UV light smells?

slimfitz · 04/25/2018, 04:27 PM

Hello, I just purchased a Aqua Ultraviolet 40 watt UV classic. Upon receiving the light and opening it up I noticed quartz sleeve was broken in shipping. So I wanted to make sure the bulb itself was still good. I plugged the bulb into the cord and turned it on hanging in the middle of my garage so it was not touching anything for about 5 min. The bulb did turn on but gives off a strong odor similar to the smell of welding. Is this normal for the bulb to stink like that? It also did not appear super bright. I was trying not to stare at it but quickly glance its direction from across the garage. I get it it gives off radiation so dont look at it. So my question is should it stink and how bright should it be?

slief · 04/25/2018, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slimfitz

Hello, I just purchased a Aqua Ultraviolet 40 watt UV classic. Upon receiving the light and opening it up I noticed quartz sleeve was broken in shipping. So I wanted to make sure the bulb itself was still good. I plugged the bulb into the cord and turned it on hanging in the middle of my garage so it was not touching anything for about 5 min. The bulb did turn on but gives off a strong odor similar to the smell of welding. Is this normal for the bulb to stink like that? It also did not appear super bright. I was trying not to stare at it but quickly glance its direction from across the garage. I get it it gives off radiation so dont look at it. So my question is should it stink and how bright should it be?

UV bulbs can generate ozone. When the bulb is encapsulated in the quartz sleeve, you won’t smell it. I suspect that is what you may be smelling. UV is also a wavelength that doesn’t appear very bright to the eyes so that may be why it doesn’t appear bright. That said, I’d contact the vendor and let them know the bulb may also be damaged. While its likely just fine, they may swap it for you. If you bought the UV used, you would be best served buying a new bulb anyways as the AquaUV bulbs degrade in effectiveness after a year of use.

slimfitz · 04/25/2018, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slief

UV bulbs can generate ozone. When the bulb is encapsulated in the quartz sleeve, you won’t smell it. I suspect that is what you may be smelling. UV is also a wavelength that doesn’t appear very bright to the eyes so that may be why it doesn’t appear bright. That said, I’d contact the vendor and let them know the bulb may also be damaged. While its likely just fine, they may swap it for you. If you bought the UV used, you would be best served buying a new bulb anyways as the AquaUV bulbs degrade in effectiveness after a year of use.

It was purchased new. I think it might be working properly. I just dont know. I do not have another bulb to compare it to that why I was asking. I didnt know that ozone gave off a smell like that. Im sure if it was in the quartz sleeve all sealed up I would not smell it.

slief · 04/25/2018, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slimfitz

It was purchased new. I think it might be working properly. I just dont know. I do not have another bulb to compare it to that why I was asking. I didnt know that ozone gave off a smell like that. Im sure if it was in the quartz sleeve all sealed up I would not smell it.

When UV like that is exposed to air, the contact with oxygen generates ozone through a process called photolysis. It’s likely partly that which you smell. UV oxidizes things that it comes in contact with so even dust in the air that comes in direct contact with it will get oxidized and you may smell it. If you touched the bulb (which you should never do), the oils from our skin will burn off when the bulb is illuminated which will also result in a smell of some sort. When I swap bulbs, I always handle them from the metal ends making sure to never touch the glass as the oils in your skin aren’t good for the bulbs and can cause a dark spot or area on the bulb that is less effective.

slimfitz · 04/25/2018, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slief

When UV like that is exposed to air, the contact with oxygen generates ozone through a process called photolysis. It’s likely partly that which you smell. UV oxidizes things that it comes in contact with so even dust in the air that comes in direct contact with it will get oxidized and you may smell it. If you touched the bulb (which you should never do), the oils from our skin will burn off when the bulb is illuminated which will also result in a smell of some sort. When I swap bulbs, I always handle them from the metal ends making sure to never touch the glass as the oils in your skin aren’t good for the bulbs and can cause a dark spot or area on the bulb that is less effective.

I did not touch the bulb. I held it with the cardboard packing it came it

tkeracer619 · 04/26/2018, 08:02 PM

Also. You should not be looking at the bulb.

Dmorty217 · 04/27/2018, 05:55 AM

+1^ Turning the bulb on and off will decrease the life of the bulb by nearly half its lifespan. When you get it setup on your tank, turn it on and leave it on until you need to replace the bulb (once per year on average)

Tripod1404 · 04/27/2018, 01:28 PM

Yeah looking at UV bulbs is a fast way to get blind or have cataracts.

slimfitz · 04/27/2018, 08:51 PM

Yes I know I should'nt be looking at it. I treated it like a welding flash. I was just trying to make sure it turned on correctly

04/25/2018, 04:27 PM	#1
slimfitz Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 68	UV light smells? Hello, I just purchased a Aqua Ultraviolet 40 watt UV classic. Upon receiving the light and opening it up I noticed quartz sleeve was broken in shipping. So I wanted to make sure the bulb itself was still good. I plugged the bulb into the cord and turned it on hanging in the middle of my garage so it was not touching anything for about 5 min. The bulb did turn on but gives off a strong odor similar to the smell of welding. Is this normal for the bulb to stink like that? It also did not appear super bright. I was trying not to stare at it but quickly glance its direction from across the garage. I get it it gives off radiation so dont look at it. So my question is should it stink and how bright should it be?

04/26/2018, 08:02 PM	#6
tkeracer619 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Westminster, CO Posts: 17,289	Also. You should not be looking at the bulb. __________________ Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers. Current Tank: Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k.

04/27/2018, 05:55 AM	#7
Dmorty217 Saltwater Addict Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Vandalia OHIO Posts: 11,624	+1^ Turning the bulb on and off will decrease the life of the bulb by nearly half its lifespan. When you get it setup on your tank, turn it on and leave it on until you need to replace the bulb (once per year on average) __________________ Fish are not disposable commodities, but a worthwhile investment that can be maintained and enjoyed for many years, providing one is willing to take the time to understand their requirements and needs Current Tank Info: 625g, 220g sump, RD3 230w, Vectra L1 on a closed loop, 3 MP60s, MP40. Several QTs

04/27/2018, 01:28 PM	#8
Tripod1404 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Posts: 1,821	Yeah looking at UV bulbs is a fast way to get blind or have cataracts.

04/27/2018, 08:51 PM	#9
slimfitz Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 68	Yes I know I should'nt be looking at it. I treated it like a welding flash. I was just trying to make sure it turned on correctly