UV Suppliment Lighting

[Randomblame]

conclusive research would be hard to find. its been talked about in this thread and others but essentially its strain dependent. it depends where that strain evolved. uv varies by location/elevation. also some UV bulbs are just way too strong. and you don't use them during the full light cycle. just like some reptiles need desert bulbs and others need forest bulbs. if you're looking for specific numbers you can check with a UV light meter randomblame has posted them somewhere in this thread already.

i just added UV so i don't have any results yet personally.

It depends not only on the % of UVB it also depends on how close the spectrum comes to 285nm. The farer away we are from 285 the more time we need and from 300nm on you see probably very little increase in thc content.
Arcadia bulbs for instance go down to ~290nm and that means we need already a 5 times higher dose to see the same effect you get from 1-2h Solacure spectrum. But on the other hand its more dangerous to work directly with 285nm cause you can damage the plants faster. With Solacure bulbs you should increase in 10-15 minute steps, with Reptile bulbs you increase in 30-60 minute steps.


@Chunky Stool
Below is an interesting pdf and 2 lab tests.
Its neccessary to use bulbs with light between 285 and 295nm. Some reptile bulbs have only light down to 300-305nm and such a bulb would have almost no effect. To really see and feel a difference you need to make a comparision test with and w/o UVB. Only this way it makes sense. You could fill 2 rosin bags and press them to compare the results. Fact is, all strains react a bit different and the space between stimulation and damage is pretty small.
I've used 12% Arcadia bulbs a few times and can tell ya the exact opposite. The difference was clearly feelable and the UV buds also had a much stronger smell. Pretty easy to say which was which.
Next step was I've tried the 6 times stronger Agromax bulbs(75% instead 12) and it was not a good idea. These bulbs a simply too strong and need a minimum distance of min. 26-30".
I really like the Solacure T8 bulbs. They still deliver 285nm light but they are only half as strong as the flowerpower bulbs. So its still 2-3 times as strong as a reptile bulb but less damaging.

Which bulb have you used for your test?

 

[Moflow]

Solacures in action.....


1500 umols across the canopy. 2 x HLG 550s and an HLG300 and pure CO2.
He also pumped in his home brewing gas of nitrogen and co2 while waiting on the pure co2.... lol

We'll have to await results.

 

[oldbeancounter]

I have 4 of the four foot Solacures in a 4 by 8 foot tent 7 foot high, is it enough UVB and when should I start trying them in the grow cycle? Is there a way to measure output to spread everything out evenly?
I have two 4 foot two bulb lights so 2 bulbs in each light for a total of 64 watts each light and 128 for entire tent with both on.
Should I run just one bulbs each light and add maybe a 4000k bulb in other slot of two bulb unit?

 

[oldbeancounter]

Solacures in action.....

View attachment 4329835
1500 umols across the canopy. 2 x HLG 550s and an HLG300 and pure CO2.
He also pumped in his home brewing gas of nitrogen and co2 while waiting on the pure co2.... lol

We'll have to await results.

@Moflow
Plants look awesome!
Have you used the solacare bulbs before? if so can you tell a difference in using them ?

 

[Moflow]

@Moflow
Plants look awesome!
Have you used the solacare bulbs before? if so can you tell a difference in using them ?

No mate, this is the first proper run with them. So ill keep ya'll updated.

 

[Chunky Stool]

@Chunky Stool
Below is an interesting pdf and 2 lab tests.
Its neccessary to use bulbs with light between 285 and 295nm. Some reptile bulbs have only light down to 300-305nm and such a bulb would have almost no effect. To really see and feel a difference you need to make a comparision test with and w/o UVB. Only this way it makes sense. You could fill 2 rosin bags and press them to compare the results. Fact is, all strains react a bit different and the space between stimulation and damage is pretty small.
I've used 12% Arcadia bulbs a few times and can tell ya the exact opposite. The difference was clearly feelable and the UV buds also had a much stronger smell. Pretty easy to say which was which.
Next step was I've tried the 6 times stronger Agromax bulbs(75% instead 12) and it was not a good idea. These bulbs a simply too strong and need a minimum distance of min. 26-30".
I really like the Solacure T8 bulbs. They still deliver 285nm light but they are only half as strong as the flowerpower bulbs. So its still 2-3 times as strong as a reptile bulb but less damaging.

