Description
The Aqua Ultraviolet Classic Series is the most-installed pond UV sterilizer in North America — a rugged, high-output PVC-bodied unit built in Temecula, California that has clarified koi ponds and water gardens since 1992. Every Classic ships ready for inline plumbing on 3/4" or 2" port sizes in Black or White housing, with wattages from 8 W (small ornamental ponds up to ~750 gallons) all the way up to 240 W (large koi systems and commercial pondscapes). Aqua UV's published flow-rate tables let you size the unit to deliver either clarification (algae/green-water control) or sterilization (parasite + bacteria kill) with confidence — match your pond's GPH circulation to the right wattage class and the unit will clear cloudy water within 3–5 days, often overnight.
Key Features
- Available 8 W → 240 W to fit ponds from ~750 gallons up to 25,000+ gallon koi systems and commercial installations
- 3/4" barbed and 2" union port options for plug-and-play retrofit on most pond plumbing
- Black or White housing — pick the color that disappears against your equipment skirt
- Optional integrated wiper assembly keeps the quartz sleeve clean without disassembly (8 W / 15 W / 25 W / 57 W / 114 W Classic PVC wipers are the only sizes still in current production per Aqua UV's 2026 line policy)
- Aqua UV-C lamp delivers measured dose at flow rates published by the manufacturer — no guessing
- Replaceable lamp + quartz sleeve serviceable in under 5 minutes
- Made in the USA — Aqua Ultraviolet has manufactured UV sterilizers in Temecula, California since 1992
- Backed by Aqua Ultraviolet's full manufacturer warranty
Specifications
| Series | Classic |
|---|---|
| Body Material | Heavy-wall PVC (Black or White) |
| Lamp Type | T5 high-output UV-C — wattage matches unit |
| Available Wattages | 8 / 15 / 25 / 40 / 57 / 80 / 114 / 120 / 160 / 200 / 240 W |
| Available Port Sizes | 3/4" Barb · 2" Slip Union |
| Lamp Life | ~14,000 hours (replace annually for peak UV-C output) |
| Wiper Assembly | Optional on 8 / 15 / 25 / 57 / 114 W Classic PVC units (other wattages discontinued for wiper) |
| Pond Sizing | Use Aqua UV's flow-rate tables (linked below) — sizing depends on clarification vs sterilization goal |
| Mounting | Inline plumbing — no separate wet end required |
| Country of Origin | USA |
Flow Rate (GPH) by Wattage
| Wattage | Max GPH (Clarification, ~30,000 µW/cm²) — green-water control | Min GPH (Sterilization, ~90,000 µW/cm²) — parasite + bacteria kill |
|---|---|---|
| 8 W | 642 GPH | 214 GPH |
| 15 W | 700 GPH | 233 GPH |
| 25 W | 1,200 GPH | 400 GPH |
| 40 W | 2,900 GPH | 967 GPH |
| 57 W | 3,200 GPH | 1,066 GPH |
| 80 W | 3,678 GPH | 1,226 GPH |
| 114 W | 3,900 GPH | 1,300 GPH |
| 120 W | 4,080 GPH | 1,360 GPH |
| 160 W | 5,400 GPH | 1,800 GPH |
| 200 W | 6,600 GPH | 2,200 GPH |
| 240 W | 7,200 GPH | 2,400 GPH |
Sizing rule: divide your filtered circulation rate (GPH) by the column you need. Pick a unit whose Max GPH ≥ your circulation rate to achieve clarification dose; pick a unit whose Min GPH ≥ your circulation rate to achieve full sterilization dose at that flow.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size Aqua Ultraviolet Classic do I need for my pond?
Match the pond's filtered circulation rate (GPH) to the wattage that delivers 30,000 µW/cm² for clarification (green-water control) or 90,000 µW/cm² for sterilization (parasites/bacteria). Aqua UV publishes per-wattage flow tables in the manual linked below. As a rough guide: 15 W for ponds up to 1,800 GPH clarification flow, 40 W for up to 4,800 GPH, 80 W for up to 9,500 GPH.
How often should I replace the UV bulb?
Annually. UV-C output degrades long before the lamp visibly stops glowing. Pair lamp replacement with a quartz sleeve cleaning.
3/4" barb or 2" union — which port size is right?
3/4" barbed ports fit smaller pond plumbing (typical for 8 W / 15 W / 25 W units). 2" slip-union ports are standard on 40 W and above and drop into 1.5" or 2" PVC plumbing without a reducer. Pick the size that matches your existing pump/filter return line.
What's the difference between Black and White housing?
Functionally identical — color is cosmetic. Choose Black to disappear against shaded equipment areas, White for visibility in pump houses or to match light-colored pond skirts.
Documentation
- UV Classic and Twist Series Instructions (PDF)
- Classic Clear Water Brochure (PDF)
- Classic Healthy Water Brochure (PDF)
- How Ultraviolet Works (Brochure) (PDF)
- UV Sizing Chart - Freshwater
Product Video
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