IceCap UV Sterilizer User Guide

IceCap UV Sterilizer User Guide
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IceCap UV Sterilizer User Guide

Thank You for Your IceCap Purchase

We appreciate your confidence in our IceCap product.  If for any reason you are missing, have an issue with the product, or just have a simple question please contact our support staff at support.coralvue.com. 

The IceCap UV sterilizer can be used for saltwater, freshwater, and ponds to help control and even eradicate parasites, algae, fungi, bacteria, and protozoa without any harmful chemicals or biocides! When set up, maintained, and properly operated, free-floating microorganisms will be killed by the high output UV light as it passes through the sterilizer. The Icecaps’ UV lamps emit a wavelength that will alter and disrupt the DNA or RNA of single-celled organisms.

IMPORTANT UV WARNING

When installing and using this electrical equipment, basic safety precautions should always be followed. Ultraviolet light is damaging to your eyes and skin! NEVER handle or stare at an operating UV lamp.

Always unplug the unit from an electrical outlet when not in use or before servicing or cleaning. If the UV unit shows any sign of water leakage, immediately unplug it from the power source.

The IceCap UV Sterilizer must be used in conjunction with a properly grounded GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter). If an extension cord is necessary, a cord with a proper rating should be used. A power cord rated for fewer amp or watts than the appliance’s rating may overheat. If in doubt consult a qualified electrician.

PRE-INSTALLATION INSPECTION

All IceCap UV Sterilizer models are packaged complete, with all necessary components that are required to operate the unit. When unpacking your new IceCap sterilizer and take a complete component inventory to ensure that all components are included and nothing is damaged. It is essential that the unit be carefully handled and inspected before installing and connecting to electric power. The quartz sleeve and or the UV lamps are fragile and may have been broken or damaged during shipping.

IceCap UV Explosion

(1) Electronic UV Lamp Ballast

(2) Lamp Cord

(3) Chord Retainer

(4) Transition to Ballast Nut

(5) UV Lamp Socket

(6) High-Output UV Lamp

(7) Quartz Sleeve Housing Nut Insert

(8) Quartz Sleeve Housing Nut

(9) Gasket for Quartz Sleeve

(10) Vessel Cover

(11) O-ring for Vessel

(12) O-ring for Input/Output

(13) 2in PVC Slip Adapter

(14) Retaining Nut for Input/Output

(15) Quartz Sleeve

(16) Barb Fitting*

(17) Vessel Mounting Clamps

(18) UV Vessel

*Must be properly glued to PVC Adapter(13) if installed

Mounting the Sterilizer

The way UV is mounted and positioned will affect the performance and degree of safety of the UV Sterilizer. Follow these instructions and guidelines precisely and any deviation from these mounting instructions can result in unsafe conditions. Trapped air within the UV vessel during operation will create excessive heat, thus damaging the UV’s internal components and seals. 

IceCap UV Sterilizer Vertical MountVertical Mounting

When mounting the UV Sterilizer vertically position so that the electrical end facing up. Be sure to keep the UV vessel as flat as possible. Use the bottom port as the inlet with the top port as the outlet of the UV.

IceCap UV Sterilizer Horizontal MountHorizontal Mounting

When mounting the UV Sterilizer horizontally position the inlet/outlet facing upward. If mounted horizontally but not level, the electrical end of the UV unit should be positioned higher than the other end. Use the lower port for the UV inlet.

Power Supply Mounting

The Power Supply is not waterproof and should never be mounted over water. Do not submerge the power supply in water or bury where heat and moisture can be retained.  With the convenient mounting clips on the ends of the power supply and two screws (not included), mount the power supply out of the way but within range of the sterilizer itself.

IC_UV_PVCSlip_BarbedConnection

Plumbing your UV Sterilizer

Plumbing to and from the UV Sterilizer is completely up to you.  The most common practice is to have the UV spliced into your filtrations return line with that being a return pump or a canister filter. PVC plumbing can be achieved using standard 2in PVC found at any local hardware store. The size in and out can be reduced to the desired size to accommodate your system's plumbing. Use a bypass assembly for greater water flow control and ease of service. 


Optional Flexible Hose Adapters

  • Optional molded hose barbed fittings for easy installation with 1/2", 3/4" or 1" flexible hose and can be trimmed to fit for maximum flow capacity.  To trim just locate the gap between each of the barb levels with a hack saw or serrated knife. The slip end of the barbed fitting must be glued to the PVC Adapter and hose clamps are suggested to use over the tubing but not included. 


