How do tell if my UV bulb is still good?

[UCrazyKid]

Any suggestions?

 

[austinsdad]

Isn't there something in the directions that rates'm for X number of months? Why not just use that as a guide? Not sure how one could tell by looking at if its good.

 

[austinsdad]

Oh yeah. Almost forgot....

Welcome to AA!

What kinda setup and fishies ya got? How long ya been doing it.

 

[Sam]

I would change it at a minimum, annually. HTH 8)

 

[UCrazyKid]

Thanks for the welcoming! Well I don't have anything yet. I'm resurrecting a 60 gal system that has been in storage for 5 years. I now have the space for it and am trying to get started. So far I have it in my garage and I have polished out the scratches, fixed the filters so they no longer leak, refinished the cabinet, and replaced the filter media. I'm now in the process of re-plumbing the system with new hose. Once I have everything set up like I want I will venture to move it into the house, fill it with crushed coral and put water in it.

The tank consists of a 60 Gal Truvu
a Truvu wet dry system
Fluval 303 canister
protein skimmer
Angstrum (maybe?) UV sterilizer
and a bunch of power heads

I used to have an aggressive fish only tank. I had a Black Volitan Lion ~6", a Pink Tailed Triger ~5" and a Picasso Huma ~5".

I ran it for about 4 years and then had to move so I shut it down and stored it away under my parents house. Now I have the space for it, so I'm starting it again.

As for the UV, I don't have any idea how many months/hours are on it. It still puts out light, as the whole thing glows when it is turned on. The bulbs are expensive and I donut even know if I can still get a bulb for this model since it is about 14 years old.

Andy

 

[austinsdad]

I'd also fill it with FW and turn the pumps on to test for leaks before you bring it in the house if possible.

 

[Sam]

Well with regard to the bulb. Sometimes it may be less effective without you being able to tell by visual inspection alone. IMHO, I would start with a fresh set of bulbs, this way you wil know when you fired them up and when to replace them. HTH

 

[UCrazyKid]

Thanks for all the advice. I'll try running it in my garage before moving it to the house.
Andy