UV?

I have been reading a lot on this site about the importance of uvb light for resin production. I was curious if anyone has any info on the UV germicidal tube lamps. Are these lights safe for plants and is there going to be enough useful uv light produced to make it worth the purchase. Here is a link to some bulbs I found Ultraviolet Lights, Germicidal Lamps, UV Lamps and Ballasts

I've heard that the germicidal lamps produce primarily light in the UVC spectrum while I believe UVA/UVB is what we want for increasing resin production. I'm not sure whether they're safe for the plants(probably depends on the intensity of said light), but if you do use one, turn it off when you enter the room(as UV light can cause cancer/cataracts/etc.)
I'm just starting to implement UVB, a bit late I think(I'm just divin' into flowering). I've been using a couple black lights sitting around(I know...) though I don't believe they give off any appreciable amount of UVB, I just assume the small amount of UVA will help the plants build up some tolerance. I'm ordering a UVB flood later today; I'm probably just going to get the 100w or 160w T-Rex Active UV but I'd really like to get a Mega Ray if I could find one at a retail store.
Many people are also using the reptile flouro tubes, but apparently they put off a very limited amount of UVB, somewhere around 30-60mW/cm^2 at 1'. The "floods"(MV bulbs I believe) put out much more intense UVB, something like 100-200mW/cm^2 at 1'. The MV bulbs wane in intensity less as they burn in, too(some anyhow...) The instensity of the UV rises exponentially as you approach the bulb, so even with a MV bulb you may only be able to deliver a good 30mW/cm^2 from a distance of 3 or 4ft.

How hot do those t-rex bulbs get, do you think? Aren't you going to have a hell of a time getting those anywhere near your plants without burning them and increasing the temps of your room as a whole? Heat not withstanding those bulbs look like a great idea.

the reptile bulbs I was looking at were good till about 20 inches from the bulb and NO do NOT use UVC bulbs, those are the germicidal ones, those will kill your plants.

I kinda figrued that but I just wanted some confirmation, haven't heard any mention of them.

I don't intend to get the lamp too close or for too long either. I ordered the TRex 160w earlier, should be here in a few days, came out to about $55 shipped. My plans so far are to use it from about 1 1/2 ft away and just point it on an area and move it every 10 or so minutes. Obviously I'll be acclimating them to it slowly, probably starting 3-4ft away and for just a few minutes at a time. I'll probably build up to about an hour or so 2x daily in full bloom if all goes well up to that point and then quit enriching UV in the last days to not degrade THC. Anyone with experience with UV feel free to chime in, I've no real clue what I'm doing... In other news, just got the CO2 tank filled so the plants should be

EDIT: Oh yeah, as for coolin' this thing, I'm lost... I might look into mounting a muffin fan on it somehow to pull the hot air right off it and shoot it towards the exhaust. Also, I believe this thing actually transmits heat in the form of incandescent light, right? I'm no scientist.

EDIT2: Hey guys, found a very interesting thread on UV in the growroom. Skip to post #144

funny u made this thread because i saw a video on pot tv .com and tha guy was saying that weed grown in more tropical climates are more stronger, because of the uv light from the sun, like back in the day when most weed came from mexico or asain countries he said the uv rays from the sun made thc better way stronger than any hps could do,iv been wanting to see if its true, he also said that the weed we grow indoors will never get to its full thc level with out uv rays, go check it out its a good read!

I believe you're talking about the Marijuana Man video, if so, I've seen it and its a great video for the most part. He's a bit confused and seems to think he can preach whatever he wants as fact. Other than that though, great video and I'm sure its helped many a stoner.

These seem to be the best option, at least from the features. I'm trying one on my current grow, or rather I will be when I flower.

The Product
Mega-Ray Zoo Externally Ballasted EB 60 watt Lamp Kit - 120 volt - ReptileUV

The Info
ReptileUV Mega-Ray Mercury Vapour Lamps for Reptiles - Test Report UV Guide 2006

NL: Definately man, I'd have gone with that one but they said you needed a UV meter or had to work at a zoo or something... I dunno, smoked one too many, but I figure any of the bigger MV reptile bulbs put out plenty for experimental purposes anyhow. Keep us posted on how it goes, should churn out the frost for ya!

Isnt there just a cheapo light bulb you can get for like two plants total?

why reinvent lighting ? just get a hps and use whats been working for growing

Hps is reinventing lighting surcul. We're all trying to reinvent the sun, it aint a simple thing. No reason to stick yourself in the rut of the past, gotta keep moving along towards better products. The point of this forum is to grow as gardeners, if people don't experiment and try to move forward we might as well all get off the site and stick our plants in Miracle row under an incandescent, or maybe candle light.

Stoney: These ARE for like 2-10 plants tops... they don't make all that much UVB really. And, theyre only like 50$ shipped.

I know I know...I just dont want to spend any more money on this one...gawd....and I have to use cfls...cuz I really dont need skin cancer and a house fire.

JTSBossMan said:

Stoney: These ARE for like 2-10 plants tops... they don't make all that much UVB really. And, theyre only like 50$ shipped.

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regrets said:

Hps is reinventing lighting surcul. We're all trying to reinvent the sun, it aint a simple thing. No reason to stick yourself in the rut of the past, gotta keep moving along towards better products. The point of this forum is to grow as gardeners, if people don't experiment and try to move forward we might as well all get off the site and stick our plants in Miracle row under an incandescent, or maybe candle light.

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i couldnt agree more, shit i cant waite for those hps lights that run through tha water they have one at my local grow shop,its a 1000 watt that doesnt put out any heat

So... who else is trying this, anyone? I'm thinking my lamp should be here by Monday.

I just started my scrog you can see in my sig, I'm going to put up some UV bulbs in flowering

Stoney McFried said:

I know I know...I just dont want to spend any more money on this one...gawd....and I have to use cfls...cuz I really dont need skin cancer and a house fire.

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LMFAO!!!! You wont get skin cancer.... maybe a tan, but seriously the risk of skin cancer related to indoor growing is probly lower than you standing outside in the ever so thinning Ozone layer. There is precautions you take to keep from burning your house down.... like securing your lights, and power cords tucked neatly... I mean shit Sweet n low causes cancer, im sure in 25 years theyre gonna find out that Fruity Pebbles caused hundereds of child cancer cases. Dont be afraid of living.