Pump Size & Flow Rate

ModelIceCap 27WIceCap 40WIceCap 90W
Max Flow Rate - Marine600gph1000gph3000gph
Max Flow Rate - Freshwater1500gph3000gph12000gph
Max Water Volume - Marine140gal400gal1000gal
Max Water Volume - Marine1300gal3000gal12000gal

Efficiency and Flow Rate

ModelIceCap 27WIceCap 40WIceCap 90W
Bacteria & Algae480gph940gph1890gph
Parasites160gph300gph630gph
Aquarium Size160gal300gal630gal

The sweet spot for reducing bacteria and algae using a UV system is to have the water flow through at a rate of 3 to 4.5 times the total tank volume every hour. So, if you're working with a 50-gallon tank, you want the water to move at a pace of 150 to 225 gallons per hour through the UV sterilizer.


Now, when you're dealing with Ich, Flukes, and other fish parasites, things get a bit more complicated. You will need to slow down the water flow through the UV sterilizer to eradicate them as they pass through. To obtain results decrease the flow by as much as 50-75% compared to what you would use to tackle bacteria and algae. Ideally, you're looking at a turnover rate of 0.5 to 1.5 times the total tank volume per hour. For a 50-gallon tank, that translates to having 25 to 75 gallons per hour passing through the UV sterilizer to effectively wipe out those parasites.

Innitial Assembly Instructions - Installing the Quatz Sleeve

Very Critical to Assemble Blue Seals and Test Correctly - DO NOT SKIP THESE IMPORTANT STEPS

QuartzSleeveBreakout


Step 1 - Ensure Proper Blue Seal Installation  

Ensure that the Blue Seal is perfectly level with the rim of the Quartz Sleeve. Then properly pack the seal by evenly pushing the Blue Seal down the quartz sleeve and into Part 10.  Once the Blue seal is firmly pushed in place,  lock part 8 upon part 10. It is critical for the blue seal to be pushed up into part 10. 

Step 2 - Simple Leak Test

Use water to test whether the seal is capable of holding water. If leaking check to ensure the blue seal is evenly pressed upon part 10. If no leak occurs upon testing proceed to step 3.

Step 3 - Seat the Quartz Sleeve into the Vessel

Insert the quartz sleeve into the dedicated groove in the center bottom of the UV Vessel. With the flat blue seal (part 11) in place firmly lock part 10 tightly to the UV Vessel Part 18.

Artboard_15_72x-100

Test for Leaks

Before installing the UV lamp and ballast we must perform a leak test. A leak test should be performed each and every time the UV unit’s vessel has been opened.  Performing a proper leak test is a precautionary measure that will determine whether or not the critical seal (part 9) between the quartz sleeve and UV vessel has been achieved. Failure to achieve a proper quartz sleeve/quartz sleeve seal during operation will allow water to leak into the inside of the quartz sleeve, potentially damaging the UV lamp and other electrical components, which could develop into dangerous situations. To test simply and run water through the UV unit without the Dry Components installed and check for any visible leaks.

Lamp and Power Harness Installation


Step 1 - Lets Begin 

Ensure that the Quartz Sleeve Housing is firmly tightened clockwise forming the master seal. Check to ensure the insert for the housing nut is inserted prior to installing the lamp.

Step 2 - Insert UV Lamp

Carefully insert UV Lamp into the quartz sleeve previously installed within the UV vessel. Leave enough of the UV lamp out to grip while connecting to the ballast chord.

Step 3 - Connect UV Lamp to Socket

While carefully griping the UV lamp, insert the prongs of the lamp into the socket from the ballast cord. If the pins don't line up spin the lamp till they do. Push the connected socket with the UV lamp into the quartz sleeve till the lamp touches the bottom.


Step 4 - Loosen Ballast Cord Retainer 

loosen the nut counterclockwise on the cord retainer so that it is capable of gliding up and down the ballast cord.


Step 5 - Thread the Transition to Ballast Nut Thread the Transition to Ballast Nut clockwise onto the UV vessel. Hand tighten only, never use tools. This connection is not intended to be a water-tight seal.



Step 6 - Tighten Ballast Cord Retainer

Thread cord retainer clockwise till a tight grip has been made around the cord. Do not over tighten. 

UV_On

Power On

When no leaks are observed you can connect the UV light ballast to the GFCI protected power source. When the UV light is operating you should notice a glow penetrating through the electrical end of the UV fixture. The UV lamp ballast will also display a green status indicator when in operation. 

Maintenance

Over time the efficiency of the sterilizer will start to diminish because the lamp is no longer putting out the same amount of energy, but also the quartz sleeve that houses the lamp can become coated with mineral deposits and start to become cloudy. By replacing the quartz sleeve about once per year, and also the UV lamp, your UV sterilizer will work just like it did on day one. Most reefers will know it is time to replace the bulb and sleeve when algae begins to grow on the glass, rock, and other surfaces more rapidly.

Troubleshooting

Red light and Audible alarm from UV lamp ballast upon plugging in

Issue - The ballast will alarm to indicate an ignition failure usually from a bad UV lamp.

Solution - Check all electrical connections to the lamp to ensure all connections are fully seated and there is no visible damage. If the alarm continues after inspection it is suggested to replace the lamp.