Bulb uses way to many watts for the UVA/B production. Not a lot of the UVA/B is making it to the plants, and notice I said not a lot. Some is making it. Jut very overrated for 315w
Look at it like this. I'll use 2 bulbs as examples. 1 made for Reptiles, and 1 made for Plants. Plants/Animals thrive on different UVA/B strengths though the sun I constant.
The Arcadia Desert Reptile 54w Desert DRAGON bulb is the strongest Reptile UVA/B bulb made. Its 14% UVA/B. You need to wear EYE PROTECTION when around these bulbs. CMH 10,000k don't burn your eyes out from UVA/B The Arcadia will. Its like a sun tanning bulb.
Also take this into consideration.
It takes very special glass to let UVA/B through. CMH doesn't use this type glass.
Considering the Desert Dragon Bulb is the most powerful Reptile UVA/B bulb made at 14%, the Solacure Flower Power is 30%+., and the UVA/B has been made more ratio friendly to plants vs humans.
This bulb allows all the way down to 280nm. NO other bulb does this. This is as low as it goes before hitting UVC
The Hortilux Power Veg bulbs watt for watt, are also more powerful that the 315w CMH as far as usable UVA/B goes.
The 32w Solacure is more than 2x the power of a 54w Dragon Bulb, and uses 22 less watts.. It takes 6 of these in a 4 x 4 vs 2 of the Solacure. And the Arcadia have to be closer.
2 x 32w Solacure are recommended for a 4 x 4 at 24 inches.
I use these bulbs in VEG too. I figure they get strong UVA/B Outside in veg, so theyre gonna get it from me too.
I use them 8 hours, of a 12 hours flowering cycle, and no more than 6 hours in veg.
I wait 2 hours after my HID lights come on in flowering, and then turn them on, and then 2 ours before lights out, they go off.
In a 24 hours veg cycle they get 12 hours UVA/B.
Consider.
Solacure will blind you in short order with no eye protection?? YEP.
CMH will not blind you. Yep.
Also better watch the Power Veg. Though theyre not as powerful vs Replite/Sola. They will still cause permanent damage to your eyes.
