IceCap 18w UV Bulb
SKU: IP-UV-18B
- 100% Genuine OEM Factory Part: Manufactured directly by IceCap as an exact electrical current and pinning match to ensure flawless mercury-vapor ballast ignition.
- Aggressive Germicidal Output: Radiates an intense UVC energy field (50 μW/cm2) designed to quickly wipe out free-floating parasites, water-borne bacteria, and green water blooms.
- Extended 10,000-Hour Operating Life: Engineered with heavy-duty filaments to provide up to a full year of continuous, uninterrupted biological filtration protection.
- Low-Heat 18W Power Profile: Calibrated to draw a steady 800mA current stream, preventing unexpected water temperature spikes in small all-in-one aquariums.
- Universal Water Application: Completely safe and optimized for use in marine reef aquariums, freshwater aquascapes, and indoor frag systems.
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IceCap In-Sump 18 Watt High-Output UV Replacement Lamp (SKU: IP-UV-18B)
The IceCap In-Sump 18 Watt High-Output UV Replacement Lamp (SKU: IP-UV-18B) is an authentic structural OEM germicidal component distributed by CoralVue to preserve pristine water clarity and combat pathogen outbreaks in marine reef and freshwater ecosystems. Ultraviolet clarification is a highly efficient, non-chemical defensive line that targets floating microorganisms passing directly through the water column. However, because UV lamps rely on a decaying internal mercury-vapor gas matrix to produce critical shortwave UVC light, their effective energy drop-off is steep. Over a year of non-stop operation (roughly 10,000 hours), the lamp may still glow a visible blue color, but its hidden pathogen-killing output will fall below functional limits, causing green water or bacterial blooms to reappear. Swapping out the bulb annually resets your sterilizer back to factory-spec clear metrics.
Molded to meet precise structural tolerances, this 7.3-inch high-output bulb integrates perfectly with the internal quartz sleeve track of the IceCap In-Sump 18W UV Sterilizer unit (Item # IC-UVR-18INT). The base of the lamp features rigid alignment prongs that connect securely into the standard wiring harness of the electronic smart ballast. By swapping out your degraded bulb for this original factory part, you safely eliminate troublesome ignition warnings, maintain low running costs, and safeguard your sensitive coral reef ecosystem from aggressive external infestations.
Key Features
Halts Pathogen and Parasite Spread: Disrupts the cellular replication cycles of nuisance dinoflagellates, cloudy bacterial blooms, and free-swimming parasites before they multiply.
Zero Chemical Impact Filtration: Clarifies dense "green water" without altering your delicate water chemistry or harming beneficial biological colonies colonized in your sand or ceramic media.
Prevents Ballast Ignition Alarms: Matches factory impedance specs perfectly to stop annoying audible alarm beeps and red error codes from flashing on your electronic ballast display.
(Note: This retail SKU contains (1) individual standalone 18W UV Replacement Bulb. Sealed quartz sleeve housings, compression locking nuts, waterproof casing gaskets, DC feed pumps, and replacement electronic ballasts are sold under separate product categories).
IceCap High-Output UV Bulb Selector Grid
| Component Wattage Tier | Material SKU Identifier | Physical Bulb Length | UVC Energy Density Rating | Target Sterilizer Vessel Line |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18W HO UV Lamp | IP-UV-18B | 7.3 Inches (185mm) | 50 μW/cm2 Output | IceCap In-Sump 18W (IC-UVR-18INT) |
| 27W HO UV Lamp | IP-UV-27B | 11.3 Inches (287mm) | 75 μW/cm2 Output | IceCap In-Sump 27W (IC-UVR-27INT) |
| 40W HO UV Lamp | IP-UV-40B | 15.75 Inches (400mm) | 105 μW/cm2 Output | IceCap In-Sump 40W (IC-UVR-40INT) |
| 90W HO UV Lamp | IP-UV-90B | 35.2 Inches (894mm) | 162 μW/cm2 Output | IceCap Classic Inline 90W System |
What’s Included:
(1) IceCap 18W High-Output Replacement UV Germicidal Bulb
Technical Specs:
Official Manufacturing Title: IceCap Replacement UV Lamp - 18 Watt
SKU / Factory Part Identifier: IP-UV-18B
Total Power Consumption Rate: 18 Watts @ 120V Line Current
Internal Gas Arc Velocity: 800mA Regulated Stream
Peak Germicidal Spectrum Node: 254 Nanometers (UVC Waveband)
Estimated Functional Useful Lifespan: 10,000 Total Continuous Hours
Chassis Platform Compatibility: Form-Fitted strictly for the IceCap IC-UVR-18INT In-Sump Sterilizer Vessel
- Unplug the main power supply line to the UV ballast from your wall outlet. Disconnect the feed pump power source and pull the entire sterilizer out of your sump to a clean, dry table.
- Unthread the protective cord-lock nut on top of the housing and carefully pull up on the ballast wire to slide the old lamp assembly entirely out of the dry quartz sleeve.
- Grip the base of the old lamp and pull it straight away from the electrical socket block. Avoid twisting the pins.
- The Critical Glass Handling Rule: Slide the fresh IP-UV-18B bulb out of its box. Never touch the glass surface of the new bulb with your bare hands. Use a clean paper towel or microfiber cloth to hold the base. Pro Tip: If you accidentally touch the glass, wipe it down immediately with a soft towel dipped in rubbing alcohol to remove skin oils.
- Press the prongs of your new bulb firmly into the electrical socket plug until it snaps completely flush.
- Slide the new bulb straight down into the dry quartz sleeve of the sterilizer vessel. Thread the top retaining collar nut clockwise by hand until tight, check that your gaskets are seated, place the unit back in your sump, and restore electrical power.
Pro Tips:
- Never Touch the Glass of the New UV Bulb with Your Bare Skin. When handling your fresh IP-UV-18B lamp during an annual changeout, always handle it using a clean paper towel or a pair of gloves. Your fingers leave a micro-layer of natural skin oils across the quartz glass surface. When the ballast turns on and the bulb heats up to its high operating temperature, those skin oils will permanently bake into the glass, creating an opaque hot-spot. This baked-on oily patch will crack the glass envelope or physically block UVC rays from passing through, significantly reducing your sterilizer's efficiency.
- Always Clean the Outside of the Quartz Sleeve Along with Your Bulb Change. Every time you open up your sterilizer to swap out a degraded bulb, you must pull the clear quartz sleeve out and inspect it. Because the sleeve is continuously surrounded by a high-flow stream of saltwater, a thin film of white calcium scale, mineral crust, and organic sludge will slowly bake onto the outer glass face over time. If left uncleaned, this crust acts like a physical shield that blocks the ultraviolet light before it can touch your aquarium water. Soak the sleeve in warm vinegar or citric acid for 20 minutes to dissolve all scale until it is perfectly clear before reassembly.
- Never Look Directly at the Light Tube Prism Face While It Is Powered On.
- WARNING: Direct exposure to shortwave ultraviolet (UVC) radiation is incredibly hazardous to your skin and eyes. Never plug the replacement lamp into your ballast socket to check if it works while it is out on your workbench. Looking directly at an unshielded active UV lamp can cause painful, permanent corneal eye damage, severe view clouding, and skin burns. Always make sure the replacement lamp is fully lowered inside its opaque container vessel with all retaining nuts tightened down before turning on the power source.