Standalone IR & UV lights, recommendations?

ItsAllMedical · Jun 2, 2021

I'm looking for some separate UV & IR lamps to introduce during flowering. I'm getting a Kingbrite but they don't seem to do them as separate units.

Good brands to go for? I know with fluorescent/CFL the UV output diminishes quite quickly; not sure if LED suffers from this problem.

OldManRiver · Jun 2, 2021

Solacure for UV has done me well.

Homesteader · Jun 3, 2021

I would just get reptile bulbs if you want to try UV. You could also grab some infrared incandescent as well. Personally I wouldn't put much money into this venture

mysticepipedon · Jun 3, 2021

Some companies have sold t-5 tubes that I believe were made for tanning beds (hmm… how would I know that?) that will bake your plants. Get reptile lights for desert lizards, which should give you 10-15% UVB and they won't burn your plants (on their own).

As far is IR goes, I don't know anyone who uses them.

Homesteader · Jun 3, 2021

Forgot to mention also that UV bulbs or diodes both have a short life. I think reptile bulbs need to be replaced every 3 months if you are looking for the full UV amount rated on the bulb. UV diodes probably last a bit longer but they are pricey

ItsAllMedical · Jun 3, 2021

Thanks all. Ended up going for the Kingbrite with the IR & UV included. I had been going to purchase the 3000k alone & figured it might be worth supplementing with UV in flower, but went for the next model up. Figured it was worth the extra money - not for the UV but for the fact it's IP65.

Pondracer · Jun 3, 2021

I run this.

UV Bar: UVA + UVB – Mammoth Lighting

Product Description: Mammoth Lighting UV LED Grow Light Bar Key Features: Single UV Bar: This is a standalone option, including the UV bar, driver, and plug. UVA (400nm) + UVB (310nm): The UV bar emits both UVA and UVB light wavelengths. Suspended Installation: Two attached hooks allow for easy...

mammothlighting.com

OldManRiver · Jun 3, 2021

ItsAllMedical said:
Thanks all. Ended up going for the Kingbrite with the IR & UV included. I had been going to purchase the 3000k alone & figured it might be worth supplementing with UV in flower, but went for the next model up. Figured it was worth the extra money - not for the UV but for the fact it's IP65.

Be very careful around UV. It's harsh stuff

ItsAllMedical · Jun 3, 2021

OldManRiver said:
Be very careful around UV. It's harsh stuff

Thanks for the tip; I only bought this one because it's possible to turn the UV & IR off with separate switches.

I was reading though that even CFLs emit some small amount of UV. It got me wondering if it was contributing to my grow in some way. For the last few years I've been using 65W CFL for both veg and flower; they're now at the end of their lifespan. They were what was affordable then without using astronomical amounts of power. I've produced some amazing buds with them, however it has taken longer than I would have hoped, I'm picking due to suboptimal light levels.

novazeus · Aug 20, 2021

i bought 4 t5 4' fixtures for $50 (amazon), and 4 agromax pure uv bulbs for $87(htg) delivered and two bn-link mechanical timers for $18 delivered. (amazon)
ran my first cycle of 15 minutes twice in the middle of lights on last night. nobody died.
i've got 3 in their last 3 weeks in a 4x8 and the middle plant has a little powdery mildew so i'm curious to see if h2o2 plus uv will kill it.
putting the other two with 4 plants in a 5x10 that i'm gonna run uv from flip to finish.
pretty cheap experiment considering i'm only a medical oral extract user with needs of more than a pound a month just to live.(i have no idea of how many street pounds i've bought in the past 7 years at $2700-$3000).
trust me, taking 1200 to 1600mg of extract daily isn't recreational. i've yet to meet any human or animal that likes taking extract orally.
anybody with experience with uv, please chime in.

dirt_wizard · Aug 22, 2021

Solacure Super B, best price/performance/strength ratio of anything. The stronger reptile bulbs are OK but cost more, and just ok. Agromax Pure UV is way too harsh and a bad spectrum.

Oldchucky · Aug 22, 2021

I’ve been told in the Central Valley in Cali it’s going for 600 a pound now. Probably what’s left over from last year‘s crop. I am acquainted with a guy Who has 40 from last year. Can anyone say flooded market!

ComfortablyNumb · Aug 22, 2021

We use a pair of these during flower; one on each side of the tent;

https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/zoo-med-repti-basking-spot-lamps

LivingBlackSoil · Apr 1, 2022

ItsAllMedical said:
Thanks all. Ended up going for the Kingbrite with the IR & UV included. I had been going to purchase the 3000k alone & figured it might be worth supplementing with UV in flower, but went for the next model up. Figured it was worth the extra money - not for the UV but for the fact it's IP65.

How do you like the light?

Standalone IR & UV lights, recommendations?

Standalone IR & UV lights, recommendations?

ItsAllMedical

OldManRiver

Homesteader

mysticepipedon

Homesteader

ItsAllMedical

Pondracer

UV Bar: UVA + UVB – Mammoth Lighting

OldManRiver

ItsAllMedical

novazeus

dirt_wizard

Oldchucky

ComfortablyNumb

LivingBlackSoil

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