Fonzarelli
Active Member
From the photos I've seen, your plants are liking your spectrum just fine. Adding more red is just going to speed up growth, so if you are happy with growth speed then leave it alone. Since you are using the T5's for veg it really doesn't matter, because it's only for a short time.Its 6 bulb, just hard to see the 420nm from the reflection off the hood. And too blue dom for veg? veg plants seem to be loving it, but I can put some red back into it. I think I listed the bulbs I am using earlier in the thread but if I didnt let me know and I will retype that out.
As long as your plants are not growing strangely, like twisted "ingrown" type of leaf growth then keep at it.
Heavy blue spectrum will encourage extreme root growth as you've already noticed. This is nice for what you are doing, getting a nice root base established before 12/12.
When you flip to the 1000w HPS, ya gotta do it slowly or at least keep the 1000w high up off your canopy at first so the plants can adjust to the intense light. Then move it closer as they start to take off. The intensity is much greater from a 1000w than a 6-lamp T5 fixture.
As far as adding side-lighting UVb, I see this working out well. Poly is your man as far as UVb goes. He has a lot more experience with it than I do. Once again, start with the lamps far away and then move them closer until you see your plants start to get a little "unhappy" then move them away to that sweet spot.
One thing that may work out(opinions anyone?) is add the UVb lamps before adding the 1000w HPS because the extra UVb will build that protective layer in the leaves and protect the plants from the 1000w when it's time to switch. It's known that UVb triggers plants to produce a protective waxy "layer" within the leaves to protect itself from damaging rays, so it just may work to help reduce stress.
I like Poly's idea of adding the UVb at the beginning so that the plants are used to it.
Also, FYI, according to numerous sources, ANY STRONG BLUE LIGHT SOURCE WILL INCREASE TRICHOME PRODUCTION. You don't need UVb to do this. Although, I think you might be able to get by with LESS UVb overall to do the same job as regular blue light.
Always start slow and work your way up over a few days to avoid stress. Your plants will love you long time for it.