Which bulb have you used for your test?

I'm using bare bulb MH for UV.
My experiments aren't exactly scientific for various reasons.
It's fun, but any conclusions are sketchy without a good side-by-side comparison.

 

[Randomblame]

I have 4 of the four foot Solacures in a 4 by 8 foot tent 7 foot high, is it enough UVB and when should I start trying them in the grow cycle? Is there a way to measure output to spread everything out evenly?
I have two 4 foot two bulb lights so 2 bulbs in each light for a total of 64 watts each light and 128 for entire tent with both on.
Should I run just one bulbs each light and add maybe a 4000k bulb in other slot of two bulb unit?

Read the last few pages, bro! You'll find all the info's you need.
In short, start with a low dose. 2x 15 minutes per day(in the morning and evening) is enough! Keep that level for ~ a week to make the girls used to it.
From week 2 you can increase the daily dose to up to 2h per day(1+1) but do it slowly, 15 mins more every few days. If you see some kind of heat stress on the upper fan leaves(curled up leaf margins and tips or twisted leaves) reduce it by 30 minutes and leave it right there.
You have to figure out the maximum dose again with every new strain in your groom cuz each strain has its own tolerance UV light.

 

[Moflow]

My friend noticed olive green colouring on a few leaves and has now raised the lights from ~ 14 inches away to 24 inches away from plants.
No other visual signs of damage so far

 

[Rocket Soul]

@Moflow and all the usual euro suspects:

You know anywhere i can get the solarcure gear online in Eu region for cheapish coin? Preferably in 4 foot.

 

[Moflow]

@Moflow and all the usual euro suspects:

You know anywhere i can get the solarcure gear online in Eu region for cheapish coin? Preferably in 4 foot.

Dunno about cheapish....... here's a couple of links

https://grownuphydroponics.com/solacure-uv-grow-lights-quality.html

https://www.solacure.com/shipping.html

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Solacure-UV-Grow-Lights-Quality-/223062152842?redirect=mobile

 

[ttystikk]

I'm using bare bulb MH for UV.
My experiments aren't exactly scientific for various reasons.
It's fun, but any conclusions are sketchy without a good side-by-side comparison.

I bet you aren't getting any UV with that. The safety glass envelope on those lamps is specifically formulated to eliminate UV for safety reasons.

 

[Chunky Stool]

I bet you aren't getting any UV with that. The safety glass envelope on those lamps is specifically formulated to eliminate UV for safety reasons.

It depends on how they're rated 'O' for open, or 'E' for enclosed.
My bulbs are so cheap, they're not rated at all.

Definitely give me a tan if I'm in there very long...

 

[ttystikk]

It depends on how they're rated 'O' for open, or 'E' for enclosed.
My bulbs are so cheap, they're not rated at all.

Definitely give me a tan if I'm in there very long...

On the data sheets I read, the outer envelope was the one that shielded UV.

Open rated just means that the inner envelope is protected.

Not here to quibble. My CMH worked well for me, too.

 

[Chunky Stool]

On the data sheets I read, the outer envelope was the one that shielded UV.

Open rated just means that the inner envelope is protected.

Not here to quibble. My CMH worked well for me, too.

CMH? That would be awesome!

I use plain old MH...

 

[ttystikk]

CMH? That would be awesome!

I use plain old MH...

Yeah, upgrade ASAP. Be certain you get real square wave ballasts when you do, as that's where the whole whitening improvement comes from. CMH lamps last longer and the spectrum is better. Stuck with 315W units, just get as many as you need for your canopy, as multiple smaller light sources is much better for even, complete coverage.

The incremental cost from there to LED is shrinking every day though, so there's that.

