Maintaining UV sterilizer

[drew1092]

Hello everyone. I just picked up a coralife 18 watt UVS for my 30 gallon reef per many suggestions. I had some questions about maintaining it. The factory bulbs are pretty expensive, $50+ for the 18 watt. What about the cheaper bulbs all over the internet some less than $20? Are they as effective?

Is it safe to clean the quartz sleeve in diluted vinegar? I bought the unit lightly used and soaked the sleeve in vinegar water. Did I just ruin the quartz housing?

Also, I want to use this in my sump. How would you plumb it? I know it needs longer dwell time. Should I just hook it up to my return pump and allow the water to pass through on the way back to the tank? Running mag 7 return pump. Thanks

[Loverotties]

I've used in the past tanks and want to use it again!And use it all the time.

[finaddictfred]

Heres a good article about the UV. I don't use one on my 90 but I have one sitting in the closet just in case.
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/AqBizSubWebIndex/bizuvs.htm
and I hit the wrong votey button thing. More coffee STAT !

[drew1092]

Thanks for the link. That was helpful. Any one know if cleaning the quartz sleeve with vinegar water damages it?

[Loverotties]

No it shouldn't.

[finaddictfred]

Just be certain you don't touch the sleeve with your bare fingers.

[drew1092]

What does touching it do? I have already done that several times to clean it.