uvb safety

[headshake]

what's good everyone? i've got a few questions about uvb safety. i picked up a exo terra brand Repti Glo 10.0 uv bulb. i've been reading the uvb log (you know the really crazy out of control one?) and think i have a handle on the safety precautions.

1. don't look at it/wear sunglasses
2. don't expose your skin to it

is there anything i'm missing?

also, my grow box is made from corrugated, some thick double wall stuff. i have it lined with aluminized auto sunshades. it is fully enclosed minus 3 intakes near the floor and four fans for exhaust at the top. the ~height is 46" tall.

would it be okay to be in this room while the bulb is running (~5 hours during the middle of the light cycle)?

it's not a big deal as i can avoid the room if necessary, but don't want to unless it's needed.

thanks in advance.


-shake

[Weezard]

what's good everyone? i've got a few questions about uvb safety. i picked up a exo terra brand Repti Glo 10.0 uv bulb. i've been reading the uvb log (you know the really crazy out of control one?) and think i have a handle on the safety precautions.

1. don't look at it/wear sunglasses
2. don't expose your skin to it

is there anything i'm missing?

also, my grow box is made from corrugated, some thick double wall stuff. i have it lined with aluminized auto sunshades. it is fully enclosed minus 3 intakes near the floor and four fans for exhaust at the top. the ~height is 46" tall.

would it be okay to be in this room while the bulb is running (~5 hours during the middle of the light cycle)?

it's not a big deal as i can avoid the room if necessary, but don't want to unless it's needed.

thanks in advance.


-shake

Aloha, H. S.

You do know that UVb is harmful to the plant, un-necessary and does not increase potency, yah? - [Opinion backed by fact and personal experiment]:)

Just tried a bud yesterday that was never exposed to UV a, b or c,
2 hits put the wife out of commission for 6 hours.:stoned:
I was in sparkle-ville too, but can always function, sort of.

So, why are you doing this?:wtf:

But the short answer is no.
It is not safe to be in a reflective box with the lamp.
Your pupils will not contract enough to block the radiation entering your eye from the side especially if you wear "shades" UV bounces well and will reflect off the inside surface of sun-glasses.
(Nice little parabolic reflectors, those.)
And it will eventually damage your skin.:microwave:

I could be wrong, plantwise, so let me know if you find it useful for your girls. :cool:


But for people, please have a care there, Shake.
The optical damage is permanent.:(


Now ain't ya glad you asked?:D

Regards
Opinionated
Weezard

[headshake]

i'm sorry weeze, i meant the box is the bedroom. i wouldn't be going in the actual grow box. so it's not safe to be in the room at all while the uvb is on (if i decide to use it)?

there are a few people who are using them and seem to be having good results. oldmac, rusty trichome, image reeper i think (not name dropping, just some people that i think i recall having positve experiences with. this is the post (http://boards.cannabis.com/advanced-techniques/137034-uvb-bulbs-3.html) that i'm talking about. you might have already seen it.

also there is a video on you tube, thc, uvb and me. i think it is also on pot.tv. marijuana man is his moniker i beleive. he talks about it.

i have no personal experience, but figured i would check it out since i was hearing some good things.

thanks for the info!

watcha think?


-shake

[DreadedHermie]

2 hits put the wife out of commission for 6 hours.


So, Weazerd, do you make house calls? Mrs. Hermie keeps regaining consciousness. :p

And, it's (been) your move!

[oldmac]

Yup Headshake,

I'm sorta sorry I came out of the closet on that uvb thread (as a uvb user).
Think I realized that Weez may not be a user when he was untypically quiet towards that thread. While I have used it for quite awhile, I have never really been comfortable about recomending it. It probably falls into the same catergory as CO2 use, when eveything else is dialed in it, then you try it.

It is my opinion uvb can make a difference. It will be pretty easy to test if it will make a difference to you. Do a grow with and without, back to back, same strain, same conditions.

1)UVB will not pass thru walls, or even cardboard and is greatly diminished just passing thru glass. It will be safe in your box as long as you can't see it.
2)I would start at 2hrs/day in middle of light period "high noon" and see if you get an improvement. I don't think I'd use it for more then 4hrs/day, like Weezard said it ain't good for plants either (in large amounts).

And hey, isn't marijuana man believeable, he's like a true profesor in his lectures. Plus he uses some common scence. Also, his take on THC claims...gotta luv it.

[headshake]

thanks for the input mac, as always. i'm still getting my feet wet with bagseed, so maybe i shouldn't/won't mess with it. i'm definitely not dialed in.

decisions decisions.



-shake

[Weezard]

Yup Headshake,

I'm sorta sorry I came out of the closet on that uvb thread (as a uvb user).
Think I realized that Weez may not be a user when he was untypically quiet towards that thread.

Actually, I tried it in a double blind 3 years ago.

