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Encanto Farms Nursery > Topics > Tanning Bed Lights ?????
 
 


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dkirtexas

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Posted Reply with quote  #1 
Anyone know anything about using tanning bed lights for growing/heat?
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Danny K "EL CAZADOR DE HIGO"
Waskom Tx Zone 7B/8

Wish list: anything anyone wants me to have. LSU RED.  Any LSU fig.
SCfigFanatic

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Posted Reply with quote  #2 
seems like the right color spectrum is there.
intensity will be good as well.
can you get a light meter app for android and test lux output
at different distance from bulbs?
I for sure think I would try it.
Checking power consumption would be good to know too.
Doug
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dkirtexas

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Posted Reply with quote  #3 
Thx

I have been given a 6 tube tanning bed and I think it will work for cuttings, if not it would work for heat as the bulbs are 100w.
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Thx, glad to be here

Danny K "EL CAZADOR DE HIGO"
Waskom Tx Zone 7B/8

Wish list: anything anyone wants me to have. LSU RED.  Any LSU fig.
DatesNFigs

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Posted Reply with quote  #4 
No clue if the spectrum/lumens is correct for growing, but it's been my experience that those beds tend to get awfully hot pretty quick. I'd run some tests to make sure you don't bake your cuttings after sitting under those lights for a few hours. 
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Drew
Zone 7b - Queens NYC
dkirtexas

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Posted Reply with quote  #5 
As you should with any new light/heat source.

The amount of heat recvd by the plants is controlled with the distance from the source, in my case I have 10ft ceiling in my greenhouse.  In addition, I also have all my lighting on timers.
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Thx, glad to be here

Danny K "EL CAZADOR DE HIGO"
Waskom Tx Zone 7B/8

Wish list: anything anyone wants me to have. LSU RED.  Any LSU fig.
SCfigFanatic

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Posted Reply with quote  #6 
I would try it.

:)

Doug
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EB18702

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Posted Reply with quote  #7 
I think those tanning lights will be really heavy in the UV spectrums. I heard of uv-a, uv-b. i don't know if this amount of extended spectrum will be beneficial. I have to look into tanning lights to see there specs. I have never heard of anyone doing this lol. Possible benefits towards the end of year with fruit. I'd like to hear how this turns out.
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Growing: DK, VdB, Brown Turkey, Hardy Chicago, Black Mission, Verte, Negronne, Natalina BI, U. Italian Yellow BI , U. Yellow Greek AD, U. South Plainfield, U. Orangeburg 
U. Carini RG,
Rooting: Prosciutto, Naples Dark, Azores Dark, Columbaro Nero, De La Tira, I376, Des Roig Manyo, Greek Church U.

Wishlist: ANY PEACH OR PLUM SCION PLEASE PM ME. Smith, any in ground figs for zone 6.
Erik
zone 6A northeast Pa
rcantor

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Posted Reply with quote  #8 
Tanning beds are UVA.  They're the least efficient way of getting light and heat to your plants.  Most plants can use UVA but it's not your best light single source
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Zone 6, MO

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Galicia Negra, De La Reina - Pons, Genovese Nero - Rafed's, Sbayi, Souadi, Acciano, Any Rimada, Sodus Sicilian, any Bass, Pons or Axier fig, any great tasting fig.
SCfigFanatic

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Posted Reply with quote  #9 
UV lighting is beneficial on killing bacteria and mold.
It may not be the perfect source of light but I still think it would work better
than standard florescent bulbs. His bulbs are 100 watt.

Doug
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EB18702

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Posted Reply with quote  #10 
I'd like to see both side by side tested. My assumption is the same wattage t8 t5 or even 12 will outperform the tanning lights. But maybe a blend of the two would work when you are trying to prevent mold. Like starting cuttings. So maybe just one tanning light thrown in the mix might be enough to combat mold issues. When flourecent lights get old or there coating deteriorates they start throwing out more UV light.

Warning if your using any UV light source. Make sure you wear some type of eye protection. UV is known to damage your eyes. So anyone experimenting with this or any bright LED or conventional lighting please protect your eyes. there are some expensive grow light glasses out there. Just a regular cheap pair of sun glasses should provide you with some protection though. Be safe guys.
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Growing: DK, VdB, Brown Turkey, Hardy Chicago, Black Mission, Verte, Negronne, Natalina BI, U. Italian Yellow BI , U. Yellow Greek AD, U. South Plainfield, U. Orangeburg 
U. Carini RG,
Rooting: Prosciutto, Naples Dark, Azores Dark, Columbaro Nero, De La Tira, I376, Des Roig Manyo, Greek Church U.

Wishlist: ANY PEACH OR PLUM SCION PLEASE PM ME. Smith, any in ground figs for zone 6.
Erik
zone 6A northeast Pa
rcantor

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Posted Reply with quote  #11 
Only UVC kills germs.  UVA does not.
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Zone 6, MO

Wish list:
Galicia Negra, De La Reina - Pons, Genovese Nero - Rafed's, Sbayi, Souadi, Acciano, Any Rimada, Sodus Sicilian, any Bass, Pons or Axier fig, any great tasting fig.
SCfigFanatic

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Posted Reply with quote  #12 
Tanning lights are UVB from a quick search on line.

When I searched google for "can tanning lights be used for grow lights"
It showed lots of useful information.
My biggest concern would be operating cost at 12-14 hours a day.
The light was free, no harm in trying it if he likes.

Doug
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