Need Opinions on Supplememtal Lighting

DrGreenT420

DrGreenT420

Active Member
Hey guys, so Im looking into getting some supplemental lighting to add to my set up and had some questions. Im looking at both the Exotic Supplement board and Emerson board from RapidLED. Considering doing a DIY supplement light though as Im not sure the benefits of the IR spectrum that comes with the UVA on the exotic board and to save some money by only getting what I need. Would there be a benefit to getting the UVA or UVB LEDs over just a UV reptile bulb or the AgroMax power veg+ bulb ? As for the Emerson board Im not really sure I need it. Im running 9, 3000k 90 CRI COBs so does that mean I already have enough Photo Red (660nm) to just buy some Far Red (730nm) diodes to achieve the Emerson affect, as well as to leave the Far Red on to put my plants to sleep faster ? If so, how many UV(A or B) and Far Red diodes would you guys reccomend I add in a 3x3 space ?
 
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Merlin1147

Merlin1147

Well-Known Member
I recently added the Mass Medical Supplimental from Rapid. Their kit is for 4x4 so I did the math for my sqft. I put the blues and UVA one one driver with dimmer, the reds on a separate driver with dimmer and the far reds on another driver with separate timer for end of day use. The base lighting is Samsung LM561 strips at ~50 watts per sf. It wasn’t cheap that is for sure, but then my hobbies rarely are. This is my first run with the new setup. This is GSC third week of flower.
 

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TEKNIK

TEKNIK

Well-Known Member
DrGreenT420 said:
Hey guys, so Im looking into getting some supplemental lighting to add to my set up and had some questions. Im looking at both the Exotic Supplement board and Emerson board from RapidLED. Considering doing a DIY supplement light though as Im not sure the benefits of the IR spectrum that comes with the UVA on the exotic board and to save some money by only getting what I need. Would there be a benefit to getting the UVA or UVB LEDs over just a UV reptile bulb or the AgroMax power veg+ bulb ? As for the Emerson board Im not really sure I need it. Im running 9, 3000k 90 CRI COBs so does that mean I already have enough Photo Red (660nm) to just buy some Far Red (730nm) diodes to achieve the Emerson affect, as well as to leave the Far Red on to put my plants to sleep faster ? If so, how many UV(A or B) and Far Red diodes would you guys reccomend I add in a 3x3 space ?
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You really don't need all that much uva or 730nm, the issue you will have is getting an even spread, from memory those rapid boards are quite long, 2 boards should be enough to get the spread you need to cover the canopy. 730nm is enough for IR I've seen rapid selling 840nm but I have not seen any research to say it is beneficial at all as they are not very powerful. As far us uvb goes the reptile bulbs seem to be what to use at the moment, randomblame has done a bit of research on it if you check through his posts.
 
DrGreenT420

DrGreenT420

Active Member
TEKNIK said:
You really don't need all that much uva or 730nm, the issue you will have is getting an even spread, from memory those rapid boards are quite long, 2 boards should be enough to get the spread you need to cover the canopy. 730nm is enough for IR I've seen rapid selling 840nm but I have not seen any research to say it is beneficial at all as they are not very powerful. As far us uvb goes the reptile bulbs seem to be what to use at the moment, randomblame has done a bit of research on it if you check through his posts.
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Thats kinda why I was leaning toward adding some in DIY, I thought the 840 sounded a little unnecessary and Id be able to do it cheaper and more how I want it. Do you think if I did 9 UV diodes, and 9 730nm Far Reds, so 1 over every sq ft would be enough ?
 
DrGreenT420

DrGreenT420

Active Member
Yah Ive read through a lot of his threads and posts, have recieved ungodly amounts of info from him and others. Definately leaning towards 2 ft Reptisuns as Im having trouble finding the AgroMax PowerVeg+ bulbs rn. So probably no UV diodes, the Reptisun or AgroMax PowerVeg(if I can find) instead, and 1 730nm diode evert sq ft ?
 
TEKNIK

TEKNIK

Well-Known Member
I would leave it on the entire time the other lights are on if you have a good heatsink on them. Cri 90 does lack a bit in 730nm. It may increase stretching though so try it out to see how it works for you.
 
DrGreenT420

DrGreenT420

Active Member
Sounds good. I should have some room so Im not TOO worried about stretch from it unless it gets a lil crazy. If theres too much stretch just shorten the time the far red is on ?
 
TEKNIK

TEKNIK

Well-Known Member
Yes or turn it off, it won't be a dramatic increase, not normally anyway, some plants act differently under different colours.
 
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