When I set up my G.R. I split it into 2 sections and started with all conditions as equal as I could make them except for one variable at a time.
I found no merit in adding UVb.
That does not mean that there is no merit to be had,
Just not enough for me to detect.

While I have used it for quite awhile, I have never really been comfortable about recomending it. It probably falls into the same catergory as CO2 use, when eveything else is dialed in it, then you try it.

Thanks Old Mac an important point well made.
I'm almost dialed in with the lighting.
Added the CO2 because I had a surplus from making wine and da Weeze don't waste nothin'. (Too cheap ya know.)

It is my opinion uvb can make a difference. It will be pretty easy to test if it will make a difference to you. Do a grow with and without, back to back, same strain, same conditions.

Or, mo' betta, side by side.

1)UVB will not pass thru walls, or even cardboard and is greatly diminished just passing thru glass. It will be safe in your box as long as you can't see it.
2)I would start at 2hrs/day in middle of light period "high noon" and see if you get an improvement. I don't think I'd use it for more then 4hrs/day, like Weezard said it ain't good for plants either (in large amounts).

And hey, isn't marijuana man believeable, he's like a true profesor in his lectures. Plus he uses some common sense. Also, his take on THC claims...gotta luv it.


Nice way to put it, believable, I like that.
Damning with faint praise. I like that a lot.

Stoner assumption are quite amusing but science, they ain't.

Neither are my anecdotes and observations.

My THC levels in meds grown without a trace of UV do not prove that UV is worthless, just that it is not neccessary for potent bud, yah?

I thought that 'Shake was asking if being in the tent with the UVb for ~5 hours was safe. :eek:
Had me worried for his safety or I would have kept my nose out.
Thanks for leaving a more rational reply. You do have a way with words ya ol' fart.;)

Aloha nui
Weeze

[gr8budz4me]

NO! You should stay out of your grow during your UVB cycle as it's not good to get any UVB exposure. With mild exposure it can cause minor sunburn discomfort. Prolonged exposure can cause skin cancer. Any exposure to your eyes is harmful and prolonged exposure can cause blindness! Having said all that... UVB can make a significant difference in the dankness of your bud. Is it necessary for growing great bud? No but it does help imho. It simply stresses your girls into doing more glandular production which is the marijuana plant's "sunscreen."

I first started looking into UVB in 2005 and at the time I found a Dutch study that cited a specific Philips medical UVB T12 fluoro tube that had been used to augment HID lighting on flowering marijuana. The study showed significant increases in the production of trichomes and THC content. After searching the internet I found medical bulb suppliers. Ordering one of these turned out not to be as easy as calling it in. These bulbs are sold with a prescription for UVB skin therapy for people with psoriasis. They have to be used for either medical use with prescription or for industrial use. I had to fax them a waiver stating that no humans would be exposed to the lamps and they sold them to me.

I put them into my bloom closet, slowly starting out at an hour for a few days, then two, then three up til they were at 5 hours exposure in the middle of their day for the rest of the show. You notice a bit of a "weathering" effect on the plant with some slight discoloration. Within days there is a definite increase in goo production. At that time I had a 600w Hortilux HPS along with the same 6-lamp T5 and my new harvest was noticably more dank than buds of the same strain and bloom closet conditions minus the UVB I had for comparison from past shows.

UVB is for the experienced grower who has all his ducks already in a row and would like to experiment with an esoteric lighting approach. If you don't respect UVB and it's dangers it will hurt you. Be careful and good luck.

Peace!

[headshake]

thanks everyone. i think i'm gonna leave the uvb alone for now. i'll work on getting all my other aspects to top notch.

thanks again.


-shake

[nomadinexile]

IMO, if you will be there long, turn that light off, or get full protective glasses. Make sure they block UV radiation. Also, make sure they cover your side vision. If you look up black light sales online, you will find cheap "worker" ones. You can also use good sunglasses. Jublo mountaineering glasses would work well, especially the ones with the leather side shield. They will cost a hundred bucks though. You can get the plastic ones for like $5. Good luck. I think the Amber colored are better for UV but I could be wrong about that.


Edit: Or just not use it, hehhe

[nomadinexile]

I use a Led Black light flashlight on a fairly regular basis to hunt scorpions. I use it for about 2 hours a week minimum. Sometimes 8 if I take a trip to the desert. Of course you can't look at the light. It's 49 5mm 390nm (i think 390)
and can light up a street sign from 200+ feet away. I can see a small scorpion from 15-20 feet.

The only time it bothers me is when I am in a fairly reflective environment for a while, (granite stinks), of coarse, it is not good long term. But I realize the risk I take and just try and minimize it as much as possible. One repti bulb won't burn out your eyes if you don't look directly at it, and wear sunglasses, and don't hang out and meditate in there. If you do that, you should skip it for sure.