UV Suppliment Lighting

[Or_Gro]

@Or_Gro
A PAR meter and later UV meter, has always been on my list.
Getting everything I need first LED wise/tent setup is my strategy,
as you know in Canada to setup a good grow system does not come cheap.
I will look into the UV meter you pointed out, no problems, simple to use?.
I have four QB18's coming along with one HLG 36 UVA.
Once I figure out who will supply rest of my strips I can focus on installing/building my system as I will have everything needed.
Even with proper meters( I do use a lux meter) I will go by plant response as I do now, no two tents, lights, humidity, strain , temp etc are the same in one person's grow to someone else's so these numbers are a good starting point that many give but for me I will find my own sweet spot for my own particular light recipe.
thanks for info!

Meters quantify what’s going on, the plants tell you whether thise quantities are good/bad/indifferent.

The best value for your $, in par meters, is the apogee mq-501 https://www.apogeeinstruments.com/mq-501-handheld-full-spectrum-quantum-meter/

To get started, your lux meter combined with lux to ppfd conversion factor for the specific light, will get the job done reasonably well:

https://horticulturelightinggroup.com/blogs/calculators/converting-lux-to-ppfd

 

[Or_Gro]

na, I will pass , UVC is too risky
The bulbs I have will kill bugs I am certain of that.

Do dwc and bugs wont be an issue...

 

[oldbeancounter]

Meters quantify what’s going on, the plants tell you whether thise quantities are good/bad/indifferent.

The best value for your $, in par meters, is the apogee mq-501 https://www.apogeeinstruments.com/mq-501-handheld-full-spectrum-quantum-meter/

To get started, your lux meter combined with lux to ppfd conversion factor fot the specific light, will get the job dobe reasonably well:

https://horticulturelightinggroup.com/blogs/calculators/converting-lux-to-ppfd

Ouch that sucker is pricey.
But if it works it is work it.
I will also check the solocure bulbs and see if it kicks
anything out on its own on lux meter tomorrow as it off now.
They have kinda a blue ish purple depending on what light I have on with it kinda like the disco lights or glow in dark bowling lol
Few weeks I will be able to look into meters as to much going on to right now.

 

[Or_Gro]

Ouch that sucker is pricey.
But if it works it is work it.
I will also check the solocure bulbs and see if it kicks
anything out on its own on lux meter tomorrow as it off now.
They have kinda a blue ish purple depending on what light I have on with it kinda like the disco lights or glow in dark bowling lol
Few weeks I will be able to look into meters as to much going on to right now.

Lux meters measure intensity of spectrum visible to human eyes, you won’t pick up any uv on them....

 

[oldbeancounter]

Do dwc and bugs wont be an issue...

trust me I am thinking about it
need to look into pumps, etc yet
will do after the grow I have started first as I am under the gun to get everything ready before plants get to big.
I am allowed 26 so need a lot of room which took a lot of time to fit a huge tent into my small place lol
Last time was allowed only four and one didn't make it so I am glad that pressure isn't there this time.
I did not have much last time, no humidifier, no dehumidifier, no proper VPD possible, no tent, but weed was pretty dank so can not wait to see how next grow goes.

 

[oldbeancounter]

Lux meters measure intensity of spectrum visible to human eyes, you won’t pick up any uv on them....

ok
will be curious to see then

 

[Or_Gro]

trust me I am thinking about it
need to look into pumps, etc yet
will do after the grow I have started first as I am under the gun to get everything ready before plants get to big.
I am allowed 26 so need a lot of room which took a lot of time to fit a huge tent into my small place lol
Last time was allowed only four and one didn't make it so I am glad that pressure isn't there this time.
I did not have much last time, no dehumidifier, no dehumidifier, no proper VPD possible, no tent, but weed was pretty dank so can not wait to see how next grow goes.

My advice: don’t even think about advanced and new areas like uv until you get your lights, vpd, media, and technique dialed in...

 

[oldbeancounter]

My advice: don’t even think about advanced and new areas like uv until you get your lights, vpd, media, and technique dialed in...

I have done so.
Got it all checked out and know what temps-humidity and lighting
but wanted to see if it can be improved and it can
I do have 700 watts of QB 3000 k I grew my last grow with and knew the spectrum needed more things added(what i didn't know but do now) almost right away.
Once I have the info I am quite comfortable using it right away but really like you said the PAR and UV meter will help so I will get them.

 

[.RootDown]

I have done so.
Got it all checked out and know what temps-humidity and lighting
but wanted to see if it can be improved and it can
I do have 700 watts of QB 3000 k I grew my last grow with and knew the spectrum needed more things added(what i didn't know but do now) almost right away.
Once I have the info I am quite comfortable using it right away but really like you said the PAR and UV meter will help so I will get them.

If you're concerned about spectrum you should also consider a spectrometer in addition to a PAR meter. I just picked up a Sekonic c-700r-u. Already have an Apogee MQ-500, interested in getting a UV meter one day as well.

 

[oldbeancounter]

@RootDown
love one!
Just need to sell my soul to devil and get a paper route as this is like the 1976 Montreal Olympics cost overrun from when I first thought about growing indoors and what it would cost and what it really costs to do it at least partly to my best ability lol
What did you get it for? USA funds?

 

[Or_Gro]

If you're concerned about spectrum you should also consider a spectrometer in addition to a PAR meter. I just picked up a Sekonic c-700r-u. Already have an Apogee MQ-500, interested in getting a UV meter one day as well.

