As close as possible. 2-5 inches for maximum effect. 1 foot with UVB 10 is max for effectiveness and 1.5 feet for the arcadia D3+. Only because they are HO. MV lamps can be a little more. They have MV that are even higher output (Zoo Quality) and would work even better if you could get them.What is a good distance from the canopy? Reflector or no? Thanks in advance!
UVB Nerd? Eye protection on. lolI love threads like this that bring out the uber nerd in us all!
Thank you for the heads up @Pepe le skunk
After some quick research it seems, "Arcadia D3+ T5" lamps are the best available, I am just about to order 2 of the 54w 46" models
I will say that it does something. Been fimiliar with UVB from way back in 96 when Zoo Med spoke about UVB for reptiles and Vitiman D. Also Vitalite research showed that their lights helped prevent Winter depression.also you never gave you're conclusion on UVB supplementation.
Feel free to share your info. The meter Yesum uses is a good indicator of the power of UVB and his readings are correct.Wow pepe. You sure know your stuff lol tell us more!
Green Science: I'm glad you're running an experiment like this for others to learn from, however, CFL's like the ones I see in your pic won't suffice for proper UVB supplementation. Nor will ZooMed products or anything in that video pepe posted. Gonna shoot ya a pm.
Nice one Yesum. Have seen a few different tests including readings at noon in the tropics using the same meters. When you consider the UVB the plants receive in the final weeks the extra % of uvb is helpful even if it is between the 150 and 500 readings. The exposed buds will produce additional resin the plant is capable of producing with the extra wavelength of light.I have Reptisun 5.0 and 10.0 27 watt cfls. I use a Solarmeter 6.2 which measures the uvb in our spectrum. 280 to 320 nm or whatever they are called.
The light is too intense at closer than 3 inches(700 or so uw) and falls off to non useful levels at more than around 10 inches from bulb.
You kinda need a meter which runs almost 200 clams. If you run the light I listed then just go by my advice if you want to save on a meter. 500 uw is the higher limit and 150 uw being the lower limit to get any effect.
I turn off the lights when working in the garden. At least wear uv blocking shades if you do not turn them off.