UV Suppliment Lighting

ChiefRunningPhist said:
This is how I'm thinking about UVB..

I think 285nm will absorb at least ~3× better than 295nm+. So if using 285nm, you'd take the mW/ft and multiply by 1.29 to get an equivalent UVI at system level. Its just a ball park to get an idea, the tent walls and the light fixture will absorb some of the emissions, ect..

Example:
2'×4' tent with (6) 12mW output 285nm chips.

2' × 4' = 8ft2
6 × 12mW = 72mW

72mW / 8ft2 = 9mW/ft2

9mW/ft2 × 1.29
=
11.61 UVI for the tent.

I think a 5.0 UVI or less would be good for 12hrs duration. An 11.61 for 12hrs will most likely fry them.



Where does 1.29 come from??

285nm is 3× more absorbed than 295nm+. 295nm is the WV with the greatest erythmal weight. A UVI is calculated by dividing total EUV or erythmal UV doseage by 25mW/m2 to arrive at a final UV Index number. There are 10.76ft2 in 1m2.

(3× more absorbed) / [(25mW/m2) ÷ (10.76ft2/m2)]
=
1.291
Click to expand...
This UV led from cutter...
https://www.cutter.com.au/product/cu-20str-uvc-280/
Is 260-280 nm....This is almost germicidal!...maybe too dangerous to mess with it...this is UVC ..not UVB...maybe 1 per square foot 20 minutes a day lol
 
nachooo said:
This UV led from cutter...
https://www.cutter.com.au/product/cu-20str-uvc-280/
Is 260-280 nm....This is almost germicidal!...maybe too dangerous to mess with it...this is UVC ..not UVB...maybe 1 per square foot 20 minutes a day lol
Click to expand...
Wow! I didn't realize that, If that's the case I don't know if I'd use it. 280nm is probably the lowest I'd reccomend going (but idk), here's a UVR8 absorption spectra...
Comparison-of-the-UvR8-absorption-spectrum-10-solid-line-with-action-spectra-for.png
 
ChiefRunningPhist said:
Wow! I didn't realize that, If that's the case I don't know if I'd use it. 280nm is probably the lowest I'd reccomend going (but idk), here's a UVR8 absorption spectra...
View attachment 4387072
Click to expand...
So...260-280 is less suitable for our intentions than 285 (in fact plants need more exposition time that 285) and also is worst for our health...and probably the plants health too...thanks for the graphic.
 
I talked to some commercial growers of vegetables, herbs and plants about UV.
Although they say some tests look promising, they say that for them it is still to early to add artificial UV light in their greenhouses.
I am following it all with a huge interest, but for me personally it is still to early.
 
Budzbuddha said:
Much easier and cheaper to run a simple T5 rig with either 2 or 4foot Agromax Pure Uv / Reptilsun 10 bulbs.
Click to expand...

Duh! I'm not spending >50k for grow lights that would only cover a bonsai.:lol: But the output is crazy. They're used for testing UV exposure on materials, ageing and other shit. It goes up to 2,5x 100 CRI so one can speed up processes.


captainmorgan said:
I have a pure UV bulb in my duct work that circulates the air through my grow areas that runs 24/7, should kill any mold spores.
Click to expand...
Keesje said:
I talked to some commercial growers of vegetables, herbs and plants about UV.
Although they say some tests look promising, they say that for them it is still to early to add artificial UV light in their greenhouses.
I am following it all with a huge interest, but for me personally it is still to early.
Click to expand...


While it most definitely brings out terpines and in some ranges harm pests, they also attract them. I was looking into UV-transmitting acrylite for my greenhouse for the terpines, but there are also quite a few articles about why greenhouses try to block UV ranges.

https://academic.oup.com/ee/article/35/4/1069/520306

Clearly any smart commercial grow will want to maximize on all the plant secrections, therefore would want to use UVA/B lights and any air that comes in has to go through a bug zapper.
Some of the bug zapper lights are actually pretty interesting regarding the spectrums.
 
I have a buddy who runs UV bulbs over his plants in a garage. He often comes out to check things and sees a bunch of wasps crawling all over the UV lamps lol
 
Hey guys! I got a question for y'all:
I'm planning to build a fixture for my 3.3x3.3 tent (100cm x 100cm) and I was looking into integrating UVB via Arcadia reptile bulbs. I was checking out the 12% one and I heard around that the 2ft T5 bulb would cover a 2x2 area. I've seen also that they make a 3ft version (39W) of the bulb and that length would be ideal for my space. The thing is: how many 3ft bulbs do I have to get to have an even coverage for my 3.3x3.3 tent? If I have to place 2x 39W 3ft bulbs inside,do I risk to have a center hotspot that may hurt my plants?
 