He thinks the apogee is expensive...



I love my Sekonic, but it won’t tell you much for uv, the design range is: 380-780nm, basically visible range.

 

[oldbeancounter]

If you're concerned about spectrum you should also consider a spectrometer in addition to a PAR meter. I just picked up a Sekonic c-700r-u. Already have an Apogee MQ-500, interested in getting a UV meter one day as well.

Yeah, these bulbs run with ac voltage. Reduce input voltage and you reduce output voltage too. There are also dimmable ballasts but they are hard to find. Do you use the Solacure ballast or a different T8 ballast?
I've only found a dimmable T5 ballast but these are electronic not magnetic ballasts. But nice to know that it works with a variac. Makes things much easier. For my T5 ballast I need a 1-10v dimmer which means I need an additional power supply or have to power the dimmer with ac too. The dimmer I have can luckily use both 12-24vdc or 120/240vac to create the 1-10v needed for dimming and its complicated to dimm more bulbs in once. But with a variac you can dimm a bunch of bulbs in once easily.

Do not over do it with the tomato seedling. If you start with a lower dose I'm pretty sure the seedling can handle it..
I've used a little 11w CFL with C. seedlings and have not seen any issues but it was a 10.0 Reptisun bulb.

OK,
will keep that in mind but they are my testers-patients or whatever you call it when you torture plants to make em smell and taste good.
Will see when I wake em up but they seemed like it, they turned leaves right at it. I think I read you can use 390 ish to germinate or maybe it was clone, was on Cutters website.but

 

[oldbeancounter]

He thinks the apogee is expensive...

View attachment 4342858

I love my Sekonic, but it won’t tell you much for uv, the design range is: 380-780nm, basically visible range.

View attachment 4342859

Might see if I can rent one to set my tent up that is alot of gear I can buy for that lol

 

[Or_Gro]

Might see if I can rent one to set my tent up that is alot of gear I can buy for that lol

That might be an option....not sure where you can actually do it, but if sekonic couldn’t steer you to someone, i’d start with video and camera shops. My understanding is that these are a standard tool in the photo/vid production world.

You got your priorities right, get growing, then start tuning....

 

[ttystikk]

I know of people who run UV supplementation from seedling on, for a logical reason; sunlight does not discriminate between plants based on age. This way the plants are always hardened off to UV so when they bloom they aren't damaged when the grower adds it.

@RM3 is very knowledgeable about UV supplementation, perhaps you can share some insights?

 

[oldbeancounter]

That might be an option....not sure where you can actually do it, but if sekonic couldn’t steer you to someone, i’d start with video and camera shops. My understanding is that these are a standard tool in the photo/vid production world.

You got your priorities right, get growing, then start tuning....

googled it
got places right away here is one what they charge which one should, I get?

Lighting Accessories / Meters

Rental Items Day Week

• One day rate is for a 24-hour period.
• A week is billed at three times the day rate.
• Weekend rate is billed at the day rate, pickup after 4p.m. Friday, return before 10a.m. on Monday.
• Charges are for time taken, not time used.
• All prices listed are in Canadian Dollars and are subject to change without notice.

Sekonic L-328 Meter 10 day 30 week
Sekonic L-358 Meter 12 day 36 week
Sekonic L-858D Spot/Incident Meter 22 day 66 week
Sekonic C-700 Spectromaster color meter 40day 120 week
this is in canada

 

[Or_Gro]

I know of people who run UV supplementation from seedling on, for a logical reason; sunlight does not discriminate between plants based on age. This way the plants are always hardened off to UV so when they bloom they aren't damaged when the grower adds it.

@RM3 is very knowledgeable about UV supplementation, perhaps you can share some insights?

I ran arcadia uva/b during most of veg thru harvest, no prob, gotta have reasonable good vpd mgt and watch for signs to back off on ramp....plan to start using it in next grow, when clones come out of cloner...

 

[Or_Gro]

googled it
got places right away here is one what they charge which one should, I get?

Lighting Accessories / Meters

Rental Items Day Week

• One day rate is for a 24-hour period.
• A week is billed at three times the day rate.
• Weekend rate is billed at the day rate, pickup after 4p.m. Friday, return before 10a.m. on Monday.
• Charges are for time taken, not time used.
• All prices listed are in Canadian Dollars and are subject to change without notice.

Sekonic L-328 Meter 10 day 30 week
Sekonic L-358 Meter 12 day 36 week
Sekonic L-858D Spot/Incident Meter 22 day 66 week
Sekonic C-700 Spectromaster color meter 40day 120 week
this is in canada

I don’t know about the Ls, the C is the one we have been discussing here, @.RootDown can help you on that particular model.

 

[oldbeancounter]

I don’t know about the Ls, the C is the one we have been discussing here, @.RootDown can help you on that particular model.

I will look it over with fresh eyes later.
If I can rent one and setup everything, would be cool for sure.
If I have to buy one oh well, but I am waiting till everything is built.

 

[nachooo]

I know of people who run UV supplementation from seedling on, for a logical reason; sunlight does not discriminate between plants based on age. This way the plants are always hardened off to UV so when they bloom they aren't damaged when the grower adds it.

@RM3 is very knowledgeable about UV supplementation, perhaps you can share some insights?

This is exactly the reason I have started using the arcadias from veg