow Rates represent accurate UV doses required to successfully irradiate harmful protozoa while matching the model's true operating capacity. SMART UV Design.
Please compare our SMART UV Lite design and information to any other aquarium UV competitor, we encourage the validation of information. If you want to purchase the best UV Sterilizer for your aquarium, consider this: Durability and features aside, SMART UV Lite models are supported by a customer service team that's second to none. That level of quality is apparent in the long list of public aquariums, research facilities and fish hatcheries that rely on Emperor Aquatics UV equipment. Please view the list of clients on our resume page.
SMART UV Lite Sterilizer Specifications - Body Dia 2" |
Model No./
Watts |
Maximum Aquarium Size |
No. Lamps/
Watts |
Water Flow Rate
Algae & Bacteria
30,000 µWs/cm²
Suggested/Maximum |
Water Flow Rate
Protozoa
180,000 µWs/cm²
Suggested/Maximum |
Input Watts |
UV-C Output Watts |
Dimensions (inches) |
Inlet/Outlet |
Input Voltage |
| 18 |
60 Gallons |
1/18 |
219 GPH/356 GPH |
37 GPH/60 GPH |
18 |
5 |
21.75" x 2.5" |
1.5" Union |
120 VAC 50/60Hz |
| 25 |
90 Gallons |
1/25 |
332 GPH/554 GPH |
55 GPH/92 GPH |
25 |
8 |
29.75" x 2.5" |
1.5" Union |
120 VAC 50/60Hz |
| 40 |
160 Gallons |
1/40 |
589 GPH/983 GPH |
98 GPH/164 GPH |
40 |
14 |
44.75" x 2.5" |
1.5" Union |
120 VAC 50/60Hz |
| 80 |
330 Gallons |
2/40 |
1,178 GPH/1,967 GPH |
196 GPH/328 GPH |
80 |
28 |
44.75" x 2.5" |
1.5" Union |
120 VAC 50/60Hz |
*Suggested flow rates are based on "end of lamp's useful life" performance (80% power)
*Maximum flow rates are based on new lamp output (100% power)
*Flow rates consider 90% UV transmissibility
*UV Housing carries a lifetime warranty against UV degradation and manufacturing defects.
- All SMART UV Sterilizers are watertight
(providing that all SMART UV INSTRUCTIONS are followed correctly).
- Durable, heavy-wall construction increases product longevity and delivers many years of trouble-free operation. SMART UV Sterilizers are generally larger in size to provide a greater UV exposure area. They
also utilize the UV Lamp's Arc Length and UV-C output to its maximum potential by positioning the UV Lamp(s) entirely between the inlet/outlet ports.
- All SMART UV Sterilizer models feature our highest quality, longest-lasting GPH T5 & T6 UV Lamps. They're made of chemically treated Hard Quartz "L" Glass (non-ozone emitting) to prevent nitrogen by-product deposits that can result in a significant loss of UV Transmittance through the UV Lamp's glass envelope
and quartz sleeve. All of our UV Lamps deliver an impressive 9,000 hours of continual operation while still maintaining 80% efficiency.
- Easy-to-operate Quartz Sleeve/UV Lamp Power Assembly design allows for the removal of the entire
Power Assembly for easy cleaning of the glass and the interior of the UV Sterilizer housing.
- Exclusive SMART Ballast delivers precise input wattage to the lamp, maximizing UV-C output and UV Lamp life. SMART Ballasts are positioned remotely on the "19.5 ft. power cord", away from the UV Sterilizer housing, to increase overall safety. SMART Ballasts are sealed and resist water damage in the event of a quartz sleeve failure.
- Clear viewing ports are positioned at both ends of the UV Sterilizer housing for safe internal inspection during operation.
- Optional Quartz Sleeve Wipers allow for easy removal of soft waste deposits without interrupting UV Lamp operation. Sterilizer and HO models feature our one-piece power/wiper assembly that simplifies servicing.
NOTE: All UV Sterilizer gaskets and o-rings must be replaced annually to ensure a watertight seal.
What is UV Sterilization?
The Emperor Aquatics Approach to Successful UV Sterilization
Successful UV Sterilization lies in the details! Science combined with established engineering guidelines. Ultraviolet (UV) sterilization is unmatched in its efficiency, simplicity and dependability when applied as a microorganism disinfectant. Understanding the science (the effect that UV-C light has over a living microorganism) is only the beginning. Learning and following the established engineering guidelines provides control and an objective to achieving successful germicidal disinfection.
The Object of UV Sterilization
To render unwanted or harmful waterborne microorganism's incapable of reproducing using ultraviolet light (specifically the spectral area of UV-C). Ultraviolet light is a spectrum of light just below the range visible to the human eye (see "Light Spectrum" chart). UV light is divided into four distinct spectral areas and they are Vacuum UV (100-200 nm), UV-C (200-800 nm), UV-B (289-315 nm) and UV-A (315-400 nm). These spectral areas are very specific. UV-C (200-280 nm) is the most lethal range as a germicidal disinfectant (capable of altering a living microorganism's DNA, keeping it from reproducing). UV-C, with 264 nanometers being the peak germicidal wavelength, is known as the germicidal spectrum.
UV Sterilizations Benefit & Limitations
It is critical to first identify the microorganism! Each type of microorganism requires a specific UV-C radiation exposure rate to successfully complete the disinfection process. The targeted microorganism must be directly exposed to the UV-C radiation long enough for the radiation to penetrate the microorganism's cell wall. However, it takes only seconds for UV-C light rays to inactivate waterborne microorganisms by breaking through the microorganism's cell wall and disrupting their DNA. This often totally destroys the organism or at the very least, will impair its ability to reproduce.
Benefits
Germicidal disinfection (directly exposing microorganisms to UV-C light) is unmatched by ozone or chlorine for simplicity and safety. Chlorine/bromine leaves a residual in the water that can irritate the skin and eye tissue of mammals, reptiles and birds. Ozone, if not measured and controlled properly, is capable of causing severe tissue damage, even death with fish and invertebrates. In contrast, UV treatment only takes place inside the UV exposure chamber and leaves no residual downstream, and therefore is harmless to the animals in the pond. UV sterilization is a proven solution to waterborne pathogens, viruses, algae, bacteria and protozoa commonly associated with aquatic re-circulating systems.
Limitations
UV sterilization treatment takes place inside the UV exposure housing. Exposure time between the waterborne microorganism and the UV-C light is critical in achieving successful UV disinfection. The condition of the application's water will determine how well the UV-C light penetrates through it (UV transmittance). UV-C is absorbed by the targeted microorganism or by other organic waterborne particles, it is for this reason that UV equipment should be positioned after the mechanical filter, where it receives solids-free water.
4 Steps to SMART UV Sterilization Success
Using a UV Sterilizer successfully begins with:
- Identifying the "Target Microorganism" (example: Waterborne Algae)
- Identifying the Target Microorganism's required UV Dose (example: 22,000 µWs/cm²)
- Receiving Accurate UV Flow Rate Information from the Manufacturer
- Selecting the correct UV model that delivers the required UV dose at your application's flow rate