KasparGrower said:
Hey guys! I got a question for y'all:
I'm planning to build a fixture for my 3.3x3.3 tent (100cm x 100cm) and I was looking into integrating UVB via Arcadia reptile bulbs. I was checking out the 12% one and I heard around that the 2ft T5 bulb would cover a 2x2 area. I've seen also that they make a 3ft version (39W) of the bulb and that length would be ideal for my space. The thing is: how many 3ft bulbs do I have to get to have an even coverage for my 3.3x3.3 tent? If I have to place 2x 39W 3ft bulbs inside,do I risk to have a center hotspot that may hurt my plants?
Click to expand...
The HOT5 3ft Arcadias are more powerful than the 4ft ones. You can talk to the arcadia guy on facebook, he is pretty helpful. Two lamps is what you want to go with and some good reflectors. They're usually sold in a bundle with the fixture and reflector by reptile shops.
 
carlo987 said:
The HOT5 3ft Arcadias are more powerful than the 4ft ones. You can talk to the arcadia guy on facebook, he is pretty helpful. Two lamps is what you want to go with and some good reflectors. They're usually sold in a bundle with the fixture and reflector by reptile shops.
Click to expand...
Got you! Thanks! The reflectors are made by Arcadia or I have to get them aftermarket?
 
I used to have skinks and Lizards as Pets

I have this https://theparrotplace.co.nz/products-page/for-your-reptile-2/heating-2/reptile-one-fan-heater/

any use in a 4x4 with a HLG 550? its 50 watts, its a UVA/UVB basking light , very focused, will burn your hand at 15cm.

I think not good but thought id ask the experts, also thoughts on the HLG 60 SUPPLEMENT bar in the middle of a HLG 550 V1 if i purchased it, and how best to use it, do i run with the HLG 550 or do I need a separate light cycle timer?

I think I know the answer, dumb idea even if 15 mins on 45 mins off. yes im clueless before you ask.
 
Last edited:
Sorry, never used the HLGs! The basking light is only an option, if you like smoky flavour and your intention is to bbq your plants. Then I would just recommend a weber or a good smoker. The right tool for the right job and such... Basking lights are inefficient in regards.
Just go with the Arcadia. Start reading from page 1 of this thread and you will see, that as of now the best solution with the least amount of risk are the Arcadias HOT5 12%. I have contacted every single one of the big 12 (Osram, Philips, Trilux, Cooper, Infineon...). The light with the perfect spectrum and power is not abailable and therefore Arcadia remains the best option.
 
carlo987 said:
Sorry, never used the HLGs! The basking light is only an option, if you like smoky flavour and your intention is to bbq your plants. Then I would just recommend a weber or a good smoker. The right tool for the right job and such... Basking lights are inefficient in regards.
Just go with the Arcadia. Start reading from page 1 of this thread and you will see, that as of now the best solution with the least amount of risk are the Arcadias HOT5 12%. I have contacted every single one of the big 12 (Osram, Philips, Trilux, Cooper, Infineon...). The light with the perfect spectrum and power is not abailable and therefore Arcadia remains the best option.
Click to expand...

I have a Weber and a smoker, (not the basking light lol) the plants may find their way to the BBQ after they have flowered in the form of green butter.

great advice :)
 
Yes, Solacure is also a very good product even closer to what is truly needed. Sadly, they only can handle US and Canadian shipments. Arcadia you can get almost anywhere. I would know, because I'm pretty close to the South Pole... :D
 
carlo987 said:
Yes, Solacure is also a very good product even closer to what is truly needed. Sadly, they only can handle US and Canadian shipments. Arcadia you can get almost anywhere. I would know, because I'm pretty close to the South Pole... :D
Click to expand...
Think that solacure now is in UK also...and at least until brexit arrives... they ship to Europe from there
 
am also on the fence going with some uv light.
So far Arcadia D3 t5 desert are a option.
Thinking of getting one or two 39 watt fixtures to cover 3.33x3.33, 24W are just a very few bcks less, pretty much like KasparGrower want to do.
Hanging height and mounting is tricky.

Would still prefer leds instead of t5 tubes tbh but have no overview how the recent leds compare to the tubes.

Also would it be worth a try to add someof these ali china uv leds for some first tests? Anyone ever tried?
The uv strips from cutter looking good too, but fearing the 260nm a bit.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top