ultra violet

[royalmaple]

Anyone have any ideas for using ultra violet light for sap treatment?

Also is this something that can be purchased outside maple industry and made to work? Any ideas on cost and where to get the stuff?

I was reading something that claims to allow longer storage of sap and also making lighter syrup by using the light... Any truth from those who use this set up?

[brookledge]

Yes there are many different sources other than maple industry. Most common will be UV lights for your home. Also they are used in aquariums although usually are smaller than ones for your house.
The one I bought is rated for 12 GPM. As to whether it helps I think so although I have no proof. There has been testing done and usually will state that it will increase your grade by one.
Here is a link to the one I bought, I know that Brandon Bought one and can tell you what kind his is.
http://www.caitechnologies.com/shopping/items.asp?ACTION=DISPLAY&Category=4
Keith

[royalmaple]

Keith-

Is there a way to rig something up that I can buy locally?

I guess with very little time left this season, I wouldn't mind riggin up something crude for this year but not sure if it would be worth it or help any.

[brookledge]

You can buy a UV lamp and make something your self. I have seen where a line of UV lampswhere suspended over a section of gutter and the sap ran through the gutter keeping the depth real low.
Here is the thing. UV systems are designed to have very little space between the lamp and the liquid. Most if not all use a quartz tube with the bulb inside that with the liquid flowing on the outside. If the depth of the liquid is to much then the bacteria will not be totaly killed and will not be effective.
Also if you buy a bulb youself and want to build something yourself it has to be germicidal UV or you are wasting your time. I have one that I hang over my supply tank and it works good on keeping the tank clean. It doesn't get all slimmy like my other tanks do and it not easy for me to clean so that is why I put it up there.
Keith

[NH Maplemaker]

Matt, you can get larger unite that are made to work in small back yard ponds!! My wife picked me up one last year were she works (pet store) that is 25 watts !! It works great. The only problem is it has a plastic case around the lights, so I blow the sap line out at night with air compressor in case of freezing. I hav'nt had any problem doing it that way. Were you are not on vaccum, you could drain it good after each use!! Look at www.DrsFosterSmith.com look under fish. If you have problems finding them let me know.

Jim L.

[NH Maplemaker]

Matt, make that ponds. Not fish!! sorry.

Jim L.

[220 maple]

The neatest homemade uv unit I have seen was in operation at Milroy Farms, Salisbury, Pa. They used 6 inch PVC pipe 2 maybe 3 foot long , ends capped, input and output fittings, UV bulb and Glass tube thats mounted in the center of the pipe. I believe everything cost them around $100 dollars, The UV bulb give off a green glow. You can see the sugar water passing thru the unit. They also have them hanging in the tanks that supply the evaporator, they know the light only kills the bacteria about a inch deep but feel it worth it.

[royalmaple]

Jim-

Thanks found them fine. Looks like the mini would work, processes 330 gph, should do the trick.