UVA/UVB the real deal. A must read topic for all growers.

I dont think CMH can factor into this thread at all... MH lights have a coating on the inside of the glass bulb that filters out the UV light to protect you from the UV light that is generated... So unless you break the bulb and burn it naked(very dangerous) there will be close to no UV being emitted.

On the website for the light shown on the first page there is a note that states they will only sell the product to zoo's or pet stores and "hobbyists with a UV meter" whatever that means? it says you will have to call them to place an order for that product...

I would like to implement at least some UV lighting one only one side of my room to see a side by side comparrison between the products. But I think its important to understand that your not looking for a higher Dry weight here.. the results will be in how high you get off the bud, so if you dont see a higher yield when you do the test dont assume it failed.
measure out equal sized samples and smoke them at different times and judge whether you noticed a difference in the high.

I don't know if everything that guy was saying in the video was 100% accurate, I always thought THC degrades into CBD, whereas he is saying that CBD turns into THC. He has obviously done alot more research than I have so I will consider they he may have it correct. If UV is a catalyst for turning CBD into THC then it makes sense that this UV lighting trick will have good results. The outcome could be a slightly different THC/CBD ratio in the bud, which as everyone knows is the big determining factor in what kindof high the buds produce. Using UV with a Sativa strain could be very good at bringing out the strains true potential.

Thedillestpickle said:

I always thought THC degrades into CBD, whereas he is saying that CBD turns into THC. He has obviously done alot more research than I have so I will consider they he may have it correct.

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That is correct. I thought it was the other way as well. To quote Ed Rosenthals latest book "CBD turns to THC which turns into CBN". I've also read that in other sources.

Hello, if I could put in my 2 cents worth, anyone who goes to all the trouble of growing some decent herb is really doeing themselves and their babies a great injustice if they don't add in a little UV-B to their grow. Why do you think all the good weed comes from places with high UV-B exposure? If you break down and spend the extra 30 bucks for a couple of repti-glo 10 cfl's and hang em close during flowering...YOU WILL NOT REGRET IT!!!

GreenVet said:

So after many hours of research and now trial i have come to realize that anyone now growing should add some UVB bulbs to your grow. I could sit here and explain everything to you but i'll just post a vid and lay out the basics for those who don't have time to watch the video, although i do recommend it.

Basically lets look at the trichromes. They are the plants natural defence agaisnt insects, heat and uv rays for the plants catlyxs'. The way a trichrome works is unique to only marijuana. It acts as a magnifiying glass, absorbing the UV rays and reflecting the light back away from the catlyx out towards the leaves to keep the catlyx cool for seed production. The trichromes start to produce more THC (the nice little chemical that absorbs UV) in response to more UV. Basically, if you add a small amount of UV for 4-5 hours a day during the middle of your light cycle your trichromes will be MUCH larger then if you had not used UV. THC is natures sunblock, absorbing harmful UV rays, now you don't want to go to crazy, UV=heat, keep it down to 2 150 watt UVA/UVB reptile bulbs for every 1000 watts of HPS. If you watch the video link I posted you'll be amazed at the test show, same strain cut from same mother, same everything other then one with UV one with out, it's outstanding the diffrence in size of trichrome heads, they really start to lean from the weight of the extra cannabanoids being produced.

I'd like to see what everyone else thinks and their experiances, i'll post some pics of my experiment in about a month when harvest time comes, but it's already looking way good for the UV plants.


Enjoy the Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfiI78uN3Ks

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So you did a control group, a UVA group, a UVB group, and a UVA/B group? All plants clone from the same mother as well? If not, then I don't see much validity as no real study was done - but I'm glad your grow is going well.

screwbird said:

Hello, if I could put in my 2 cents worth, anyone who goes to all the trouble of growing some decent herb is really doeing themselves and their babies a great injustice if they don't add in a little UV-B to their grow. Why do you think all the good weed comes from places with high UV-B exposure? If you break down and spend the extra 30 bucks for a couple of repti-glo 10 cfl's and hang em close during flowering...YOU WILL NOT REGRET IT!!!

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Good first post.

5% is statistically irrelevant and 10% is borderline statistically irrelevant.
Just saying.

So far this pretty close to my favorite thread .. props Really nice work guys .

I'm adding about 5 26w cfl 10.0 uvb reptile lights to my current grow for flowering. I'm going to run the uvb lights for the entire lights on photoperiod for the entire duration of flowering. Lots of people insist uvb increases potency but I've never seen anyone back it up with any sort of proof. That's why i will be lab testing to see if cannabinoid levels have actually increased. I'm mainly going to focus on the AK-47 for this seeing that I have already lab tested the same cut already in 4 different grows, it also has a decent amount of Afghan in it's genetics so its ideal for a UVB test.

^^ If your lights are like the Reptisun cfls I use you will want to keep the light 3 to 5 inches away from the buds. At 3 inches they are over the 500 uw upper limit but not bad for me anyways. 10 or 12 inches away from the bulbs you are at or less than 150 uw , which is the lowest level of uvb to do much of anything.

When should I add the UV/B? I am one week into flowering. I figured I'd at least wait til week 4 or 5, but what do you guys think?

^^ right now imo

Do the repti glow 10.0 bulbs work in a 240v par 38 fitting? Or is a special socket required ? I saw ceramic ones advertised on same site as globes..not sure if they were designed for this product or not...?

3 Pounds of Weeden said:

When should I add the UV/B? I am one week into flowering. I figured I'd at least wait til week 4 or 5, but what do you guys think?

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I would use them the entire duration of flowering.

Are the 10.0s useable in a 1mx1 tent? I heard they generate quite a bit of heat...tent is already operating between 30-35c...wondering if I should wait til winter to use it? Thoughts appreciated...

any of the 10.0 cfl iguana bulbs dont really create that much heat, they should be fine in your 1mx1 tent~

i actually UVb starting from veg all the way to finish~

#cheers

Do they fit in par 38 fixtures? Thanks..

par in PAR38 light stands for parabolic. all general lighting bulbs use the same size male socket end, which is called e27 yes they will fit those types of fixtures.

Thanks im in oz.shall put this in my floodlight fixture..

Gastanker said:

For the amount of UV the $65 sounds like a bargain. If I didn't have my side lighting I would definitely spring for one of those. Would definitely benefit water dragons as long as they are in the appropriate enclosure.

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i have 2 of these 4 my water dragons and they do wonders but they also get really hot...u couldnt get em to close or burn while def result...i was thinkin of borrowin the lights jus 2 see if they had any inpact but as i said they get supert fuckin ht and in my grow area it would def overheat the closet...if u can control the temps then i say hellll yea go 4 it they def put out some uvb and high lums

I have read somewhere that, using UVB rays to produce more trichromes in return has it effect on the yield. Since the plant is trying to focus energy on repairing/protecting itself from these rays.
Has anyone had any experiences to prove this incorrect?