UV lamp
Our natural alternative to a UV lamp or UVC lamp: Pond Clearer Package
Buying a UV lamp? Don't!
Think every pond needs a UV lamp or UVC bulb? Think again! A well-designed pond with plants will save you energy as well as worry.
What does a UV lamp do?
A UV lamp effectively kills algae and keeps pond water clear, but it also has drawbacks. This lamp uses 2 to 4 watts per 1,000 gallons of water, which can vary with the amount of fish and other conditions. The lamp must be replaced often, sometimes every season, leading to high energy costs and regular maintenance.
Plants can do this too!
A cheaper and more natural alternative are oxygen plants combined with pond bacteria. The plants oxygenate the water, absorb excess nutrients and help prevent algae growth. The bacteria break down waste and keep the water naturally balanced. This keeps your pond clear without the costs and drawbacks of a UV lamp.
Customers give us a 9.2/10
My vision is to let nature do its work in your pond. You don't need to buy all kinds of measuring equipment and water improvers. If the fish are swimming nicely and the plants are growing well, you know the water is of good quality.
UV Lamp vs. pond bacteria
A pond pump becomes unnecessary in a pond that is properly decorated with oxygen plants. These plants purify and aerate the water, produce oxygen, absorb nutrients, and prevent algae growth. As a result, they improve water quality and biological balance in the pond.
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
UV Lamp |
pond bacteria |
|
| ❌ Disturbed | ✅ Restores and promotes | |
| ❌ Temporary | ✅ Continuous | |
| ❌ Regularly | ✅ Minimal | |
| ❌ May be harmful | ✅ Safe | |
| ❌ Replacement & flow | ✅ Low cost | |
| ❌ Some years | ✅ Long-term | |
| ❌ Power consumption | ✅ Environmentally friendly | |
| ✅ Kills algae | ✅ Prevents overgrowth | |
| ❌ More complex | ✅ Simple | |
| ❌ Potentially hazardous | ✅ Safe |
Oxygen plant packages for a clear pond
Click on the image for an explanation of how to calculate the number of gallons of water in your pond.
Clear Pond Kit - S
- For 100 - 400 liters of water
- Oxygen plants + pond bacteria
- Placement: loose in the water
Clear Pond Kit - M
- For 500 - 1.250 L
- Oxygen plants + bacteria
- Placement: loose in the water
Clear Pond Kit - L
- For 1.500 - 3.000 L
- Oxygen plants + bacteria
- Placement: loose in the water
Clear Pond Kit - XL
- For 3,500 - 6,000 L
- Oxygen plants + bacteria
- Placement: loose in the water
Clear Pond Kit - XXXL
- For 10,000 - 15,000 L
- Oxygen plants + bacteria
- Placement: loose in the water
Simon van der Velde
Pond specialist & aquatic plant breeder
Tip from Simon: More plants in your pond is always better.
Too few plants increases the risk of algae and plant death. If necessary, choose additional plants you like in addition to the package.
This is what our customers say!
Excellent 
200+ reviews at 
Marjoke Bakker
Oxygenating plants and a bottle of Bacta clear
Purchased: Pond clear package - M
My pond was quite murky, so after a good conversation with Simon, I decided to follow the advice: more oxygen plants and a bottle of bacteria. I ordered the recommended package, but after four days no improvement was visible. Full of disappointment, I contacted customer service. They advised me to be patient and give the process 2-3 weeks. Although I had my doubts about it, I decided to wait anyway. And what turned out? After two weeks, the water started to clear and I even saw frogs that I had never noticed before! Thanks team vdvelde, and apologies for my impatience!
Patrick Müller
Plants are growing much better now and water is crystal clear
Purchased: POND SUBSTRATE pond substrate - 40 liters
Last year I had a landscaper install a plant filter at my swimming pond, recommending lava and some plants from the local garden center. Unfortunately, things went completely wrong; the plants died one by one and I suffered an algae infestation. After contacting customer service, I was advised to replace the lava with pond substrate and order some more plants. Now, several months later, the plants are growing well, and my filter is finally free of algae.
