IceCap 18w UV Quartz Sleeve
SKU: IP-UV-18SLV
- 100% Genuine OEM Factory Part: Manufactured directly by IceCap as an exact physical diameter and length match for a leak-free structural seal.
- Optical-Grade Quartz Composition: Forged from high-purity quartz glass to guarantee maximum UVC transmission with zero light scattering or spectrum filtering.
- Hermetic Thermal Insulation: Keeps the internal germicidal mercury gas core at its optimal operational temperature for continuous pathogen eradication.
- Corrosion & Acid Stable: Completely unaffected by non-stop exposure to aggressive marine salt air, micro-ozone spikes, and intensive pump scrubbing currents.
- Preventative Maintenance Essential: Replacing a cloudy, heavily scaled, or micro-fractured sleeve restores day-one sterilization and safeguards against short-circuits.
IceCap
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IceCap In-Sump 18 Watt UV Replacement Quartz Sleeve (SKU: IP-UV-18SLV)
The IceCap In-Sump 18 Watt UV Replacement Quartz Sleeve (SKU: IP-UV-18SLV) is an authentic, structural OEM replacement component distributed by CoralVue to preserve peak ultraviolet output and maintain a safe electrical barrier in marine and freshwater aquarium filtration sumps. In-sump ultraviolet clarification acts as a non-chemical safety net, scrambling the cellular DNA/RNA profiles of problematic dinoflagellates, cloudy bacterial blooms, and free-swimming waterborne parasites. However, the system relies entirely on the clarity of the clear quartz sleeve shielding the hot germicidal bulb. Because this sleeve is continuously subjected to a concentrated stream of mineral-heavy tank water, it naturally accumulates a dense layer of calcium scaling, calcified salt creep, and biological slime over months of use. This accumulation permanently clouds the glass, acting like a physical shield that prevents vital UVC rays from interacting with passing water.
Molded to meet tight factory tolerances, this specialized replacement quartz tube drops directly into the internal housing tracking of the IceCap In-Sump 18W UV Sterilizer (Model IC-UVR-18INT). Unlike cheap consumer-grade glass tubes that filter out high-energy wavelengths, the IP-UV-18SLV features a specialized optical-grade quartz structure that provides near-flawless light transmission. Swapping out an old, heavily crusted or accidentally scratched sleeve during your annual maintenance refresh ensures your water column remains crystal clear while keeping raw saltwater completely isolated from your dry electronic ballast wiring loops.
Key Features
Guarantees Uncompromised Pathogen Kill Rates: Maximizes germicidal 254nm radiation delivery across the contact chamber, turning back rapid green hair algae outbreaks.
Bypasses Overtightening Stress Fractures: Serves as an immediate direct replacement for hobbyists who accidentally cracked or shattered their original sleeve during a routine descaling teardown.
Eliminates Ballast and Pump Short-Circuits: Re-establishes a flawless structural barrier inside the vessel casing to keep raw saltwater out of live high-voltage terminal lines.
(Note: This retail SKU contains (1) individual standalone 18W UV Quartz Sleeve. Threaded housing compression nuts, flexible rubber O-ring seal packs, high-output replacement bulbs, and DC feed pumps are sold under separate product categories).
What’s Included:
(1) IceCap 18W High-Transmission Replacement Quartz Sleeve Tube
Technical Specs:
Official Manufacturing Title: IceCap 18w Replacement Quartz Sleeve
SKU / Factory Part Identifier: IP-UV-18SLV
Material Matrix Composition: High-Purity Optical-Grade Fused Quartz Glass
UVC Spectrum Transmission Metric: ≥92% Transmission Efficiency at 254nm
Primary System Pathway Track: Internal Vessel Lamp Containment and Waterproofing Isolation
Chassis Platform Compatibility: Form-Fitted strictly for the IceCap IC-UVR-18INT In-Sump Sterilizer Base
Warranty
CoralVue, Inc. hereby guarantees this product to be free from defects in material and workmanship for a period of:
- 1 Year
Warranty is activated on the date of purchase.
This Standard Limited Warranty applies and is limited as follows:
- To the product only as long as it remains in the possession of the original purchaser.
- To the product that has not been subject to accident, misuse or abuse.
- To the product that has not been modified, altered, defaced, or had repairs made or attempted by other than CoralVue, Inc.
- That CoralVue be immediately notified in writing within ten (10) days of first knowledge of defect by owner or his agent.
- That CoralVue, Inc. shall be given first opportunity to make any repairs, replacements or corrections to the defective construction within a reasonable period of time.
- Under no circumstances shall CoralVue and/or the Manufacturer be liable by virtue of this warranty or otherwise for damage to any person or property whatsoever for any special, indirect, secondary or consequential damages of any nature however arising out of the use or inability to use because of the product defect.
- Unplug the main power supply line to the UV ballast, turn off your dedicated feed pump controller, and lift the entire sterilizer vessel out of your sump cabinet to a dry table.
- Unthread the protective cord-lock assembly nut on top of the housing lid and slide the high-output UV bulb assembly entirely out of the dry sleeve core. Set the bulb down carefully on a soft towel.
- Unthread the compression quartz sleeve housing nut holding the top flange of the glass tube down against the internal vessel framework.
- Carefully pull the old quartz sleeve straight up and away from the body. Warning: If the sleeve is shattered or cracked, use protective gloves to remove the broken glass fragments and clean the inner seat track completely.
- Remove the old rubber sealing gasket from the top track, wipe the groove clean of any debris, and seat a fresh, lightly lubricated rubber gasket into position.
- Slide your new IP-UV-18SLV quartz sleeve straight down into the center cavity, thread the housing compression nut clockwise entirely by hand until tight, lower your bulb back inside, re-secure the top locking ring, and check for leaks before restoring power.
Pro Tips:
- Never Use Pliers or Metal Hand Tools to Tighten the Housing Compression Nut. When securing your fresh IP-UV-18SLV quartz sleeve back into the top of the sterilizer column, always thread and tighten the plastic housing compression nut entirely by hand. Never use household pliers, channel locks, or pipe wrenches. The high brute-force torque from a metal tool will instantly over-compress the top lip of the glass tube, causing the fragile quartz flange to fracture, shatter, or develop a hidden hairline crack that will cause a leak once it is placed under active pump pressure.
- Always Check for a Recessed Gasket Twist to Stop Internal Leaking. The waterproof sealing system on the IceCap in-sump unit depends entirely on the rubber ring gasket compressed by the main housing nut. When lowering the new quartz sleeve into place, check that the rubber gasket sits perfectly flat and level within its recessed tracking groove. If the gasket twists or rolls even a tiny fraction during reassembly, it will create a microscopic gap. Saltwater will slowly track through that gap and flood the inside of the sleeve, shorting your electronics, ruining your bulb filaments, and tripping your home GFCI breaker.
- Soak Your New Sleeve in Vinegar or Citric Acid Every 3 Months to Avoid Replacement. To ensure you get multiple years of reliable service out of your fresh quartz sleeve without having to replace it prematurely, make it a strict habit to pull the tube out and descale it every 3 months. Because the heat generated by the internal bulb causes calcium carbonate to continuously bake onto the outer glass face, a thick white crust forms quickly. Never attempt to scrape this crust off with steel wool, razor blades, or wire brushes, as you will permanently scratch the quartz. Instead, soak the entire tube in a warm citric acid or white vinegar bath for 20 minutes to dissolve the scale completely.