There is plenty of industry in Ireland who clean their own water to a standard well beyond what the water treatment plants do for us. A change has begun, UV lights are being removed and replaced by T3 Quartz halogen lights used with a titanium tube.

UV lights deactivate DNA, the bulbs need to be changed though and a major problem with UV lights is that a biofilm of the bacteria can build up on the inside of pipes. As soon as the bulb wastes you can get major growth of this unwanted bacteria.

The new technology also kills the biofilm and on top of this will destroy bacteria, algae and fungae. No way UV can touch a fungus. Also i'm not sure UV can deactivate all DNA or just the side facing the light.

This new technology is known as advanced oxidation technology and will eventually filter down to water treatment plants. Although a few are investing in new UV set-ups as we speak

The technology comes direct from ships with advanced balast tanks to stop them spreading organisms from one place to the next.

Does anyone have any more information on this or advice on the set-up if i would like to DIY a prototype? All feedback and discussion appreciated. I have not got a Marine tank yet but will be setting one up in the summer, does a set-up that kills biofilm even sound suitable for an aquarium or will it not matter due to the sump?