Ive used the
Solacure 32w Flower Power bulbs, for almost 8 years, with good results. Though, I do believe some strains, are affected more than others. Plants with genetics where there are high levels of UVA/B, would seem logically, most affected.
I sue them from the very start-Seedling Stage. As soon as they come up, they are under the
Solacure bulbs.
While some may disagree. I started growing when the very first HID bulbs came into existence. 1977-78 They came from the Navy Nuclear Sub Program, and the Navy used these bulbs to grow veggies, as sometimes they would have zero contact for 9 months. So this gave them fresh food.
They were 1000w Halide. They were also super fragile, and many would not survive shipping, and they gave no guarantee, they would survive shipping. So if it broke in shipping. Tough luck. No Replacement.
But, 6 months later, someone came out with a bulb, named the Supernova, and was warranted for shipping. 1000w Halide.
So, from the very start of HID use, Ive started seedlings under 1000w, though, I have also used a 1000w
Hortilux HPS, and 1150w
Gavita DE, for starting seeds.
I also used the SHO Fluroescent, before there were HID. I do use Cool white Fluroescent for rooting clones. No UVA/B
I use 2 of the
Solacure bulbs, for evey 1000w HID, or Equal, in a 4 x 4 foot area. They are 24 inches from the canopy, farther if DE HID, 40in, and run higher output, and longer duration.
They get 4 hours per day. Ive seen the pulse method too, but do use it, but not against it. I veg 24/0, and every 3 days lights out 4 hours.
The
Solacure bulb, while full spectrum UVA/B, has Most of its power in the 280nm- I believe its around 305nm. It takes very expensive glass, to transmit this light frequency efficiently. The
Solacure is the most effective at activating the RVBR8 receptor, as this is where the SC, is most powerful. The SC, is also overbuilt, and can be run as high as 80w, but is rated 32w. The 32w
Solacure is 10x+ more powerful than the Arcadia Desert Dragon 54w bulb. Which I believe is the most powerful Reptile Bulb.
It also takes UVB, to generate Vitamin D.
The Argomax is probably the next most powerful vs
Solacure.
Solacure is also T12, and is much larger diameter, than any other UVA/B bulb. Also has a built in reflector, on the INSIDE, of the bulb. UVA/B, cannot be reflected by a standard reflector. The SC, has a special coating on the inside of the bulb, that efficiently reflects the UVA/B.
From what Ive gathered, UVA, is Very Beneficial in the aid of Photosynthesis, and this has been known, for years. I also believe UVA, helps protect against high levels of UVB,
ScienceDirect
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S016894521630810X
Feb 1, 2017 · UV-A radiation can also enhance photosynthesis through induced protection of the photosynthetic apparatus under abiotic stress conditions (such as high UV-B levels, drought or …
ASM Journals
https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/a…
In this study, we investigated the effects of UV-A radiation on the growth, photosynthetic ability, and metabolome of the edible cyanobacterium Nostoc