Fenna Schmidt
My little city pond
Purchased: Complete Pond Package - S - Red
I had been dreaming of having a pond in my urban garden for some time, but it always seemed like such a hassle. Online I found a complete package and decided to take the gamble, although I was skeptical about the quality of plants sent through the mail. But to my surprise, everything was delivered neatly and well-packaged. Within no time I had my pond set up. To my delight, after only two months I saw the first water lily bloom, and as icing on the cake I discovered salamanders in my pond. No idea how they got there, but it only adds to the joy. Truly enjoying it!
Susi Werner
A must for anyone with a pond (large or small)
Purchased: Simons Pond Advice Book
This book completely meets my expectations. A great guide with lots of great tips on pond construction, pond plants and design.
Highly recommended purchase on my part.
Great book!
Jules Chabot
Blue lily: beautiful!
Purchased: Hardy Blue Water Lily - Nymphaea Blue Queen
Thank you very much for the generous delivery of the swamp iris "Blue Lis".
The new plants have been planted and I am curious to see if they will bloom this year.
There is good news about the water lily "Blue Queen": It is also blooming here in blue - and how beautiful!
How long should the UV lamp be on in the pond?
In traditional pond systems where pumps and the like are used to keep the water clear, a UV lamp is often left on continuously, or 24 hours a day, especially in spring and summer when the sun shines the most and algae blooms are at their highest. However, it is also possible to turn on the UV lamp less frequently. You can choose to turn on the lamp only when you observe a visible increase in algae or during periods of intense sunshine. In such a scenario, for example, the lamp can be turned on daily for 4-6 hours. This reduces energy consumption and environmental impact while still helping to somewhat control algae blooms. It is important to remember, however, that a UV lamp only addresses floating algae and not the cause of the algae bloom. Want to combat all types of algae so you don't have to deal with pond problems again? Then make sure your pond is set up correctly: Through our step-by-step plan.
What does a UV lamp do in the pond?
A UV lamp in the pond, also called a UV clarifier or UV sterilizer, has the main purpose of fighting floating algae, keeping the pond clear. Here's how it works:
- Fighting Float Algae: When pond water containing floating algae passes through a UV light device, the algae are exposed to ultraviolet light. This UV light damages the algae's DNA, causing them to die and clump.
- Clumping: After the algae are killed by UV radiation, they clump together to form larger particles.
- Filtration: These larger particles are then more easily removed by the pond filter. Once the water flows through the filter, these larger clumps of algae are sifted out of the water and the water remains clear.
- Pathogen Reduction: Although the primary goal is to control floating algae, a UV lamp can also help reduce harmful bacteria and pathogens in the water, contributing to a healthier pond environment for fish and other inhabitants.
It is important to emphasize that while a UV lamp is effective in keeping pond water clear by controlling floating algae, it does not address excess nutrients or causes of algae blooms. Therefore, we always recommend setting up the pond in a complete manner according to our step-by-step plan over mechanical equipment such as pumps, filters and lights.
Is a UV lamp necessary in the pond?
Many people assume that a UV lamp is essential for controlling algae in the pond and keeping the water crystal clear. This belief is mainly because algae blooms are a common problem in ponds and using UV light is a direct and effective way to kill floating algae. But what many do not realize is that a pond, if properly constructed and maintained, can also stay clear and healthy naturally.
Our step-by-step plan offers an organic approach to maintain pond balance and avoid the need for a UV lamp:
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- pond substrate: Establishing a good pond substrate provides a solid foundation. It provides a place for beneficial bacteria to settle and helps break down organic waste.
- Oxygen Plants: These plants are essential in any pond. They produce oxygen, which is essential for pond life, while helping to remove excess nutrients from the water, preventing the growth of algae.
- water lilies: Not only are they beautiful, but water lilies provides shade, which limits algae growth by reducing the amount of direct sunlight in the pond.
- Sumpfpflanzen: These plants, often placed at the edges or shallow areas of the pond, help filter the water and also provide habitat for beneficial insects and other animals.
- aquatic plants: Various aquatic plants absorb nutrients from the water that would otherwise feed algae. They act as a natural filter and contribute to pond biodiversity by attracting beneficial insects such as bees and butterflies to the plants.
- pond bacteria: Introducing specific pond bacteria helps break down organic matter and reduce algae blooms. They play an important role in maintaining natural balance of pond water.
By carefully following these steps, you can create a pond that is not only beautiful, but also balanced and healthy, without relying on UV light or other mechanical means, resulting in a natural-looking pond that saves you time and money.