 

[oldbeancounter]

Read the last few pages, bro! You'll find all the info's you need.
In short, start with a low dose. 2x 15 minutes per day(in the morning and evening) is enough! Keep that level for ~ a week to make the girls used to it.
From week 2 you can increase the daily dose to up to 2h per day(1+1) but do it slowly, 15 mins more every few days. If you see some kind of heat stress on the upper fan leaves(curled up leaf margins and tips or twisted leaves) reduce it by 30 minutes and leave it right there.
You have to figure out the maximum dose again with every new strain in your groom cuz each strain has its own tolerance UV light.

Makes much more sense thanks,
just been trying to absorb to much to fast and this topic

Read the last few pages, bro! You'll find all the info's you need.
In short, start with a low dose. 2x 15 minutes per day(in the morning and evening) is enough! Keep that level for ~ a week to make the girls used to it.
From week 2 you can increase the daily dose to up to 2h per day(1+1) but do it slowly, 15 mins more every few days. If you see some kind of heat stress on the upper fan leaves(curled up leaf margins and tips or twisted leaves) reduce it by 30 minutes and leave it right there.
You have to figure out the maximum dose again with every new strain in your groom cuz each strain has its own tolerance UV light.

I have read every damm thing I can find till my eyes hurt.
It is hard to know what is BS and real these days.
To me with the money at stake in global grow equipment sales leads to some BS and some pain full on lies/deception/false claims so I err on side of caution , thanks for your input it is invaluable at least to me.
no bulbs yet tomorrow they say

 

[oldbeancounter]

No mate, this is the first proper run with them. So ill keep ya'll updated.

I have noticed a difference
I only have two pot plants going, one bigger , small one I put under it and thing loves it not sure if male or female yet.
I have many other things growing that have started flowering right away under the Solacure T8 bulbs, two tomato plants, a sweet potato plant, the smell is incredible all of a sudden. I cant wait to do a full run and smoke it using these bulbs!
I have 5 but so far just run 2 at 32 watts each , more testing plants that are disposable before my main run starts and I burn everything up lol
I forgot one and left it on for about 5 hours plus and plant about 18 inches away two 32 watt bulbs going but I had been trying it with it a coupe days but it is still kicking but wont do it again plant looks haggard.
What i really noticed is the smell, wow, what a increase in smell everything it touches
Hope to get pics up once I assemble all the junk i bought.
Hard on the noggin learning all this at one time there is just so much to consider growing inside to reach outdoor terp levels in soil indoors.

 

[Moflow]

I have noticed a difference
I only have two pot plants going, one bigger , small one I put under it and thing loves it not sure if male or female yet.
I have many other things growing that have started flowering right away under the Solacure T8 bulbs, two tomato plants, a sweet potato plant, the smell is incredible all of a sudden. I cant wait to do a full run and smoke it using these bulbs!
I have 5 but so far just run 2 at 32 watts each , more testing plants that are disposable before my main run starts and I burn everything up lol
I forgot one and left it on for about 5 hours plus and plant about 18 inches away two 32 watt bulbs going but I had been trying it with it a coupe days but it is still kicking but wont do it again plant looks haggard.
What i really noticed is the smell, wow, what a increase in smell everything it touches
Hope to get pics up once I assemble all the junk i bought.
Hard on the noggin learning all this at one time there is just so much to consider growing inside to reach outdoor terp levels in soil indoors.

My friend is saying that the smell of the plants in the tent under the solarcures is definitely stronger, enhanced. He's still running them for 2 hours in total over the 12 hours. 2 x 1 hour periods.

 

[oldbeancounter]

My friend is saying that the smell of the plants in the tent under the solarcures is definitely stronger, enhanced. He's still running them for 2 hours in total over the 12 hours. 2 x 1 hour periods.

Wicked! It not just me lol
I plan on ruining 4 at 32 watts(I can dial em up or down if I want with the variac I bought) once my veg light is ready

 

[Chunky Stool]

My friend is saying that the smell of the plants in the tent under the solarcures is definitely stronger, enhanced. He's still running them for 2 hours in total over the 12 hours. 2 x 1 hour periods.

Sulfur is your friend when it comes to smell & taste.