Airwalker16
Well-Known Member
Bit you'd still be able to cover the whole top half. Just use 2 single bulb ballasts and slant them corner to corner on opposite sides.
UV Suppliment Lighting
- Thread starter DrGreenT420
- Start date
DrGreenT420
Active Member
Definitely not a bad idea, but something about that just feels not right to me. If possible I think Id prefer the 2 2ft bulbs. I did more looking around though, especially at the Arcadia D3 HOT5s (and T8s). Check out these spectrum charts on these Arcadias.
14% UVB Arcadia:
12% UVB Arcadia:
6% UVB Arcadia:
The AgroMax Pure Par Veg+ (For Comparison):
Reptisun 10.0 (For Comparison):
So what I found interesting, was that it honestly looks like the Arcadia 12% UVB bulb would perform better than both the 14% UVB bulb AND AgroMax Pure Par Veg+ in both wavelenth and intensity of that wavelenght. Even more interestingly, look at the 6% Arcadia, so while it sacrifices overall UVB, look at the part its considering UVC, its actually reaching the same intensity at the 285-300nm wavelength that the Pure Par Veg+ bulb has at 300-400nm. And the Arcadias come in 2ft, 3ft, and 4ft lengths.
Randomblame
Well-Known Member
Sorry, guys! My bad! I always change the two bulbs.
I mean the Hortilux powerveg+. Agromax don't have them...
Thats the powerveg+ spectrum
And thats Arcadia 12%
Look a bit different but thats because the powerveg+ use % and the Arcadia μW/cm² on the left scale but the UVB contents is almost the same like the 14% Arcadia bulbs. There are only a few manufacturers in germany and thailand producing most of all bulbs available but they are sold under different brands and with different specs. But the thruth is, most of the time there are only marginal differences in the inner coatings.
More interesting is the fact that they both have only very little output below 300nm. The PureUV spectrum goes at least down to 275nm and in the 1st minute of the video on the other page you see a wider spectrum chart call natural sun spectrum going down to ~250nm bud thats without the filtering air. One earth level there is only around 1% UVB(280-320nm) but no light below that range.
Also the ratio is important cause plants are used to 3-5 times more UVA than B depending on the location. The pureUV have the opposite ratio and have 3 times more B like A.
Here is another youtube video explaining UV...And sorry again I messed up Agromax and Hortilux. The powerveg+ is indeed a Hortilux bulb.
I mean the Hortilux powerveg+. Agromax don't have them...
Thats the powerveg+ spectrum
And thats Arcadia 12%
Look a bit different but thats because the powerveg+ use % and the Arcadia μW/cm² on the left scale but the UVB contents is almost the same like the 14% Arcadia bulbs. There are only a few manufacturers in germany and thailand producing most of all bulbs available but they are sold under different brands and with different specs. But the thruth is, most of the time there are only marginal differences in the inner coatings.
More interesting is the fact that they both have only very little output below 300nm. The PureUV spectrum goes at least down to 275nm and in the 1st minute of the video on the other page you see a wider spectrum chart call natural sun spectrum going down to ~250nm bud thats without the filtering air. One earth level there is only around 1% UVB(280-320nm) but no light below that range.
Also the ratio is important cause plants are used to 3-5 times more UVA than B depending on the location. The pureUV have the opposite ratio and have 3 times more B like A.
Here is another youtube video explaining UV...And sorry again I messed up Agromax and Hortilux. The powerveg+ is indeed a Hortilux bulb.
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Randomblame
Well-Known Member
You can not just compare these SPD's and say these bulb have more like this. The results are totalized to the total output.
The 14% bulbs have indeed 20% more UVB like the D3desert 12% bulbs and they reach ~10cm deeper.
Lets say you get 180μW/cm² at 12" with a 12% bulb you would see the same 180μW's at 16" with the 14% bulbs.
https://www.arcadiareptile.com/d3-dragon-lamp/
The thing is, Reptile bulbs try to mimic the sun light and have ratios between ~6:1 and ~2,5:1. This ratio change depending on the location on the planet and plants recognize these changes thru the UVR8 receptor and activate defense mechanisms protecting themself and the next seed generation.
The opposite ratio cause cell damage and thats together with the UVC output is why the PureUV bulbs are so damaging.
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DrGreenT420
Active Member
Doooood, thank you ! I thought I was loosing my mind trying to find a "AgroMax PowerVeg+" bulb, lol. That was a really quality video. So the Hortilux PowerVeg+ bulbs are in fact the best source of supplimental UV for growing as of right now ? So 2 of those 2 footers wouldn't be too much in a 3x3 ? And this might be a stupid question but Id run those along with my COBs, not instead of ? Would those run the whole time lights are on ? And the whole flower cycle or just the last few weeks ? Thanks again for the time everyones spent helping answer my noobie questions.
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Randomblame
Well-Known Member
You could use two 2" bulbs or two 3ft. bulbs if you want. Those Arcadia bulbs are available in 2, 3 and 4ft length and the 3footers have 39w. Most 24w ballasts can drive 24 and 39w bulbs btw..
I have a 2 bulb ballast you can use for two 24 or 39w bulbs and the ballast costs almost the same like a 1 bulb or 4 bulb ballast, they have just more outputs.
If you start later in flower the plants are not used to UV light. This means you need to start with 1-2h per day for around a week before you can run them all the time. It:s the same like when you put an indoor plant outside under natural sunlight. The plants need a few days in the shade to acclimate properly to the new conditions before you can put her directly in the sun.
DrGreenT420
Active Member
Awesome ! If you think the Arcadias would be better than the Hortilux Ill go with the 3ft 12%'s then, just so I have the ability to run them closer along with my COBs. And a 3 ft T5 good should sit perfectly on my 34in canopy substrate.
Moflow
Well-Known Member
Airwalker16
Well-Known Member
Those are interesting. I've got a t8/t12 fixture already so these light be the way to go.
Moflow
Well-Known Member
I've a mate just got 2 of them between 2 x hlg550s but hasn't used them on a full run yet.
No good for me tho as I don't have the headroom.
The arcadias would suit me better
Airwalker16
Well-Known Member
After reading that whole page, it says you can have them as close as 6" in really short length times. You could probably use them.
Moflow
Well-Known Member
I'd rather have the other ones and run them 8 HRS at 12"s plus the arcadias are cheaper, I think
Airwalker16
Well-Known Member
If you buy 4 pack of the solarcure, they're $24.99/pc
Airwalker16
Well-Known Member
All of the abdomen bulbs give you a massive break in price too when you buy a 4 pack. Which you should do. These lights only last like 1500hrs until they're less than 50% UV output.
Moflow
Well-Known Member
Unfortunately I've to pay taxes and cuntstoms
Airwalker16
Well-Known Member
They do it as a bulk from the company.
GreeneryBob
Well-Known Member
has anyone here tried using just the UVA diodes?
Airwalker16
Well-Known Member
They're not quite there yet as far as price and efficacy goes.
Couple more years and we might be close.
Airwalker16
Well-Known Member
eyderbuddy
Well-Known Member
Does anyone know how much UV is too much UV? How do i even calculate that?